At the heart of the rivalry between Apple and Google, the forerunners in the Silicon Valley competition for the digital empire, lies their fundamentally opposing business models: open source vs. total control.
The underlying philosophy that drives the open source software model, and the reason Google chose this platform for their Android phones in an attempt to compete with Apple, is the possibility for constant innovation. The success Apple has enjoyed from the development of its iPhone is unarguable, so when Roth states in his article that “Apple's device was an end in itself”, I don’t think he is speaking in strictly economic terms. It therefore seems that Google’s decision for adopting the open source business model speaks less to the their drive for profit (though this shouldn’t be overlooked) and more to an ideological motivation: the desire to emulate the network effect of the Internet and the free flow of information, a source of ultimate inspiration.
But who cares about qualms and competition of two near superpowers, they can look after themselves right? What matters from the users perspective is of course user experience. Jason Hiner dissects the weaknesses of both operating systems. For Apple these include software inflexibility, productivity limitations in terms of content production by the user and few hardware choices. From an Adroidian’s perspective ecosystem chaos, inconsistent experiences with different hardware leading to confusion and a leadership vacuum are the main downfalls. It seems you can’t separate philosophy from experience. The business models that have made each company successful also lend to those products their inherent weaknesses. From the shortcomings of each one can begin to predict how Apple and Google will strive to outdo themselves and each other in the future. It is also interesting to consider that no matter who is winning the rat race, our drive for Smartphone’s is insatiable, and so I begin to hear the not-so-dulcet tones of the ‘Liquid Life’ anthem playing somewhere not-so-far-off.
Firstly I want you to know I am a loyal iphone user :) . Where you have described apple as ‘total control’ kind of makes me shiver a little. I love my iphone but they way you have put it makes me think that it is a cult. That apple is trying to take over the world... maybe they are... nonetheless I still love my iphone and however closed it is, I will still not cease to use it. Androids, yes are more versatile but nothing looks as ‘cool’ as an iphone. Haha!
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