Apple Too Closed And Steve Jobs Ego-Led Rants Netgear CEO

Netgear's CEO and global chairman has heavily criticized Apple for its closed ecosystem, blaming Steve Jobs' ego for certain aspects of company strategy, and suggesting that once the iconic CEO steps down permanently Apple will struggle against Android becoming the de facto standard in consumer electronics. Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, CEO Patrick Lo claimed that Steve Jobs' departure is "probably not far away" and that Apple's closed system is leaving content partners "wary" of the company's control.

"Once Steve Jobs goes away, which is probably not far away, then Apple will have to make a strategic decision on whether to open up the platform. Ultimately a closed system just can't go that far ... If they continue to close it and let Android continue to creep up then it's pretty difficult as I see it." Patrick Lo, CEO, Netgear

As for Jobs' ego, Lo criticized the Apple exec for what he believes to be a personally-motivated attack on Adobe's Flash technology. "What's the reason for him to trash Flash?" Lo questions, referring to Jobs' well-publicized open letter to Adobe. "There's no reason other than ego."

While Lo's comments are extreme, it doesn't look like they'll have much impact on Apple's attitude towards Netgear; according to the exec himself, "Steve Jobs doesn't give me a minute!" Still, Cupertino can take some enjoyment from the fact that Lo is similarly dismissive about Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 platform, suggesting that "Microsoft is over – game over – from my point of view."

[Image via Venturebeat]