Declaration of war as Google CEO Schmidt quits Apple board

Davey Winder
Tuesday, 04 August 2009 01:10

Business IT - Technology

Schmidt is probably not buying it either, and I suspect it might have been the straw that broke the CEO's back as far as continuing to sleep with the enemy was concerned. A decision that is likely to be beneficial to Google and could cost Apple dearly.

Why so? Well Apple has had Google to thank along the way for at least some of the success of the iPhone as far as consumers are concerned. Think about it, where would the iPhone be without YouTube, Google Maps, Google search and so on?

By increasingly kicking Google to the kerb in terms of native application access, Apple could have picked upon the wrong kid to try and bully in this particular playground. Google ain't the skinny ginger kid for a start, and is not short of influential friends for a finish.

Will Schmidt be crying in the corner now that Apple is not his bestest friend? I doubt it. Rather I suspect he will be playing more and more with the likes of Research in Motion for example. After all, Google Voice can go native on BlackBerry without a fight.

More importantly, as Android continues to get a grip I think you will find Google playing with itself more and more. Why should it bring the best of Google apps to the likes of Apple? Why should iPhone users have the best Google experience going forward?

Much more likely that the best Google experience will be found on Android handsets within the shortest of timeframes. The second best experience will be with the rest of the smart phone pack, all of whom will be queuing up to make friends.

Which leaves Apple and the iPhone looking like the school bully which nobody likes. Apple has been accused of being cocky before now, and has made some very bizarre decisions.

But could entering a full on war with Google be one of the most arrogant, and ultimately most stupid, things that Steve Jobs has ever done?