Why Didn't Google Throw Apple Under the Bus from the Start?
Apple lied. That is basically what Google claimed yesterday when it published the redacted version of its filing about Google Voice to the Federal Communications Commission. My first reaction to this was: WTF?! My second take was: Why? Why try to protect Apple by asking the FCC to keep confidential how Apple rejected the Google Voice application for its iPhone App Store, only to turn around a month later and patently throw Apple under the bus? What changed? Google said the Freedom of Information Act swooped in and forced the hand of Google and the FCC, but Google also said it didn't try to oppose the FOIA rule with the FCC "in light of Apple's decision to make its own letter fully public and in the interest of transparency." Yet this sudden urge for transparency only hurts Apple, which disputed Google's take on the issue. Why didn't Google just throw Apple under the bus sooner? Was Google embarrassed by the rejection? I don't think so. Many apps get rejected from the mercurial App Store reviewers. Did Apple simply spin Google, asking the search giant to keep quiet while it spun its own version of the story to make it seem like Apple was actually not rejecting Google Voice, but still considering it? That would surprise me in the sense that I can't imagine Google getting punked that way. Yet Apple's powers of persuasion and cunning control techniques are legendary. Mike Arrington says Google released a nuke, but perhaps Google initially chose to coddle Apple because of the importance the iPhone holds for Google's mobile applications. For mobile apps, there is no hotter real estate than the iPhone. Maybe Google wanted to play nice, legitimately, until the FOIA prevailed. Or maybe, and this is an outside shot here, just maybe Google planned this all along, knowing that the public would take its characterization of the failure for Google Voice to gain acceptance at the App Store -- the rejection -- over Apple's. Perhaps Google leveraged Apple's reputation as a corporate stalwart of spin and deception against Apple, aiming for maximum PR damage. In that vein, it succeeded; if you read most of the reports, most people assume Apple is lying here. The only thing we do know is Google or Apple is lying to us, and it sucks that the liar doesn't want to come clean. If Google is found to have lied, it will shred its "don't be evil" reputation. If Apple is found to have lied, many will see it as par for the course. There's no secret which company has cultivated more credibility. This has, as others have noted, devolved into a he said, she said, and we may never know the truth. What do you think? Everyone else is weighing in. |
Comments (7)
This is simle: because of Eric Schmidt.
Posted by Konstantin | September 19, 2009 12:51 PM
Google is currently burning all the bridges with Apple. Calling in the FCC and blowing lots of smoke. With Android and ChromeOS they are also in direct competition.
Personally I dont see where Apple is lying. A rejection of an app submission is not the end of the world. You correct so the app complies and re-submit.
Everybody that gets into trouble does this but apparently Google thinks they are too inportant to play by the same rules as everyone else.
There is obviously something bigger behind all this. Google declaring war at Apple because Apple rejected an app submission maks no sense. They could just have corrected and resubmit - instead they are declaring war.
I already changed my default search engine to Bing. I dont like this kind of behaviour.
Posted by Willy Reich | September 19, 2009 1:27 PM
All of the journalists are focusing on "was ?pple unfair to ?oogle?" or "was ?oogle playing with apple to drive their own objective?" or "could one or both be at fault?", but I am surprised at why no one is thinking about one of the main/critical questions.
Lot of apps get rejected by ?pple, but how come FC? is interested in the reasons for rejection of ?oogle's app. How is/was ?oogle able to influence ?CC to investigate this matter?
I seriously think ?oogle is using their ?oney and/or ?ower to influence lot of govt agencies (federal and state). Wow, it would be awesome if some entity (unbiased) focuses on uncovering ?oogle's tricks and figure out how they are influencing govt depts to be on their side.
?oogle is also doing lot of things with govt just because they openly supported the political party (currently in power). Political party benefited initally, and now ?oogle is benefiting in lots of ways (you scratch my back and I scratch yours). Trust me this is the just the beginning, and you will see/hear lot of news (in the future) about ?oogle's collaboration specifically with govt.
?google is becoming like ?BM. (both appear to have great power in media and politics)
Posted by James Smith | September 19, 2009 2:35 PM
"I can't imagine Google getting punked that way. Yet Apple's powers of persuasion and cunning control techniques are legendary."
Yup, Apple's business "partners" always end up getting hosed.
Posted by JohnJ | September 19, 2009 2:49 PM
Willy Reich wrote: "I already changed my default search engine to Bing. I dont like this kind of behaviour."
A warning to all: This blog, like most other tech blogs and websites, exists mainly to publish anti-Apple and anti Google propaganda.
Posted by zato | September 19, 2009 2:54 PM
Google didnt call in the FCC smart guy.. The FCC instigated this investigation on thier lonesome. This is widely know and reported.
Posted by Aaron | September 19, 2009 3:28 PM
James: The FCC got interested because of AT&T and Apples partnership and possible violations of the Net-neutrality Act.
Posted by Aaron | September 19, 2009 5:46 PM