Should Apple become a Google "clone?"

[moonman239]

I think it would be cool if Apple had the same kinds of products as Google. They already share two things in common - both are in the mobile industry and both offer free e-mail accounts.

But, if Apple had their own search engine, they could make a lot more money off of advertising and drive a lot of iPhone, iPad and iMac users away from Google products.

If Apple ran their own maps, they could have complete control over them. They could make the Maps app on iPhone and iPad better than the one on Android, without Google's permission. One thing I like about Android's Maps app is that it has voice navigation.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Demosthenes X]

Apple and Google have very different business models. I can certainly see the two having more overlap in the future, but I don't think we'll see Apple become a Google "clone".

Google offers features and services to sell ads. Gmail is just a way to gather user information and sell targeted ads.

Apple offers features to sell hardware: iCloud is pretty much a way to sell more iPhones, iPads, and (with Mountain Lion) Macs. It's all about locking people into the Apple hardware ecosystem. iCloud is a lot less compelling if you use an Android or Blackberry phone... Gmail is equally good no matter which OS you use.

So yeah, there will be overlap. I think maps/navigation is a prime example of a place we'll see Apple enter and compete with Google on. But they'll do it in a way that sells iOS devices and Macs, not in a way that competes with Google on search.

(FWIW, Apple already has a "search engine" of sorts in Siri, and it's nothing like Google search).

 

[cambookpro]

Predominately, Apple is a hardware company, and Google is a software company.

I can't really see that ever changing.

 

[boss.king]

(FWIW, Apple already has a "search engine" of sorts in Siri, and it's nothing like Google search).

doesn't siri just take your request and run it through W&A etc?

 

[BigQid]

Apple doesn't need to clone Google they need to make Siri better than Google. Right now Siri is a cool idea that works half the time. They need to look at the searches that Siri is getting wrong and start answering those questions. They go about Google style or Quora style but one way or another answers need to get awesome. I want to be able to ask Siri when does the next Bulls game come on and have her be smart enough to tell me the time, date, and local channel number. Apple's goal should be to relegate Google to searches for obscure tidbits of information rather than common search.

 

[KnightWRX]

Apple doesn't need to clone Google they need to make Siri better than Google. Right now Siri is a cool idea that works half the time. They need to look at the searches that Siri is getting wrong and start answering those questions. They go about Google style or Quora style but one way or another answers need to get awesome. I want to be able to ask Siri when does the next Bulls game come on and have her be smart enough to tell me the time, date, and local channel number. Apple's goal should be to relegate Google to searches for obscure tidbits of information rather than common search.

Siri is not a search engine. It uses other search engines to get the information, it's all it is a front-end.

 

[Feed Me]

Becoming a google clone would be a horrible idea. Apple currently makes more profit each quarter than Google makes gross revenue. Advertising does bring in lots of money, but it's nothing compared to hardware sales.

In search, I don't think Apple feels that compelled to compete. There isn't much of a benefit to be had. With maps, it makes more sense for Apple to develop (or buy out) a platform, but I still don't think it's a big thing for Apple.

 

[ucfgrad93]

Becoming a google clone would be a horrible idea. Apple currently makes more profit each quarter than Google makes gross revenue. Advertising does bring in lots of money, but it's nothing compared to hardware sales.

In search, I don't think Apple feels that compelled to compete. There isn't much of a benefit to be had. With maps, it makes more sense for Apple to develop (or buy out) a platform, but I still don't think it's a big thing for Apple.

Agreed. Apple should not get distracted by trying to start a bank, out Google Google, etc.

 

[Suno]

I can't imagine an Apple version of Bing. I mean, I'm an all around PC-Apple lover, but I can't stand that monstrosity. Even if Apple comes out with their own search engine, I'm just going to stick with Google.

Also, unless they buy out a previous map company like mapquest, it's going to cost them a ton of money to develop their own map app from the ground up.

 

[satcomer]

To the original poster: Absolutely NOT!

 

[808?]

Why would Apple need too?

Apple is already more than twice the value of Google.

 

[Demosthenes X]

doesn't siri just take your request and run it through W&A etc?

Yes. And that's kind of my point. I think Siri is, in a lot of ways, Apple's take on a search engine. Instead of receiving a query and returning a list of webpages with similar keywords, it takes a query, determines the best tool to use to find an answer, feeds the information into that tool, and returns a result.

It's a different kind of search engine from Google entirely... hence why I don't see Apple becoming a Google clone.

 

[boss.king]

Yes. And that's kind of my point. I think Siri is, in a lot of ways, Apple's take on a search engine. Instead of receiving a query and returning a list of webpages with similar keywords, it takes a query, determines the best tool to use to find an answer, feeds the information into that tool, and returns a result.

It's a different kind of search engine from Google entirely... hence why I don't see Apple becoming a Google clone.

It's different from a search engine in the same way a desk and a football are different; they're not the same thing. It may be Apples take on a search engine, but that doesn't make it a search engine. I understand what you are trying to say, but I completely disagree.