Is Google the new Apple?

[DoctorWho]

Now, I know this thread will cause a lot of controversy (and who doesn't love to play devil's advocate? ) and I am NOT suggesting that Apple is going to crumble and go bankrupt any time soon, but given the amount of buzz surrounding I/O and the pace that Google is releasing innovative new products, do you think Apple's time at the top is over?

Personally, this 'new' Google reminds me so much of the 'old' (just after Steve's comeback) Apple - exciting new products, major innovations, major changes.

After having recently made the switch to Android, I'm pretty excited about what Google has in store for the future. As a long time Mac/iOS user, I'm also excited/hopeful about what Apple has in store, too.

What do you guys think?

 

[lordofthereef]

I have never been more excited about what Google is doing. I have never been less excited about what Apple is doing. I think a lot of what you say makes sense. We are, however, supposed to see an overhaul of iOS in this upcoming release of iOS 7. This is something that we have seen numerous times on Android, but never on iOS (if we are to believe the rumors in how different iOS is to look and feel). I will have a more solid opinion once I get to see what Apple has come up with. If all we get is a facelift and nothing novel, I'd say Google has the one-up on Apple this revision. Both companies are in a pretty good place though. The differentiator is going to be software, as far as I can tell.

 

[DoctorWho]

You make a good point. Apple not only needs to change the UI of iOS, but also needs to continue innovating on the features side as well. From where we are now, it really feels like they haven't done much of that lately. Software and services are really where it's all at, and Google has done a lot to catch up to (and perhaps even leapfrog) what Apple has done. Having said that, I can't wait for WWDC to see what they've come up with! Who knows, they might tempt me back to the iPhone

 

[Switchback666]

I think its more of the vibe Google have going at the moment, they are doing a lot if new "end-user" products than ever before and people love new stuff.

Things like this make me sad whe cant live forever imagine how things will be next !

 

[NewAnger]

In the past, I couldn't wait to hear what Apple was coming up with next. When the iPhone 5 was announced, I just couldn't get excited over it. Since then, there really hasn't been anything coming but I guess we'll be hearing something in June.

Yesterday, I actually watched the live stream of the IO keynote and although it was mainly aimed at devs, it was still interesting and I was excited to try out the new streaming service.

I seem to be more excited about what I can do on my Nexus 7 tablet lately then what I can do on my 4S.

Google seems to be doing a lot of great things. I hate to hear people saying that Google is just trying out different things to see what works but that's no different than what Apple has done in the past, think Ping and Mobile Me as examples.

I signed up for the streaming service on my Nexus 4. I then upgraded my Nexus 7s music app and opened it and it already knew I was signed up and was ready to go. I couldn't do that with iTunes Match on two iPhones, I had to login on each.

 

[DoctorWho]

I hate to hear people saying that Google is just trying out different things to see what works but that's no different than what Apple has done in the past, think Ping and Mobile Me as examples.

I don't understand people when they say this! Really, the only way to come up with new products and innovations is to try out new things! Imagine how boring life would be if none of us experimented with new ideas and inventions. Not all of the things they try out will be successful, but that's part of innovation! In the words of the movie 'Meet the Robinsons' - "Keep moving forward!"

 

[lordofthereef]

I don't understand people when they say this! Really, the only way to come up with new products and innovations is to try out new things! Imagine how boring life would be if none of us experimented with new ideas and inventions. Not all of the things they try out will be successful, but that's part of innovation! In the words of the movie 'Meet the Robinsons' - "Keep moving forward!"

People make such claims because Google tends to try more of these things (publicly) than Apple does. I think it's an image thing. Google clearly isn;t afraid to let the world know "we tried, we failed, but at least we tried". Apple, from my eyes, doesn't like the "we failed" part. ANything that the end user sees from Apple is something that Apple very, VERY much thinks will be successful.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Google and Apple co exist and provide similar services. Apple are a hardware and software manufacturer and Google predominately provide software with little dabbles into hardware. Apple are more established in the hardware market therefore I'd say Google have quite a way to go before they claim the same mantle. Both are huge companies and are good at what they do presently.

 

[Faux Carnival]

And they haven't even announced the new major version of Android yet!

 

[SMDBill]

I think Google is on a similar path of innovation that Apple was on. Aside from the watch we've heard about, Apple has been profiting pretty heavily on modifying their existing product line to meet customer demands. They've done a great job of it and I really like what they have to offer, but as they've tweaked current products with technological improvements (retina, Thunderbolt), other companies have continued to innovate.

The fact that Google introduced an awesome laptop that is neck and neck with a Macbook Pro (unibody aluminum, higher resolution screen) should have at least kicked Apple in the pants to get back to innovation and continue to adapt the current product line. Where Apple still remains ahead is OSX because Chrome OS simply isn't a competitor in its current iteration, but Google continues to work it and is heavily working on getting native apps to work offline so the gap will continue to close. Whether they can close it or not, I doubt they can but Chrome OS is built on Linux (kernel) and they're probably the only player out there who could single handedly bring Linux to the desktop in a way the public would widely accept and use, assuming they can get the technology in place to natively use the most demanded software (MS Office, iTunes, Adobe's Creative Suite, and others). If they can do those things, Apple will have some serious work to do to stay ahead on the technology front of PC's.

What may hold Google back is management. They are diversified in technology in so many ways that at some point they will feel like they are fighting a beauracracy of the likes of Verizon, AT&T, Exxon Mobile, etc. Unless they retain the type of leadership to keep the organization flat, fluid and adaptable, they could very well stifle their own abilities just by growing too quickly and too large. They don't appear to be near that point so it's still exciting to see "what's next" with them.

 

[Tarzanman]

Is Google the new Apple?

Geez, I hope not. It would break my heart to see Google sink to the money-grubbing, trash-talking, sue-happy, vain depths that is (and always has been) Apple.

Do you think Apple's time at the top is over?

That depends on what you mean. What is Apple the 'top' of? They don't sell the most phones, they don't sell the most computers, and they don't have the most used OS. They do sell the most music and they have the most sold single model of smart phone. They aren't going anywhere anytime soon. They will hover around in the top echelon of computer hardware vendors for many years to come.

Personally, this 'new' Google reminds me so much of the 'old' (just after Steve's comeback) Apple - exciting new products, major innovations, major changes.

Nah. The major difference is that Google isn't pushing hardware technology forward. Google has always been a company whose main business is software. They only got into the hardware business to make their software ubiquitous. Apple is mostly opposite... they make software in order to sell their hardware (though, they are attempting to adjust this balance).

Google hasn't had to be as brash as Apple in terms of betting millions of dollars on a new technology or idea. They put something in beta (like Gmail, or Google Maps, or Google Wave) and have time to see if it sticks without having to finance massive rollouts or retool manufacturing facilities.

At the end of the day, Google only needs eyeballs on their web pages or apps in order to sell access to their user base. Apple needs to get people to pony up $$ for their hardware, software or services. This is the main reason that Apple must be so much more aggressive going after the consumer... they have to convince you to open your wallet!

After having recently made the switch to Android, I'm pretty excited about what Google has in store for the future. As a long time Mac/iOS user, I'm also excited/hopeful about what Apple has in store, too.

I am an Android user since the G1. Even so, I am curious to see where Apple will go. They have way more long term challenges than people realize. Their mobile hardware profits will inevitably languish. I don't know the details of the T-mobile deal, but Sprint made a bad decision giving up so much $$ to secure the iPhone. Neither Samsung, nor HTC are ceding any advantage to the iPhone in terms of mobile hardware or software. Then there is LG, Motorola, Sony, Asus..... and THEN you have Blackberry and Microsoft/Nokia chomping at the bit for users.

No carrier with any sense is going to give Apple a sweetheart deal at this point. This means that they will either have to cede profits or market share (for the time being , it seems that Apple has chosen to cede market share).

I am unsure what a new iPhone can bring to the table. There isn't much that hasn't been tried. Tablets that fold out into computers... phones that link up to laptops, wearable computing glasses or watches? At this point, the software seems to matter more than the memory or MHz.

Dunno. Time will tell.

 

[Snarl]

I think Google might be just the push Apple needs in some areas to keep them on their toes.

 

[zbarvian]

Google and Apple are so fundamentally different that it's hard to compare them. Apple does what they do best, namely hardware and software design. Google does what only Google can do, namely data collection and services. I think both will continue to coexist until Google starts taking design more seriously, whereas Apple is already so late to the web and backend stuff. That's why I think it's more likely for Google to succeed in the long run. I just hate how they really want to own everything technology-related, and how unfocused they are at times. If you think of any branch of consumer technology, there's none Google hasn't at some point meddled with.

 

[Stuntman06]

I don't understand the last option in your poll. What does both companies co-existing has anything to do with whether or not Google is the new Apple?

 

[jrswizzle]

Google is NOT the new Apple for one incredibly obvious reason....

They have two COMPLETELY different business models.

Apple is a software/hardware company first and foremost. They make money by getting people to buy their devices, and in turn use their services.

Google on the other hand is a data company. They make money by putting their services on as many devices as possible in order to gain more data from their increasing user base.

*disclaimer* I am making NO statement regarding one being better than the other. Only pointing out the differences. I like both companies and am excited where each is taking us.

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Google and Apple are so fundamentally different that it's hard to compare them. Apple does what they do best, namely hardware and software design. Google does what only Google can do, namely data collection and services. I think both will continue to coexist until Google starts taking design more seriously, whereas Apple is already so late to the web and backend stuff. That's why I think it's more likely for Google to succeed in the long run. I just hate how they really want to own everything technology-related, and how unfocused they are at times. If you think of any branch of consumer technology, there's none Google hasn't at some point meddled with.

I got beat to the punch apparently

QFT.

 

[lordofthereef]

Google is NOT the new Apple for one incredibly obvious reason....

They have two COMPLETELY different business models.

Apple is a software/hardware company first and foremost. They make money by getting people to buy their devices, and in turn use their services.

Google on the other hand is a data company. They make money by putting their services on as many devices as possible in order to gain more data from their increasing user base.

*disclaimer* I am making NO statement regarding one being better than the other. Only pointing out the differences. I like both companies and am excited where each is taking us.

I think you are looking at this in the more literal sense, whereas the OP was looking at it (again, I think) in the broader sense.

 

[jrswizzle]

I think you are looking at this in the more literal sense, whereas the OP was looking at it (again, I think) in the broader sense.

I think the literal sense plays into the broader sense in that Apple and Google have very different paths given they have two different business models.

Apple will have to adapt differently than Google does, and each can do things the other can't. They are also loved/hated for different reasons.

If all you're talking about is sheer popularity, I think that ship sailed long ago.....its been ages since iOS held a majority marketshare.

Now asking if Samsung is the new Apple leads to an entirely different discussion.

 

[tjl3]

Time at the top in terms of profitability and value, no I don't think their time is over. And while Google is teasing us w/ their new hardware products, we are really jumping the gun on, I believe. They have a while to go before both products are practical (in terms of price and capability).

 

[cynics]

Sorry I'm late guys!!

DDDDOOOOOOMMMMMEEEDDDDD!!!

 

[Night Spring]

Can I just point out that the poll is set up wrong? You can select more than one response.

 

[lordofthereef]

I think the literal sense plays into the broader sense in that Apple and Google have very different paths given they have two different business models.

Apple will have to adapt differently than Google does, and each can do things the other can't. They are also loved/hated for different reasons.

If all you're talking about is sheer popularity, I think that ship sailed long ago.....its been ages since iOS held a majority marketshare.

Now asking if Samsung is the new Apple leads to an entirely different discussion.

I am talking WAYYYYYY broad here though. As in, "Apple is currently the richest single company on earth. Will Google take reigns and eventually crush them?" THAT is the kind of broad I was thinking. MS made Apple largely irrelevent in the PC market, though it didn't happen overnight. Will Google do the same in the mobile computing market? Currently, that is far from a reality, obviously.

 

[Switchback666]

Microsoft is the new apple

 

[DoctorWho]

I don't understand the last option in your poll. What does both companies co-existing has anything to do with whether or not Google is the new Apple?

I suppose what I mean by that question is "Will Google replace Apple as 'the' company that everyone looks toward in terms of innovation, or will they both continue to be successful side by side?". Hope that makes sense.

 

[irDigital0l]

Maybe in the future.

There will be categories that Apple will never beat or compete with Google. Search is the obvious one. Look at Google Glasses, Maps, and other more innovative projects they're doing like driverless cars. Those things interest Google, Apple not so much.

Apple already made its impact in the world, its not going to make impacts forever. I expect eventually new companies will take over.

 

[DoctorWho]

Sorry I'm late guys!!

DDDDOOOOOOMMMMMEEEDDDDD!!!

I don't know if anybody is trying to say that (I certainly wasn't).

I think that IF Google become the new 'gold standard' for innovation, that Apple will continue to exist in some form or another, it just may be that they won't be as admired as they were/are now.

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Can I just point out that the poll is set up wrong? You can select more than one response.

You would be right about that, sorry. Not sure how to change it.