Eric Schmidt calls Apple a 'tremendous technology innovator'

[techbeck]

Google's Eric Schmidt sees Apple as a "tremendous innovator," even if he's not above taking some digs at the iPad. At Google's Big Tent event in India, Schmidt briefly assessed his competitors in a question and answer session. "I'm a BlackBerry user, because I like the keyboard," he said, though he acknowledged that BlackBerry was "slowly in trouble." But while he'd pick a BlackBerry over a Kindle, he says, Amazon is in better shape. "Amazon has well passed any of the expectations of its ability to change distribution and marketing. They're an important Google partner, and I think compete with us as well."

"Apple will continue to be a tremendous technology innovator... regardless of the market share."

His tone towards Apple was more cautious: while it's easy to praise the failing BlackBerry or a partner like Amazon, Apple is Google's biggest competitor in mobile. "Apple will continue to be a tremendous technology innovator and build beautiful products, regardless of the market share of the products, and that's a great strength ? they will continue to be the innovator," he said. When asked about the iPad and iPad mini, though, he said he preferred the iPad (the mini being "too small") but asked the host to consider Android instead. "Frankly, if you take a look at the Samsung 10-inch tablet, called the Nexus 10? More apps, more scalable, more secure."

Regardless of whether you prefer iOS or Android, Schmidt's apps comparison isn't a particularly helpful metric. Google counted about 700,000 total apps as of October, with Apple saying it had somewhat more than 700,000. Most Android apps are technically compatible with tablets, and Schmidt is almost certainly correct to say that's a bigger number than Apple's 300,000 native iPad apps. But Google has long struggled with app optimization for tablets, which often end up with scaled-up versions of phone apps.

Schmidt also weighed in on just what we'll be doing on all those apps. He remains optimistic about the future of newspapers, despite difficulties moving to digital, and he sees Twitter's model as "more distinct" than that of Facebook, which he says is in a state of flux. "I don't know enough about what they're transitioning to," he says. "I will tell you that if you have a billion users, you can make money." Google's most recent controversial decision got a few words too. "I do love Google Reader," he said, when pushed about its impending shutdown. So why did the company kill it? "Priorities."

http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/21/4131250/eric-schmidt-talks-apple-blackberry-amazon-at-big-tent-india

[Growled Member]

His tone towards Apple was more cautious: while it's easy to praise the failing BlackBerry or a partner like Amazon, Apple is Google's biggest competitor in mobile. "Apple will continue to be a tremendous technology innovator and build beautiful products, regardless of the market share of the products, and that's a great strength ? they will continue to be the innovator," he said

I think he is being kind about them continuing to be an innovator. However, he is right that they will continue to build beautiful products regardless of the market share. Market share has never been Apple's thing. And they do build beautiful stuff.

[FloatingFatMan]

I think he is being kind about them continuing to be an innovator. However, he is right that they will continue to build beautiful products regardless of the market share. Market share has never been Apple's thing. And they do build beautiful stuff.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Remember, Apple also built this hideous monstrosity below, so beauty certainly isn't a constant!

[Bamsebjørn]

It's ugly... but I had a lot of fun with the iMac at my work about 10 years ago...

[soldier1st]

The title should be: Eric Schmidt calls Apple a 'tremendous technology stealer and horribly expensive/locked down products. lol

[dead.cell]

Innovate -

1. to introduce something new; make changes in anything established.

2. to introduce (something new) for or as if for the first time

- Dictionary.com

1: to introduce as or as if new

- Mirriam-Webster

To begin or introduce (something new) for or as if for the first time.

- The Free Dictionary

Posted this mostly to clear up the confusion people seem to have with the word in every conversation. Carry on.

[Hardcore Til I Die]

He speaks truth :)

[Hardcore Til I Die]

^ In that case, everyone else is innovating just as much, if not more than apple.

Why are you turning this into a competition? There doesn't have to be just one innovator. Just because Schmidt said Apple innovates doesn't mean nobody else does.

Must every thread go down the crapper with this incessant competitiveness?

[dead.cell]

Why are you turning this into a competition? There doesn't have to be just one innovator. Just because Schmidt said Apple innovates doesn't mean nobody else does.

Must every thread go down the crapper with this incessant competitiveness?

Of course! It's no different than when we have browser wars and you have that one Opera die-hard fan who's basically shouting "FIRST FIRST FRIST!!" when it comes to inventions as if that's going to somehow change the outcome of where Opera stands. It's a big circle jerk of stupid really. :ermm:

(and certainly no offense to Opera users, but if you've been on Neowin a while, you know it's true heh)