When asked how he would describe Google’s policy on being “open” Eric Schmidt’s response turned instead to describing arch-nemesis Apple’s policies on handling iOS. “It’s easier to understand by opposition,” Schmidt explained as he contrasted the closed nature of Apple’s products. Apps must be developed using Apple’s tools. They must use Apple’s hardware. They in a sense belong to Apple. That’s now Google, was Schmidt’s point.
The Google CEO explained that the company and its products are based around a culture of openness. Argue the logistics of it all you want, but don’t associate the search giant’s motivations with anything like Apple’s “core strategy of closed-ness.” No, Schmidt’s point at today’s TechCrunch (AOLownswhat?) Disrupt was take the inverse of Apple and that is Google. Maybe that’s just corporate posturing, but any amount of closed-ness on Google’s part wouldn’t even hold a candle to how Apple has positioned itself.