Jobs gouges Google as Apple profits surge

Steve Jobs made a rare appearance on an Apple earnings call to launch a stinging attack on rivals Google and RIM.

The Apple CEO said he “couldn’t help dropping by” for his first earnings call in more than two years, as the company announced record revenue of $20.3 billion for its fiscal fourth quarter and net profits of $4.3 billion.

Yet, the Apple boss had more than healthy financials on his mind, using the conference call to berate his rivals in the smartphone and tablet markets.

Many Android OEMs, including the two largest, HTC and Motorola, install proprietary user interfaces to differentiate themselves from the commodity Android experience. The user’s left to figure it all out

After questioning the sales of Android smartphones, Jobs attacked the ethos and usability of Google’s operating system. “Google loves to characterise Android as ‘open’ and iOS and iPhone as ‘closed’. We find this a bit disingenuous, and clouding the real difference between our two approaches,” Jobs told reporters.

“The first thing that most of think about when we hear the word ‘open’ is Windows, which is available on a variety of devices. Unlike Windows, however, where most PCs have the same user interface and run the same apps, Android is very fragmented.

“Many Android OEMs, including the two largest, HTC and Motorola, install proprietary user interfaces to differentiate themselves from the commodity Android experience. The user’s left to figure it all out. Compare this with iPhone, where every handset works the same.”

Jobs was also scornful of Android’s approach to apps. “In addition to Google’s own app marketplace, Amazon, Verizon, and Vodafone have all announced that they are creating their own app stores for Android,” Jobs pointed out.

“So there will be at least four app stores on Android, which customers must search among and find the app they want, and developers will need to work with to distribute their apps and get paid. This is going to be a mess for both users and developers. Contrast this with Apple’s integrated app store which offers users the easiest-to-use largest app store in the world, preloaded on every Apple iPhone.”