September 21, 1999: A little startup called Google comes out of beta, with the launch of a website that will let the general public easily search the internet for information.
To Apple, which is embracing the internet with its colorful new iMac desktop computer and iBook laptop, Google seems like the perfect ally. Sadly, the relationship between the two companies won’t remain rosy for long.
Google launch: Birth of an Apple frenemy
One of the most interesting aspects of Google’s origin story isn’t that two Stanford students built a better search engine. It’s how friendly Google and Apple once were. Before Google emerged from beta on this day in 1999, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs served as a mentor to the search company’s founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
Google CEO Eric Schmidt even joined Apple’s board at one point — proof positive of the closeness of the two companies.
Android changed the long relationship between Apple and Google
In those early days, the companies were obviously tight. But Google’s Android operating system changed everything when it launched in 2008. It poisoned the relationship between the two companies for years.
The Android-versus-iOS rivalry fueled high-profile legal clashes between Apple and Google. However, Apple’s history with Google is even more complex than you might think.
For starters, Google’s founding algorithm, PageRank — which rates search results based on “hyperlink” citations — built upon the hyperlinked dream of former Apple employee (and HyperCard creator) Bill Atkinson, who worked on the original Mac.
As mentioned, Steve Jobs provided early guidance to Google’s Larry Page and Sergey Brin. In fact, when the duo was asked to pick a first Google CEO to act as “adult supervision,” Jobs was the only person on their shortlist. (As the CEO of both Apple and Pixar Animation Studios, Jobs declined the offer.)
However, it’s fascinating to consider that this was once on the table.
Apple vs. Google
Image: Google
Unsurprisingly, Jobs saw Android’s debut as a betrayal, since Schmidt served on Apple’s board during the development of iOS. At this point, Apple’s CEO threatened “thermonuclear war” on Google, with the possibility of suing the search company into oblivion.
Now, nearly a quarter-century (and multiple legal battles) later, the frenemies remain locked in competition over smartphones, maps and AI — while Google pays Apple billions to remain the default search engine on the iPhone.
Google’s growing line of hardware products like smartphones and speakers probably don’t make Cupertino’s C-Suite shake. But Android, Google’s popular mobile operating system, still poses a legitimate challenge to iOS.
Relations between the company and Apple have improved dramatically, though. Google reportedly pays upward of $26 billion a year to remain the default search service on iPhone and iPad, even as the battle over mobile operating systems, mapping software and AI technologies continues.
It’s been a long and winding road from the Google launch to the current status quo, with many deals and batels in the rearview mirror.
Today, Google rules internet search and services, and is a major player in the field of artificial intelligence. And in the latest twist, Apple struck a deal with Google to power the new Siri AI in iOS 27. Who knows what the future will bring?
