Barney's Blog

Blog archive

Minor-League Bad Guy Jobs Calls Out Google

Steve Jobs is a real American hero. It's tough to knock the guy, but I'll try anyway: His products are almost always closed and expensive, and he has a penchant for going after journalists for doing their job.

Despite these flaws, Jobs generally has the moral high ground, and that's why his recent Google comments sting so much. Google is famous for claiming to "do no evil." Jobs isn't buying it, saying it's all a load of...well, you fill in the blank.

Jobs' beef seems to be over Google going after the iPhone: Jobs isn't competing in search, so why should Google enter the phone wars?

I don't get it. I'm in favor of competition, and as long as Google competes with the iPhone fairly, what's the beef? Clearly, there are other ways Google has violated the "Do no evil" code.

Is Jobs right to be irritated? You tell me at dbarney@redmondmag.com.

Posted by Doug Barney on 02/03/2010 at 9:58 AM


Reader Comments:

Thu, Feb 4, 2010 Phil San Antonio, Texas

Steve Jobs is another one of those guys who actually believes the hype that surrounds his name, and that whatever he thinks/feels/believes is the gospel truth and should be taken as such. Just another reason why I ignore anything that comes out of his mouth.

Thu, Feb 4, 2010

I think the issue is that Google has stated it's "Do No Evil" policy, whereas other companies have not. Google is just another big company that does the same evil as others.

Thu, Feb 4, 2010 John UK

"but I'll try anyway: His products are almost always closed and expensive, " Not at all like Microsoft then..... :-)

Wed, Feb 3, 2010

Steve Jobs is right. Eric Schmidt stole a lot of Apple's ideas while sitting on the board of Apple. Google did evil. Yes, Bill Gates did hoard billions of dollars in cash by killing competition. He is buying public sympathy by contributing to charity. Nothing new here. It's in the age-old tradition of all robber barons such as Rockefeller and Carnegie. I have no doubt jobs will eventually put his money to good causes. Even that, he will do in a path-breaking original way. He is among the most brilliant, creative minds of the 21st century. So he's not about hoarding cash or inflicting inferior technology on the masses

Wed, Feb 3, 2010 Dan Iowa

To be fair, it sounds like he was talking to Apple corporate; not the public. He's rallying the troops, in competition against Pointing out that Google is going after Apple market share; not the other way around, is probably stating the obvious.

Wed, Feb 3, 2010 John L. Maryland

Motorola could have said the same to Jobs about the cell phone business a couple of years ago. Open markets make everyone better, including Apple. Apps, search, integrated devices are the begining of the story not the end.

Wed, Feb 3, 2010 Daniel New York

Where does Steven Jobs get any moral authority. He creates closed proprietary systems, nice as they may be. He gives no money to charity. He is only interested in money and if anyone else makes money or competes with him then they are evil - see Microsoft, see Google. When has Steven Jobs ever done anything that was virtuous or moral. I can name things that Bill Gates has done. I can not name any that Steven Jobs has done. Great design and marketing are not moral attributes and it is quite strange to me that anyone would suggest that they are.

Wed, Feb 3, 2010 Ross Wisconsin

I agree with Melvin, Jobs is scared and whining like a little baby. Competition is always good for the public. No it may not be good for Apple but I don't care about Apple. The consumer who doesn't drink the Koolaid is concerned about themselves not Apple.

Wed, Feb 3, 2010 Melvin Quinones West Palm Beach, Florida

Jobs is not only irritated, but he is scared. Those comments are a clear sign of panic. Microsoft should feel that way too, but they have not shown it as much.

Add Your Comment Now:

Your Name:(optional)
Your Email:(optional)
Your Location:(optional)
Comment:
Please type the letters/numbers you see above

> More

> More

> More Tech Library