“The move comes as Apple prepares to fight off an assault on the music market by Microsoft and characterises the increasingly complex network of relationships between competitors that is coming to define Silicon Valley,” Blakely reports.
“While Google has surprised some analysts by resisting calls to sell music downloads, it has flagged an intention to compete in video – an area in which Apple’s online music store, iTunes, also operates,” Blakely reports.
“Now, Steve Jobs will be able to draw on Eric Schmidt’s demonstrably formidable foresight. Mr Jobs will also have a hotline into Google’s thinking – particularly useful, since Google, rather like Apple, is a hugely secretive company,” Blakely reports.
“However, signalling the prospect of greater co-operation between the two companies, Steve Jobs, the Apple CEO, said Mr Schmidt would play a key part in shaping the company’s future strategy,” Blakely reports.
“A deeper relationship with Mr Jobs, himself lauded as an industry visionary after the phenomenal success of the iPod, could mean a greater degree of interoperability between Apple and Google products, analysts said. Google, for example, has already developed a search tool that allows users to find songs and links them to sites including iTunes,” Blakely reports. “Further such tie-ups could form part of a grander strategy designed to curtail Microsoft’s expansion into new markets. Microsoft is set to launch Zune, an iPod rival, later this year.”
Full article here.
First a few pieces of business: “Mr. Jobs, himself lauded as an industry visionary after the phenomenal success of the iPod.” Yeah, and that little thing called Mac, Mr. Blakely. Oh, by the way, Zune is a brick. It’s also vapor. Let’s save the term “rival” for shipping products that have actually proven themselves capable of competing with iPod, not just cannibalizing market share from fellow also-rans, shall we? With Zune, Microsoft cannot win and Apple cannot lose. More on why we can confidently write that statement here.
Now, welcome aboard, Dr. Schmidt!
Related articles:
Google CEO Dr. Eric Schmidt joins Apple’s Board of Directors – August 29, 2006
Microsoft Zune is chunky brick made by Toshiba – August 25, 2006