Apple and Google Destined for More Nasty Spats?
June 20, 2012
Google is Athens, Apple is Sparta, and the two are doomed to fight their own Peloponnesian War. That’s the viewpoint of Datamation’s “Why Google and Apple Are Now Enemies.” Writer Mike Elgan makes a pretty convincing argument for the comparison:
“Like Athens and Sparta, Google and Apple represent totally different cultures — Google is radically open and experimental. Apple is closed and controlling, but disciplined, focused and obsessed by its own sense of superiority.
“Like Athens, Google is the everything company. . . .
“Ultimately, Apple wants to dominate just one thing: The premium, high-quality ‘sweet spot’ experience for content creation and content consumption.
“And like Sparta, Apple expects to control what it controls totally, and for others to stay out of Apple’s business. Rivals who challenge Apple for dominance on its own territory are to be crushed.
“Like Athens, Google can’t help constantly expanding its scope until it inevitably overlaps into Apple’s spheres of influence.”
The metaphor continues, and makes for an interesting comparison. (Facebook plays the Persians.) The two companies used to be friends, but that was when their spheres complimented each other. Things are different now. See the article for a bit of history, and for some of the ways each company has struck blows against the other.
Elgan says he is all for healthy competition, but fears that Apple has become obsessed with the conflict and is making irrational choices. Google might find itself forced to respond in kind. Will these city states ultimately destroy one another?
Cynthia Murrell, June 20, 2012
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