Do Not Compete with Google Maps: Okay, Apple, Roll Over. Die.

June 5, 2011

I write columns for money. I try to come up with new angles because the amount of information, the number of pundits, and the near instantaneous musings of SEO experts, fan boys, and cats’ paws leaves few rhetorical stones unturned. As a result, I point out some wacky ideas, offer my views, document the source, and move on.

The article “Google Maps: Five Reasons that Apple, Others Shouldn’t Even Try to Compete” reminded me of some of the campaign rhetoric from the last presidential election. On the surface, the idea seems worth considering. Then, after a few moments of thought, the assertion is downright crazy. More about this wackiness in a moment.

The gist of the write up is that Google is the Amerigo Vespucci of Silicon Valley. If you are not Amerigo, find a new line of work. The dude is the cartographer to die for. Here’s a snippet that captures this notion:

Google has raised the bar to a level where any other mapping product that hits the market will have to invest in building something that’s more than just a map and more like a map platform. It would be a rough road – and a silly one to venture on for Apple – seeing how Google has raised the bar so high.

This logic ranks with such gems as “Everything that can be invented has been invented,” attributed to Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents, in 1899.

Assume the logic of this write up is spot on. Then why is Google emulating Apple, trying to catch Facebook, and working to insinuate itself into the enterprise? Oh, maybe that’s different?

My thought is that a little Google love may be noticed in Mountain View. Here is Harrod’s Creek, the write up is one indication why “real” journalists should run for office. The verbal approach is darned similar. What is good for the goose is just good for the goose. Apple, just get out of Google’s way. Better yet just give up. Roll over. Die even. I wonder who wants a gig at the GOOG?

Stephen E Arnold, June 5, 2011

Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, the resource for enterprise search information and current news about data fusion

Written by Stephen E. Arnold · Filed Under Business strategy, Google, Marketing, News

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Stephen E. Arnold monitors search, content processing, text mining and related topics from his high-tech nerve center in rural Kentucky. He tries to winnow the goose feathers from the giblets. He works with colleagues worldwide to make this Web log useful to those who want to go "beyond search". Contact him at sa [at] arnoldit.com. His Web site with additional information about search is arnoldit.com.