So, this week’s been a pretty bad one for Apple then. The three most important things to Apple over the past number of years have been the Mac user experience (ie OS X and the Mac computer), the iPhone, and of course, the iPod & iTunes. Every single one of these came under serious attack this week from either Microsoft or Google.

Firstly, Microsoft finally ended the nightmare that was Vista, with the full release of Windows 7. The launch has been a resounding success, and undoubtedly, Windows 7 will usher in a new and successful era for Microsoft. Even self-confessed Mac fangirl Cali Lewis of geekbrief.tv admitted it’s a great operating system, much to the chagrin of some of her own fans. Those holding their breath since XP can finally upgrade to something they see as decent, and those on Vista can look forward to a faster, less cluttered and more satisfying user experience.

Meanwhile, Google just announced their new Google Maps Navigation software, which will give Android 2.0 phone users a turn-by-turn GPS navigation system. It includes voice activation, integration with Google’s StreetView (so you can see exactly what each turn looks like) and of course it leverages all the Google Maps and Google Search features we’ve come to know and love, so you can, as the blurb says, “search for ‘the Museum with the King Tut exhibit’”. Oh, and it’s free. TomTom and Garmin employees are probably already updating their CVs.

To top it off, Google also announced their new OneBox music search system, which allows users to find, preview and purchase music. Again, it leverages Google’s search technology. For example, you can type in a few lyrics of a song to find it, which is something I know many of us have been doing with Google for years (get with the programme iTunes!). Thanks to partnerships with MySpace, Rhapsody, Pandora and iLike , you can now listen to previews, and (this is the one record companies will love,) it will suggest various ways of purchasing the music. Unfortunately, this service is currently only available in the US.

We all knew Windows 7 was coming, but I’m sure it’s no coincidence that Google waited for this week to announce their two new services. Google Maps Navigation software will eventually become available for other phones, including the iPhone, but we’ve been here before with Microsoft. When a company develops an OS and a crucial piece of software (such as Microsoft Windows and Office), guess which OS gets preferential treatment? Great GPS software on a phone could be a dealbreaker for many users, and no-one is better placed than Google to do Sat Nav well, and you can bet the best experience of Google Maps Navigation will be on Google’s own OS. On the music side, an open system (as opposed to something closed like iTunes) will definitely attract users and creators alike. Google plans to make this service feel more like using Limewire than iTunes.

Meanwhile, Apple have reached a zenith of sorts: iPod penetration has reached a type of saturation point; their latest OS is basically a minor upgrade; and the initial euphoria of the iPhone is being replaced by a sort of “so what?” feeling, as other phone makers catch up.

Think about it: Apple’s ad campaigns (“I’m a Mac/I’m a PC”, “There’s an app for that”, and “10,000 songs”) will soon start to sound a bit lame against strong rival phone and handheld operating systems, and the might of Google’s search applied to music.

Of course, the great white hope for Apple is this mysterious “Tablet”. The Tablet may be Apple’s game-changer, revolutionising the world of publishing the way the iPod changed music forever. But now there’s no doubt that Apple needs to change the game, and soon.

Tags: Apple, Google

This entry was posted on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 39 10391000000031UTC50 ppm5031 10 3910 3110UTC pm and is filed under Macintosh, Miscellanous, Music, Technology, Video. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.