You may have got the news about Apple’s historical win over Samsung in the recent lawsuit concerning infringement of iPhone’s design patents. People have been speculating ever since about a possible legal battle between Apple and Google regarding features in their mobile operating systems, iOS and Android respectively.
In the meanwhile, Motorola of Google filed a patent lawsuit against Apple (yes!) But we are not dealing with that in here.
Apple’s former CEO, deceased Steve Jobs had been talking ferociously about Android ever since it had made its appearance. It’s his opinion that Android is an outright copy of iOS and he will do anything in his power to bring it down; the battle could go ‘thermonuclear’ if it was up to him. Here's a comparison of iOS and Android.
Apple had been very quiet and discreet about this issue even after the release of several devices and new versions of iOS and Android. But now, Apple picked a fight with Samsung regarding some design issues some of which are centered on the Android architecture. There are reasons why Apple wouldn't dare do a legal fight with Google. However, many people speculate that a head-on lawsuit may come forth in the very near future.
Google’s subsidiary, Android operating system was first created by Android Inc., in 2003, a long way before even the development of iOS started. Google acquired Android Inc., in 2005, thus giving the world a hint about its impending jump into the mobile OS business. Apple’s iOS was originally announced in the beginning of 2007, and since then it has been powering iPhone, iPad, and the latest iPod Touch.
Before Google actually announced a mobile platform later in the year 2007, it had created an alliance with a number of companies in the mobile communication world to create a consortium known as the Open Handset Alliance. Right now, this alliance is a co-owner of Android operating system, and it has over 84 companies as members. If Apple goes against Google about Android, it will actually put itself in the hit list of these 84 companies, which include some heavyweights like Samsung, Google, Intel, Texas Instruments, HTC, LG, T-Mobile, Sprint, Qualcomm, etc.
The OHA doesn’t only include part suppliers of Apple for its products, but also mobile carriers who promote iDevices. They all make products that are directly or indirectly involved with Android operating system. It’s a bad risk for Apple to go against them.
Android is open-source; it’s given to the hardware developers for free. There is a reason behind this. Google wants to incorporate as many entities into its domain as possible. With an open-source operating system, anyone can get into the code and develop a version of the operating system that suits its customers. This is the reason why Samsung has its own TouchWiz user interface and HTC has Sense UI overlaid on the basic Android interface. If you want to see the actual interface of Android, you should look at a Google device, such as one belonging to the Nexus series, such as Google Nexus 4.
On a court case between Apple and Google, the latter probably will be able to show that Android is not a direct moneymaker for them. Also, they can probably prove to a jury that the user interface features of Android can be tweaked by any company that creates hardware based on the operating system. Here’s a quote from Google:
Besides this, there are several features that Apple iOS has copied from Android.
Google gives great support for iOS with a lot of apps—Search, Gmail, Maps, Google+, YouTube, etc. These are extremely popular products. Google earns a major share of its revenue from free distribution of these products with ads.
Now, anyone knows how important these apps are on any mobile device. A good number of iPhone users love the fact that the device has support for these applications. What if on a fine day Google announces that it will not support iPhone anymore? It will badly hit the iPhone sales.
In accordance with Apple’s philosophy of creating hardware and software in-house, they have recently created their own Maps to replace Google’s product. Apple may be able to get some upper hand with this product on iDevices. We will see more about it below.
Gmail is a feature unmatched by any other app in iOS. It has huge fan following and based on initial reactions, even Microsoft’s Outlook.com will not be able to dethrone Gmail as the number one email provider in the world. Losing support for Gmail on any of their products is not in Apple’s best interests.
I accept Google+ is not as popular as Facebook or Twitter, and it’s doubtful that it will ever be. Still, Google Plus is the third most popular social network with around 170 million users. It will be a gamble for both companies to do away with this service on iPhone.
The one thing that baffled me is why Apple came up with a Maps feature of its own by employing cartographers and designers and spending millions. The initial reviews of Apple Maps are positive. For a new product, it works brilliantly—so do all Apple products. [Update: It is no longer the case now; Apple Maps has a lot of gaffes]
Google used to provide the Maps feature for iOS for such a long time. And Google’s product is not broke. If it ain’t broke, why fix it? I think Apple is on a mission to gradually create its own apps to counter the ones provided by Google for iOS. It will take time, but Apple may reach there. If ever that happens, a lawsuit at that point of time will put Apple at an advantage. What do you think?
Apple will make it sure that Google gets less revenue from the next iPhone by incorporating its own Maps instead of Google’s. Maps is a great revenue source for Google, and Apple wants to tap into it. However, this comes at a price. Apple’s market research might have found out that the tradeoff between using its own Maps and losing some customers due to that will actually create some profit. I say that’s a bad move as time will tell.
On the other hand, there is another speculation going on; Google could actually go up against Apple for creating Maps that looks and feels a lot like Google’s. It will pave way to a lot of speculation about the future.
On any day, the release of Apple iPhone is a big event. Any new version of the device will sell in millions in the opening week itself. However, many people that buy iPhone, buy it for these reasons—the iOS App Store, Apple brand and build quality. It’s not because they don’t know that there are far superior products out there. From Samsung, HTC, LG, and others, you can get more hardware features at lower price.
iPhone 4S has only a 3.5 inch screen; even with Retina Display, it is only just enough for browsing and watching movies. However, there are Samsung devices like the Galaxy Note that created the new term, ‘phablet’ indicating the presence of a huge screen. They have a great display technology as well—AMOLED that saves more power than the iPhone display.
Siri has been a great reason why iPhone 4S became a huge hit. But now, nobody talks about Siri, do they? Android has very competitive voice recognition programs that you can use just like Siri.
As the time goes by, people will realize they have been paying too much for a device that gives just ordinary features.
Google products for iOS should continue to be supported in the future. If a lawsuit comes up between these giants, it should not be due to certain small design similarities found in their operating systems. In fact, certain features like pinch-to-zoom should be converted into a standard as it gives people enhanced user experience. It shouldn’t be made the sole property of a particular brand or operating system. Imagine what the world would be like if Google offered its search only on Android.
Apple is in fact bold, very, very bold. That’s why it went up against Samsung. Hence, it should not be plainly assumed that they will be frightened to go against Google. They have the backup of a huge community and hell a lot of money. This actually may make Google take a little protection themselves, by editing any Android feature that could risk a patent infringement.
It’s high time to say whether Apple will go up against Google or not. However, to know further about this, you should wait till iPhone 5 gets released and see how Google reacts to the developments afterwards. Google should wait a little before it releases software patches and updates for iDevices. Also, Apple’s new products will indicate if its move ahead is aggressive or not.
In the meanwhile, Motorola of Google filed a patent lawsuit against Apple (yes!) But we are not dealing with that in here.
Apple’s former CEO, deceased Steve Jobs had been talking ferociously about Android ever since it had made its appearance. It’s his opinion that Android is an outright copy of iOS and he will do anything in his power to bring it down; the battle could go ‘thermonuclear’ if it was up to him. Here's a comparison of iOS and Android.
Apple had been very quiet and discreet about this issue even after the release of several devices and new versions of iOS and Android. But now, Apple picked a fight with Samsung regarding some design issues some of which are centered on the Android architecture. There are reasons why Apple wouldn't dare do a legal fight with Google. However, many people speculate that a head-on lawsuit may come forth in the very near future.
Google Is Not Alone!
Google’s subsidiary, Android operating system was first created by Android Inc., in 2003, a long way before even the development of iOS started. Google acquired Android Inc., in 2005, thus giving the world a hint about its impending jump into the mobile OS business. Apple’s iOS was originally announced in the beginning of 2007, and since then it has been powering iPhone, iPad, and the latest iPod Touch.
Before Google actually announced a mobile platform later in the year 2007, it had created an alliance with a number of companies in the mobile communication world to create a consortium known as the Open Handset Alliance. Right now, this alliance is a co-owner of Android operating system, and it has over 84 companies as members. If Apple goes against Google about Android, it will actually put itself in the hit list of these 84 companies, which include some heavyweights like Samsung, Google, Intel, Texas Instruments, HTC, LG, T-Mobile, Sprint, Qualcomm, etc.
The OHA doesn’t only include part suppliers of Apple for its products, but also mobile carriers who promote iDevices. They all make products that are directly or indirectly involved with Android operating system. It’s a bad risk for Apple to go against them.
Why Apple Should Fear Google?
Android is open-source; it’s given to the hardware developers for free. There is a reason behind this. Google wants to incorporate as many entities into its domain as possible. With an open-source operating system, anyone can get into the code and develop a version of the operating system that suits its customers. This is the reason why Samsung has its own TouchWiz user interface and HTC has Sense UI overlaid on the basic Android interface. If you want to see the actual interface of Android, you should look at a Google device, such as one belonging to the Nexus series, such as Google Nexus 4.
On a court case between Apple and Google, the latter probably will be able to show that Android is not a direct moneymaker for them. Also, they can probably prove to a jury that the user interface features of Android can be tweaked by any company that creates hardware based on the operating system. Here’s a quote from Google:
Most of these patent claims don’t relate to the core Android operating system. The mobile industry is moving fast and all players, including newcomers, are building upon ideas that have been around for decades.If you read between the lines, it means Google will be able to prove in a court of law that any patent claim is not related to the product that they actually support, the ‘core’ of Android. Design and user interface are tweaked by manufacturers who can innovate on this platform, based on ‘ideas’ that have been around for some time. It directly hints that Apple didn’t actually come up with UI ideas that were around for a long time. This will make Android look like a great open platform that will pave way to innovation, while iOS turns out as just another proprietary mobile operating system.
Besides this, there are several features that Apple iOS has copied from Android.
Google Products for Apple iOS
Google gives great support for iOS with a lot of apps—Search, Gmail, Maps, Google+, YouTube, etc. These are extremely popular products. Google earns a major share of its revenue from free distribution of these products with ads.
Now, anyone knows how important these apps are on any mobile device. A good number of iPhone users love the fact that the device has support for these applications. What if on a fine day Google announces that it will not support iPhone anymore? It will badly hit the iPhone sales.
In accordance with Apple’s philosophy of creating hardware and software in-house, they have recently created their own Maps to replace Google’s product. Apple may be able to get some upper hand with this product on iDevices. We will see more about it below.
Gmail is a feature unmatched by any other app in iOS. It has huge fan following and based on initial reactions, even Microsoft’s Outlook.com will not be able to dethrone Gmail as the number one email provider in the world. Losing support for Gmail on any of their products is not in Apple’s best interests.
I accept Google+ is not as popular as Facebook or Twitter, and it’s doubtful that it will ever be. Still, Google Plus is the third most popular social network with around 170 million users. It will be a gamble for both companies to do away with this service on iPhone.
Why Apple Created Maps?
The one thing that baffled me is why Apple came up with a Maps feature of its own by employing cartographers and designers and spending millions. The initial reviews of Apple Maps are positive. For a new product, it works brilliantly—so do all Apple products. [Update: It is no longer the case now; Apple Maps has a lot of gaffes]
Google used to provide the Maps feature for iOS for such a long time. And Google’s product is not broke. If it ain’t broke, why fix it? I think Apple is on a mission to gradually create its own apps to counter the ones provided by Google for iOS. It will take time, but Apple may reach there. If ever that happens, a lawsuit at that point of time will put Apple at an advantage. What do you think?
Apple will make it sure that Google gets less revenue from the next iPhone by incorporating its own Maps instead of Google’s. Maps is a great revenue source for Google, and Apple wants to tap into it. However, this comes at a price. Apple’s market research might have found out that the tradeoff between using its own Maps and losing some customers due to that will actually create some profit. I say that’s a bad move as time will tell.
On the other hand, there is another speculation going on; Google could actually go up against Apple for creating Maps that looks and feels a lot like Google’s. It will pave way to a lot of speculation about the future.
Is iPhone That Great?
On any day, the release of Apple iPhone is a big event. Any new version of the device will sell in millions in the opening week itself. However, many people that buy iPhone, buy it for these reasons—the iOS App Store, Apple brand and build quality. It’s not because they don’t know that there are far superior products out there. From Samsung, HTC, LG, and others, you can get more hardware features at lower price.
iPhone 4S has only a 3.5 inch screen; even with Retina Display, it is only just enough for browsing and watching movies. However, there are Samsung devices like the Galaxy Note that created the new term, ‘phablet’ indicating the presence of a huge screen. They have a great display technology as well—AMOLED that saves more power than the iPhone display.
Siri has been a great reason why iPhone 4S became a huge hit. But now, nobody talks about Siri, do they? Android has very competitive voice recognition programs that you can use just like Siri.
As the time goes by, people will realize they have been paying too much for a device that gives just ordinary features.
Final Thoughts
Google products for iOS should continue to be supported in the future. If a lawsuit comes up between these giants, it should not be due to certain small design similarities found in their operating systems. In fact, certain features like pinch-to-zoom should be converted into a standard as it gives people enhanced user experience. It shouldn’t be made the sole property of a particular brand or operating system. Imagine what the world would be like if Google offered its search only on Android.
Apple is in fact bold, very, very bold. That’s why it went up against Samsung. Hence, it should not be plainly assumed that they will be frightened to go against Google. They have the backup of a huge community and hell a lot of money. This actually may make Google take a little protection themselves, by editing any Android feature that could risk a patent infringement.
Conclusion
It’s high time to say whether Apple will go up against Google or not. However, to know further about this, you should wait till iPhone 5 gets released and see how Google reacts to the developments afterwards. Google should wait a little before it releases software patches and updates for iDevices. Also, Apple’s new products will indicate if its move ahead is aggressive or not.