Apple
Apple’s breakup with Google continues
By Jim DalrympleOctober 1, 2009, 2:13 pm PT
Apple hasn’t been making many friends at Google these days. In fact, it would appear the days of the two companies working closely together may be coming to an end.
Computerworld’s Seth Weintraub dug up some juicy info on Wednesday night that may widen the rift between Apple and Google. Apple recently purchased mapmaking company Placebase.
Of course, Apple and Google have partnered to provide mapping in a couple of Apple products. Most notably is the integration in Apple’s consumer photo application, iPhoto, and the Google Maps app on the iPhone.
It seems clear that with the purchase of Placebase, Apple will be ditching Google in favor of its own technology.
It should be interesting to see what Apple does with the technology. Typically when Apple invents or buys a new technology, it does some really cool things with it. It’s not hard to imagine it will do the same thing with maps on the iPhone.
The relationship between Google and Apple has been souring for some time. First with Android, Google’s mobile operating system, and then in July, Google said it was entering the operating system market and was developing Google Chrome OS.
This caused immediate concerns in the industry because Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt, was also on Apple’s Board of Directors. It only took a couple of weeks for Schmidt to resign (or be kicked off the Board).
Of course this led to an even bigger brouhaha when Google Voice was rejected from the App Store because it duplicated the functions of the iPhone. That brought the FCC into the mix.
While Apple denied the app had been rejected, Google said it was and gave details of conversations between the companies.
I don’t see any way that this can end well for Google and Apple. It’s too bad really. Google and Apple are both innovative companies that could have some great things together.
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Discussion
8 comments so far
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I’m reasonably sure Google is just licensing someone else’s database information these days anyway. Until a few years ago, Google knew which city I lived in. Then it changed to be wrong in the same way that Yahoo was wrong.
Suggests to be a common, poor-quality data source.
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“It seems clear that with the purchase of Placebase, Apple will be ditching Google in favor of its own technology.”
Clear? Until Apple announces what they did, or intend to do, with the purchase of Placebase it is all speculation.
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You’re right, it’s speculation, but like Steven said “Apple isn’t going to depend on someone else without a backup plan in mind.”
I think you’ll see Apple make the transition in the next year.
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“Clear? Until Apple announces what they did, or intend to do, with the purchase of Placebase it is all speculation.”
I think it’s pretty clear that Placebase is a potential replacement for Google. Whether or not they plan to use it in the short- or mid-term is the speculation.
But Apple isn’t going to depend on someone else without a backup plan in mind.
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Now Google licenses the map base with restrictions and Apple is saddled with these restrictions–such as no turn-by-turn navigation. Now Apple has a direct license and can negotiate the licensee directly. Also note that in the last year RIM also bought a mapping company and at the time I was thinking that Apple needed to do the same thing.
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Obviously a Plan B for Google Maps. Or, perhaps, they’re planning a maps app that’s a lot better than Google maps.
Speculation: Owning their own maps would probably allow Apple to provide their own Navi software. For free, or for a small fee, on iPhone and iTouch.
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I am not impressed with Google’s map for my country so more map options is always good
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These two companies are discovering the consequences of their changing individual ambitions while they step on each other’s toes. They’re both run by smart people, and they’ll very likely reach a point where they can renegotiate their new relationship for the purpose of clearly defined partnerships on specific projects.
Post a comment
Apple’s breakup with Google continues
By Jim DalrympleOctober 1, 2009, 2:13 pm PT
Apple hasn’t been making many friends at Google these days. In fact, it would appear the days of the two companies working closely together may be coming to an end.
Computerworld’s Seth Weintraub dug up some juicy info on Wednesday night that may widen the rift between Apple and Google. Apple recently purchased mapmaking company Placebase.
Of course, Apple and Google have partnered to provide mapping in a couple of Apple products. Most notably is the integration in Apple’s consumer photo application, iPhoto, and the Google Maps app on the iPhone.
It seems clear that with the purchase of Placebase, Apple will be ditching Google in favor of its own technology.
It should be interesting to see what Apple does with the technology. Typically when Apple invents or buys a new technology, it does some really cool things with it. It’s not hard to imagine it will do the same thing with maps on the iPhone.
The relationship between Google and Apple has been souring for some time. First with Android, Google’s mobile operating system, and then in July, Google said it was entering the operating system market and was developing Google Chrome OS.
This caused immediate concerns in the industry because Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt, was also on Apple’s Board of Directors. It only took a couple of weeks for Schmidt to resign (or be kicked off the Board).
Of course this led to an even bigger brouhaha when Google Voice was rejected from the App Store because it duplicated the functions of the iPhone. That brought the FCC into the mix.
While Apple denied the app had been rejected, Google said it was and gave details of conversations between the companies.
I don’t see any way that this can end well for Google and Apple. It’s too bad really. Google and Apple are both innovative companies that could have some great things together.
Email This Post
⋅ Print This Post
⋅ Post a comment
Discussion 8 comments so far
-
I’m reasonably sure Google is just licensing someone else’s database information these days anyway. Until a few years ago, Google knew which city I lived in. Then it changed to be wrong in the same way that Yahoo was wrong.
Suggests to be a common, poor-quality data source.
-
“It seems clear that with the purchase of Placebase, Apple will be ditching Google in favor of its own technology.”
Clear? Until Apple announces what they did, or intend to do, with the purchase of Placebase it is all speculation.
-
You’re right, it’s speculation, but like Steven said “Apple isn’t going to depend on someone else without a backup plan in mind.”
I think you’ll see Apple make the transition in the next year.
-
-
“Clear? Until Apple announces what they did, or intend to do, with the purchase of Placebase it is all speculation.”
I think it’s pretty clear that Placebase is a potential replacement for Google. Whether or not they plan to use it in the short- or mid-term is the speculation.
But Apple isn’t going to depend on someone else without a backup plan in mind.
-
Now Google licenses the map base with restrictions and Apple is saddled with these restrictions–such as no turn-by-turn navigation. Now Apple has a direct license and can negotiate the licensee directly. Also note that in the last year RIM also bought a mapping company and at the time I was thinking that Apple needed to do the same thing.
-
Obviously a Plan B for Google Maps. Or, perhaps, they’re planning a maps app that’s a lot better than Google maps.
Speculation: Owning their own maps would probably allow Apple to provide their own Navi software. For free, or for a small fee, on iPhone and iTouch.
-
I am not impressed with Google’s map for my country so more map options is always good
-
These two companies are discovering the consequences of their changing individual ambitions while they step on each other’s toes. They’re both run by smart people, and they’ll very likely reach a point where they can renegotiate their new relationship for the purpose of clearly defined partnerships on specific projects.
Post a comment