The Idea Blog

Two companies whose products I use – a lot – are increasingly squaring off as competitors in key areas. They are so much alike, yet so different.

Google promotes the cloud, an internet-centric digital life. Apple lives at the crossroad of hardware and software, and much of what works about Apple products is that one is almost always designed with the other in mind.

I use Apple computers, but my email reader is Gmail. I rely on Google apps, but I’d rather use my iPhone for mobile connections than the Droid.

BusinessWeek’s cover story this week is about the impending competitive battle between the two companies, both their products and their philosophies. It’s good reading.

It’s nice to have worthy choices.