“'Free software' is a matter of liberty, not price. To understand the concept, you should think of 'free' as in 'free speech,' not as in 'free beer'.”
In his lecture Case: Apple Vs Google: The Two Futures of Mobile Devices Dr Teodor Mitew discussed the war between Apple and Google for domination of the mobile phone market (2011). Mitew described this as being not just a battle of the brands but a fundamental difference in ideology between open source software provided by companies like Google and so-called 'walled garden' companies like Apple (2011). But the quarrel doesn't stop at handsets and apps, and it certainly isn't confined to just Apple and Google.
The war has found itself a new arena, internet compatible television. Enter Google TV and Apple TV and let the games commence... Now you don't have to watch the next two clips that closely to see the before-mentioned ideology clash in action. Jobs does his usual "a 4th the size" of the previous model pitch and as the video progresses we begin to see more and more of the "walled garden" philosophy emerge. Jobs reveals that content will now be viewed on a rental basis, they've got Fox, ABC and Netflix on board. Apple means business here.
For more on Apple TV see the further reading at the end of this post.
Moving on to Google. As Daniel Roth mentions in his article Google's Open Source Android OS Will Free the Wireless Web for Wired magazine, Google seeks to create an "entire new wireless family tree" in the mobile handset market with the help of Android (2008). Does Google TV seek to do the same? Let's compare the video below to the one we've just seen. Google's pitch is basically the same as Apple's, television with internet capability etc.
But notice the difference in format. Google makes no mention of agreements with other companies, it mentions Netflix, but only that it is possible to use the subscription service with the device. The difference in philosophy emerges indirectly as Google explains that while you can buy a device that allows you to access Google TV through an existing television, some televisions will come with Google TV already installed. Google TV compatible devices imply open source devices. But in the end, as Mitew discussed in the lecture, the ideological difference can be summed up as thus: closed system device orientated Apple vs compatibility driven software with less of a focus on what connects you and more of a focus on how (2011).
And for everyone who looked at this post and went "lol, TL;DR", here's a friendly infograph to help you out.
I'm cruel aren't I? To view a sight friendly version, click here.
Further Reading:
Microsoft sees Xmas debut for Xbox TV: I didn't have time (or space) to mention it in this post, but Microsoft we weigh in later this year with their own contender, Xbox TV. Which is sure to shake things up even more.
If you don't read any other article on Google, Apple and Microsoft and their battle for your TV viewing read this one. Apple, Google and Microsoft fight for TV: it outlines the rivalry, the upgrades and Steve Job's last word on the venture. It's only two pages long and also mentions other companies trying to break into the internet TV market including Boxee and Chinese company Hisense and the innovations they're flaunting to gain attention.
Google TV and Apple TV Comparison. Comparison in table form.
Blog Sources:
Roth, D, 2008, 'Google's Open Source Android OS Will Free the Wireless Web' Wired, 23 June accessed 24/10/2011 http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/magazine/16-07/ff_android
Mitew, T 2011, Case: Apple Vs Google: The Two Futures of Mobile Devices, Lecture, DIGC202 Global Networks, University of Wollongong, delivered 17 October.
I wish all the applications on Apple's iPhone were free, it would give me more motivation for buying a smart phone.
ReplyDeleteWho would really pay for such features? I mean, I would rather chill out in my room with my laptop and watch a movie online. I actually prefer to watch it on my laptop for free rather than buying one of those little boxes from Apple and paying 99c. I think this fails in my books and I don't even have any Apple or Google products.
I know it's not all about watching movies, but who really gets the time to sit down and watch one anyway? I know these features are suppose to make our life more convenient by bundling in all your favourite channels, but I don't find that it would really have much use to me.
(Actually maybe I would like to get Roku (from the Crosscut.com article) because it has Al-Jazeera English TV (live) :)
Jobs' trademark "quarter size" ploy. It never gets old!
ReplyDeleteI agree that the two sides are aiming for different terms here, but it makes me wonder why people are choosing Apple in the first place. I think, in this day and age, a majority of tech consumers prefer to have the comforts given to them simply because it's easier. To have freedom means the ability to make a choice, but to make the right choice takes effort, and I think people are shying away from the effort-expending scene.
In the case of your post, Apple TV comes with the services at a subscription rate, whereas Google TV doesn't mention any of the above. In my opinion it's like Google offers everything (a lot of good, a lot of bad), whereas Apple offers -only- a limited amount of good services.
That is a really interesting way of looking at it Kyle and I agree. Google is letting people make their own choices which is great for the tech savy and socially switched on but there are other out there that just want easy and simplistic products that take the guess work out of life. I suppose it all comes down to your own taste.
ReplyDeleteI am actually scared about google and apple and their fight for power and ABSOLUTE dominance, it kind of reminds me of a villain from my childhood Disney films. corporation such as google and apple are already unimaginably huge it scares me that one company can control so much... what about the little man or completely new competitors. the monopoly they hold over the market is scary we need new competitors and other small ones just to keep the market healthy what will happen if the balance is changed?
ReplyDelete