14 DAY TRIAL // Google and Microsoft are said to be fierce rivals because they compete in several businesses, but the two companies are also working together on a number of projects that could lead to significant improvements benefitting the entire industry.
For example, Microsoft is one of the companies collaborating with Google on Angular, a framework for JavaScript applications started earlier this year. As GeekWire notes, Google employees working on this project use a set of Microsoft tools, including Microsoft’s Visual Studio Code and TypeScript, to develop Angular.
And it turns out that it's this collaboration that's bringing Microsoft and Google closer together, with Google’s Brad Green, engineering director for the Angular project, saying in a statement that the two companies have a lot in common. At least as far as work on this project is concerned, that is.
“It really became apparent that we share the same soul, and we’ve been able to work really well together because of that.”
Still fierce rivals
Even though Google and Microsoft are working together on a number of projects, this doesn't necessarily mean that they're not competing against each other in some businesses.
For example, it's a well-known fact that Google is still ignoring Microsoft's mobile platforms, and the company refuses to port its apps, giving users of Windows Phone or Windows 10 (universal apps only) no option to access services such as Gmail or Google Maps.
There were some rumors that Google might actually bring its apps on Windows 10, but the new OS has been around for some time, and official Google apps are nowhere to be seen, which could be a sign that the Mountain View-based search company hasn't yet changed its mind.
Everyone hopes to see more interest from Google once Windows 10 Mobile comes out, but there's still no confirmation that such a thing would happen.