Google copies Apple, Apple copies Google
Apple (AAPL) fans spent much of last week accusing Google of copying features from the iPhone. Next week, the tables turn and Apple will face accusations of copying from Google's (GOOGL) Android phones.
It's become an annual ritual. The two giants of the smartphone era hold their spring developers conferences seeking to both differentiate and blur the differentiation between their two platforms. The goal is to convince app writers and consumers alike that there's no need to defect: Everything you want is on our phone.
Google's Android additions at its i/o conference last week included many Apple-like features such as wireless mobile payments, fingerprint security, per-app privacy controls and even a copy and paste interface that resembled the iPhone's.
At its June 8 World Wide Developers Conference, or WWDC, Apple is expected to beef up its Maps app to close the gap with Google Maps. Digital assistant Siri is likely getting more contextual awareness to compete with Google Now. Apple Pay is expected to add loyalty rewards like Android Pay. And Apple could improve its photo storage deal, which currently includes only 5 GB free, after Google announced free, unlimited storage.
The back and forth competition ultimately is a win for consumers and developers. It keeps the pressure on both platforms to improve and innovate. Microsoft (MSFT) didn't face that pressure once its Windows monopoly was established in the 1990s and innovation suffered dramatically.
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And for developers and consumers, it's not so important that Apple and Google have such different business models for their smartphone platforms. Apple uses its iOS software to sell iPhones at heady profit margins. Google offers Android free to other phone manufacturers to keep its advertising and data efforts strong on mobile. But both sides need to continue attracting developers and consumers to remain viable.
Of course, Apple isn't just chasing Google. The company is widely expected to unveil a clone of subscription music service Spotify at the same $10-per-month price, though an online television service like those from HBO and Dish Network (DISH) reportedly isn't ready to go yet.
One of the most significant announcements at Apple's conference has already been officially revealed, but it isn't getting much attention. Apple plans to let outside app developers like Facebook (FB) and Twitter (TWTR) start writing apps for its smartwatch that can actually run on the watch and access all of the device's sensors.
That's a big change from the first generation of apps, which actually executed their code on an iPhone, leading to limited functionality and laggy performance.
While the smartphone market heads toward saturation, watches could be a new growth area. But only if developers start producing compelling apps. If Apple gets that right, all the copying accusations will fall by the wayside.
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