Amid the smartphone patent wars, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has typically shied away from targeting Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) directly, instead opting to drag rival Android OEMs to court. The most prominent case is none other than Samsung, for which Apple initially scored a $1 billion victory that’s since been scaled back and remains up in the air until November.
Earlier this month, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) set its sights on Google for the first time, albeit indirectly as a third party to its Samsung battle. Siding with Apple, courts ordered Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) to hand over certain search terms used in Android’s documentation. Google had argued that complying would be an “undue burden.” U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul S. Grewal called out the irony of the search giant saying it would be too much trouble to produce search data.
The oddest part about the addition of Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) Now to the ongoing patent infringement lawsuit is that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) just cleared Google Now for takeoff within its own iOS App Store.
Google Now for iPhone and iPad
The virtual assistant feature, which many consider to be superior to Siri, was included as an update to Google’s iOS search app, and as such was subject to the standard approval process that all apps face. It’s not like Google just slipped this in without Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) knowing. Apple undoubtedly scrutinizes Google’s submissions to a greater extent than other developers, plus it was all over the news that Google was preparing to bring Now to iOS. Google Now landed on iOS less than a month ago.
Adding Now to the Samsung suit underscores Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s strategy with the patent battles. Apple is attempting to obtain preliminary injunctions against competing devices that infringe on its IP, while it has no problem allowing the exact same features run on its own devices. Competition aside, the presence of Google’s vast array of popular services like Google Maps makes the iPhone better.
This all implies that an iPhone running Google Now would infringe on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s own patents, though I don’t think Apple will be seeking iPhone injunctions any time soon.
Fool contributor Evan Niu, CFA, owns shares of Apple. The Motley Fool recommends Apple and Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple and Google.
The article Apple Thinks Google Now Is Guilty originally appeared on Fool.com.
Fool contributor Evan Niu, CFA, owns shares of Apple. The Motley Fool recommends Apple and Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple and Google.
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