Apple vs. Google: The Next Battles

Remember those simple bygone days when Google and Apple were friends, united by their common archrival Microsoft? Yeah, those days are gone. This year the two companies declared war. Google released the Nexus One, and Apple released iAd, each a direct assault on the other company’s core business. And that’s just the start, writes Jay Yarow of Business Insider. He peers into the crystal ball and predicts the next big showdowns:

• Google builds an iPad-killer: Eric Schmidt has reportedly been telling friends that a Google tablet is in the works.
• Google releases Chrome OS: Sure, it’ll be aimed at netbooks, but if it catches on as a free OS, Apple’s already pricey notebooks will start looking even pricier.
• Apple kicks Google Maps off the iPhone: One Apple researcher says the company is working on its own map offering.
• Apple creates its own search engine: That same analyst says there’s a 70% chance Apple has a search offering within the next five years.

For the rest of the list, click here.
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