[willifred]

Thanks for the thoughtful answer. I now see that there are a number of parallels—but I still think the contrasts are more striking.

First of all, Eric Schmidt did an excellent job. In 2011, Page inherited a that is hugely profitable, practically owns search, and has successfully expanded into many other markets. While there's no doubt that he'll do many things differently, you can pretty much guarantee it's not going to be anything on the order of the massive purges Apple experienced in the late 90s. Apple in 1997 was mortibund; almost nobody thought Jobs had a serious chance at turning it around.

Schmidt successfully did for Page and Brin what John Sculley was supposed to do for Jobs; provide guidance for an inexperienced founder until they can assume the chief executive role.

And while I agree with much of what you wrote, I take exception to the idea that, outside of search, Google 'doesn't do anything particularly well'. They have a range of excellent and successful products, most of them well integrated into their core business. I refuse to accept the idea that, for example, Maps, Gmail and Android aren't products 'done well'.

[jroseattle]

Certainly, Page will be buoyed by the results of Schmidt's tenure. The pressure on Jobs to improve the situation is certainly greater than the pressure on Page, at least in that respect.

My comment about Google and there other products is that they don't do anything exceedingly well over the competition outside of search. It's not that their products aren't done well, they just don't differentiate the company. Maps, as you point out, is a fine product -- but there are other map products that are just as good. Gmail vs. other web-based mail? Android vs. iOS? While fine products, they don't put Google head-and-shoulders above the market.

By comparison, nearly every product offered by Apple is considered best-in-class. The iPod. The iPhone. The iPad. The iMac desktops & laptops.

To be sure, achieving was Apple has achieved is no small matter, even for the bright minds at Google. And, it's not to say that if they don't reach that point, Page's tenure as CEO amounts to failure. But, I believe the expectations are for Google to achieve some of that best-in-class dominance, because of their position in search.