The Attack Against Android, Led By The Extremely Nefarious Apple...

[phonefool]

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For years, I really liked Apple, the company, it's leaders, and it's products.

Yes "used to", as in past tense.

Living within miles of the Campus in Cupertino, as a young boy, I watched with curiosity as they built what was then called "Apple Computer". Some years later, I purchased one of the very first Powerbook Laptops they offered, on the day of release. A PowerBook 170. Years later after graduating from college with a degree in IT, my perspective and appreciation of the Apple OS was enriched by my newly acquired knowledge. Each year or two for over a decade between then and now, I would upgrade to the latest PowerBook (now renamed MacBook Pro).

Fast forward to today. Unfortunately the main thrust of the company seems to be massive profits, at all costs, ahead of any other aspect of their business. Propped up by their usual highly attractive designs and packaging, as they say, "beauty is only skin deep". Then to top it all of, the wild advertising claims made by the one person who may very well be the best salesman in the world, Steve Jobs.

For example: the iPad is claimed to be "Magical & Revolutionary", what a joke that is. It's caught on like wild fire due to the ultra smooth, marketing machine Apple has so cleverly crafted.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing their products, but rather sharing as someone who has a very significant amount of experience past and present, with a huge number of their products.

As recently as today I read that they are "ahead of schedule" with the project that dumbs down their computers with the convergence of iOS and OS X. Sad to watch, it's now all about entertainment, fart apps, and TV.

I came across this article today, which I just had to share. Read it please, and offer "your take on things".

Official Google Blog: When patents attack Android



Thanks

 

[mrsbelpit]

Thanks for the link! I love how Google doesn't mince words and it is encouraging that the Nortel patent purchase is going to be investigated. Things are getting very interesting in the mobile tech world.

 

[Yeahha]

This comes as no shock to me. A few months back I stumbled upon this little tidbit Android makes Microsoft more money than Windows Phone

Apple or any other competitor does not want to put Android out of business, they just want to get their "fair" cut, which means litagation, They can bring 1000s of patent suits to the courts if only 1 of those are found to infringe and google has to give apple $0.01 for each device activated that would mean google would owe over $2 million a year, yeah to either of the companies that is chump change but that would be just 1 cent per device activated, if it were $1 then it would $200 million, that is why there is such a bidding war over these patents because they know Android is not going away and they have the money to go in the red for a few years waiting for these patents to pay for themselves. Google showed up to the knife fight with a sword but will have to pay their dues being the new kid on the block. Apple built their empire telling sheep you don't want to follow the man follow us instead. Microsoft is watching everything go down and not caring as they know no matter what they will still be pulling in cash hand over fist.

 

[jerofld]

I have to disagree with you on the Apple not wanting Android to go away. I would bet dollars to donuts that Apple wants Android to be completely shut down, if even just in the US. To my knowledge, Apple has never been hit with any anti-monopoly suits. Microsoft has, which may be why you don't see them pushing Windows Mobile too hard. They're just happy to be making money of Android and just doing their thing. If it folds, oh well...

However, overall, the article is obviously biased. It's written by Google's Chief Legal Officer. In small terms, their lead lawyer. Would you trust any chief lawyer to tell the unbridled truth? Has Google actually violated patents? I don't know. That would be for the courts to decide.

 

[_mw_]

Fact one is junk; look at their bidding pattern, or read about it in the dozens of articles that were posted shortly after. They had no interest in winning that bid, or perhaps they already knew they didn't need to.

Fact two is also frivolous (imo). The nice guy never finishes first in business and if you're too arrogant or stupid to protect yourself, then you have no business being in business to begin with. Everybody will hold patents, even those who may not believe in them.

Fact three could be thrown around at any time, against any company, and therefore in my opinion has as little bearing as the previous two facts. What company isn't going to expand? What company isn't going to see an opportunity and jump on it? What successful company hasn't taken on and steamrolled some competition in the process (through natural processes, and/or simply doing better business)?

The point trying to be made is that competition through litigation is not competition. It's a sore losers attempt to abuse a poorly thought out system to their own advantage and the disadvantage of every consumer.

Nobody is claiming, at least I hope they aren't claiming that Google is some kind of White Knight or Angel come to rescue us from the grasp of tyrants like Apple and Microsoft. Google is in business to make money, and I hope they always do. I don't understand much about economics or business or any of that bs and I honestly hope I never do. I do know however that competition is key to giving me and my neighbor a choice, even if that choice isn't the same. Just because a system is flawed and people can patent ridiculously ambiguous and vague ideas doesn't make everybody else who could have used common sense to come to those same conclusions a thief.

Long Live Google.
Long Live Apple.

 

[Guamguy]

Maybe its time someone launch a major investigation on these factories. Its killing people.

Has Apple Turned Its Back On The People Harmed In Its Factories? | Gizmodo Australia

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/03/138949223/foreign-policy-in-china-apples-got-a-rotten-core

 

[zuben el genub]

Foxconn is going robotic. The new Ipad 3 has another factory to make it.

Both articles have been posted in tech news, so a good google for them might find the originals.

 

[thedosbox]

I wouldn't take what google have to say too seriously: Microsoft calls Google out over patent bullying accusations

 

[Bnice]

Well Google responded back.
Google to Microsoft: 'We didn't fall for it' [updated with Microsoft's retort] | Android Central

 

[rhippler]

Found this poll on G+

Who do you side with on the Google/Microsoft back and forth on the patent issue?

 

[ArmageddonX]

Well Google responded back.
Google to Microsoft: 'We didn't fall for it' [updated with Microsoft's retort] | Android Central

Wow... this is getting interesting. These personal messages between these big CEO 'types' brings a strange "playground mentality" type of feeling to this situation lol

 

[thedosbox]

Wow... this is getting interesting. These personal messages between these big CEO 'types' brings a strange "playground mentality" type of feeling to this situation lol

And it's why I don't take sides. Whichever company produces what I want gets my business, not my undying loyalty.

It's kinda sad watching the apple/google/microsoft fangirls waste all their energy like this.

 

[_mw_]

Wow... this is getting interesting. These personal messages between these big CEO 'types' brings a strange "playground mentality" type of feeling to this situation lol

It's actually big lawyer types, so we have an immediate and obvious excuse for the antics.

 

[ArmageddonX]

It's actually big lawyer types, so we have an immediate and obvious excuse for the antics.

Ahhh, lawyers... I didn't know that. Yes, this all makes sense now LOL

 

[SUroot]

The mobile industry has been like this for years. Nokia and Motorola have escaped mention in this particular instance.

If what google say is true it is hugely unfair and wouldn't dare put it past apple / microsoft to do this. That said, I'm sure google have some underhand methods up their sleeves.

The issue for me is that I love android and will not go elsewhere for now. If I have to save up for my next handset from the moment I get my new one, so be it.

 

[takeshi]

Not sure why people think Apple is unique in kicking off lawsuits like this. People that make such claims haven't been paying attention or are using selective attention/memory. No company is innocent as the OP is trying to imply so singling one out as "nefarious" is ignorant IMO.