The narrator discusses the ongoing rivalry between Samsung and Google, two tech giants that have a symbiotic yet competitive relationship. Samsung is the dominant seller of Android phones, using Google's operating system, but the two companies have a history of mutual animosity. Samsung has tried to distance itself from Google by using different design directions, color palettes, and apps, and even partnered with Microsoft to compete with Google.
The narrator argues that Samsung and Google could be unstoppable if they worked together, given Samsung's superior phone hardware and Google's superior Android software. However, Samsung's main objective is to ensure future profits by becoming a hub for services, which puts it at odds with Google, who also aims to dominate the software and services market.
Samsung's partnership with Microsoft is seen as a strategic move to beat Google, as both companies aim to dominate different markets - Samsung the smartphone and wearables market, and Microsoft the computer and gaming market. This partnership is further exemplified by Samsung's willingness to host Microsoft's XCloud gaming platform on its app store, despite Google and Apple's refusal to do so.
The narrator also mentions that Samsung has tried to create its own operating system in the past, but Google's acquisition of Motorola Mobility in 2011 was a significant blow to Samsung's plans. This acquisition allowed Google to build its own Android phones, which were subsidized and sold at a loss to compete with Samsung's flagship phones.
In 2016, Samsung faced a crisis with the exploding Galaxy Note 7s, and Google responded by launching the Pixel phones, which were seen as direct competitors to Samsung's flagship phones. The Pixel phones were designed to be clean and bloatware-free, highlighting the amount of bloatware Samsung puts on their phones.
The narrator concludes by suggesting that Google may have won the battle, as it has subtly woven itself into the fabric of even third-party apps, making them incompatible with non-Google services. This forces Samsung to either create a new operating system from scratch or stick to Android, which inevitably ties them to Google. The narrator speculates that Samsung may be considering phasing out some of its services like Bixby and swapping them for Google services in exchange for a revenue share.
1. Samsung is the dominant seller of Android phones, using Google's operating system.
2. Despite this, Samsung has tried to distance itself from Google, using a different design direction, color palettes, and apps.
3. Samsung has partnered with Microsoft instead of Google in areas where it can't compete.
4. Samsung has used Microsoft's OneDrive instead of Google Drive for photo backup.
5. Samsung has doubled down on this partnership with Microsoft, particularly with the Note 20 series of phones.
6. Samsung has shown a strong partnership with Microsoft's Xcloud game streaming service, which is a significant blow to Google.
7. Samsung has developed its own smart TV OS, instead of using Google's Android TV.
8. Samsung has focused on its own Gear VR, instead of Google's Daydream VR.
9. Samsung has created its own operating system for smartwatches, instead of using Google's.
10. Samsung has been trying to distance itself from Google as much as possible.
11. Samsung has been developing its own OS and plans to make all future watches based on that.
12. Samsung has been fighting Google on the smartphone front, with both companies aligned in terms of objectives.
13. Samsung has been trying to partner with Microsoft to beat Google.
14. Samsung has been allowing Fortnite on their app store, even when Google and Apple said no, because it was a free advantage they could have over Google Android.
15. Samsung has been trying to dissociate Google's role in their products, adding in Samsung replacement apps for just about every main Google app.
16. Samsung has tried to ditch Android itself and has released phones running on their own in-house Bada OS.
17. Google has purchased Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion to prevent Samsung from creating its own version of Android.
18. Google has been threatening Samsung by making high-end Android smartphones, the Pixel phones, which are far closer to Samsung's flagships than they are to Google's.
19. Samsung has been fighting back by pushing its own Bixby virtual assistant and Samsung Connect, which is similar to Google Home.
20. Google has been subtly weaving itself into the fabric of even third-party apps, such that if you don't have Google services, they won't work properly.
21. There are reports that Samsung is talking to Google about potentially phasing out some Samsung services like Bixby and swapping them for Google services in exchange for a revenue share.