Google Feeling Crowded by Enemies Including Microsoft, Facebook

Microsoft and Google have never been BFFs. That's putting it mildly. Longtime Microsoft executives I've spoken with hate how Google goes around with a Don't Be Evil veil even as it stands accused of many of the same things Microsoft itself was vilified for a decade ago-namely shutting out competitors from key markets. Clearly, none of this has been proven in any court, so it's just hearsay from Microsoft, which was convicted of building a desktop monopoly. These companies chiefly compete in search and ads, cloud computing, desktop computing and online collaboration. Google hopes to be able to compete with Chrome OS, nevertheless that is a long shot given Windows' entrenched market position.

How can they be lovers if they can't be friends?

How can they be lovers if they can't be friends? Google and Apple were once BFFs. The Google, whose longtime CEO Eric Schmidt sat on Apple's board, launched Android and Apple CEO Steve Jobs became convinced Schmidt betrayed him. Apple at that time began suing Android OEMs Samsung, Motorola and HTC to get back at Google.

While Apple is suing Android OEMS, it's Oracle in other words directly suing Google over Android. This case is very serious for Google, which if it loses could owe Oracle billions of dollars and possibly even be enjoined from offering Android without making core adjustments.

The Android suit kick

While we're on the Android suit kick, location database power Skyhook alleged Google infringed on its patents and stole valuable business from Motorola and Samsung by coercing those companies to use Google's location database innovation. This smacks of ruthless, Art of War style competition, Skyhook contends. And Google may then pay the price if it is found to be culpable in this litigation.

The FTC watched the European Commission's work from afar and when all is said and done decided to throw its hat into the ring and search for evidence that Google is behaving in anti-competitive fashion in search. The FTC has contacted search startups and is speaking with Microsoft and several others to understand how Google's massive search ad business is impacting the Internet market. Google's defense is that it doesn't lock in users. Some lawyers agree, nevertheless that hasn't stopped other business rivals from painting Google as the Microsoft of the Web era.