Napalm in the Morning, Math Club Warfare
March 21, 2010
I enjoyed “Hope You Enjoy the Smell of Napalm in the Morning”. The write up does a good job of sucking the marrow from the bones of a New York Times article. In addition, the story knits together several threads; for example, Apple’s violation of the unspoken “we don’t steal one another’s employees” rule. Anyone ever hear about a Math Club honoring an agreement not to throw a test so the golf and tennis players could score an easy A?
My view of the matter is:
- Google is in me-too mode. I am reminded of the Google’s flattery of Yahoo and Overture. I refer to the Google AdWords system, which remains Google’s main source of cash. This bit of flattery had a price tag, and no one seemed to think much of the emulation in the crazy period before the Google IPO. Well, the DNA of imitation is in the protein of the Google.
- Apple has an advantage and Google is under intense pressure within its quick recall team to find a solution. Apple has pulled off a walled garden hardware and software ecosystem. Android is making progress in hardware, but Apple has the lucrative music market and may be poised to snatch video from Googzilla’s jaws. Apple is shipping and Google is Googling. Time may be running out.
- Google seems to have rising blood pressure. Apple, on the other hand, seems to be pretty cool. The company is not resting by the pool and sipping weird drinks. But compared to the pre Jobs days, Apple is on a roll. Even the vaporish iPad seems to be grabbing headlines and content owner love. Google, in contrast, is vilified by China, Viacom, and folks who are concerned about Google’s approach to privacy, AdSense revenue shares, and the company’s “we know better” attitude.
In short, napalm in the math club. Who will get torched?
Stephen E Arnold, March 21, 2010
A freebie. Since I mention fire, I will report non payment to the National Park Service. Smokey may come out of retirement to help me chop wood to pay my bills. Ooops. Not too many forests left.
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