Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt was recently in Japan to unveil and announce the availability of the Google Nexus 7. During interview he made a few statements about Apple and Google Maps. First being that it was Apple’s choice and not Google‘s. They wanted to be partners and keep Google Maps on the devices, but Apple wasn’t having it. Not all that surprising when you think about all the law suites and bad blood towards Android that Apple has.
“We think it would have been better if they had kept ours. But what do I know?” Schmidt told a small group of reporters in Tokyo. “What were we going to do, force them not to change their mind? It’s their call.”
He goes on to say that Google hasn’t done anything yet and that any potential offering of Google Maps in Apple Store would still be their decision. They did put YouTube through, but will they let G-Maps in? Who knows really. They do have full control over what can and cannot be offered in their store.
“I’m not doing any predictions. We want them to be our partner. We welcome that. I’m not going to speculate at all what they’re going to do. They can answer that question as they see fit,” he said.
So the question is will Apple allow Google to put their Maps in the Apple Store for customers to download and install? Will Apple see the errors of their ways and offer their flock of followers the map experience that they have learned to love over the years? Like Eric said, it is their call. Hopefully they figure it all out soon.
We did love what he said during the showing of the Nexus 7 to the crowd though. While he maps open he showed how you could pan around by moving the tablet, “Take the Apple.” TO make sure it wasn’t taken as a direct attack he added,  “That was a joke by the way.” We all know how a simple joke can turn into a battle. Still, pretty funny and light-hearted. Good to see they all still have a sense of humor with the whole ordeal.
Source: Reuters
