Steve Jobs declared “thermonuclear war” on Google’s Android operating system in 2010, calling it a “stolen product.” Now, his successor is going to battle against Apple’s new most dangerous rival.

Steve Jobs held deep animosity towards Google's Android operating system, viewing its similarity to iOS as "grand theft." He famously stated his intention to "destroy Android, because it's a stolen product," and was willing to spend his "last dying breath" and every penny of Apple's then-$40 billion in the bank to right this perceived wrong. Jobs even told Google boss Eric Schmidt during a meeting that he wasn't interested in monetary compensation, asserting, "I want you to stop using our ideas in Android, that's all I want." This strong feeling led to Apple's extensive legal battles against Android manufacturers like Samsung and Motorola.

Jobs's feelings stemmed from the fact that Google's Android unveiled in November 2007, just ten months after the iPhone's debut, despite a previously close relationship between the two companies. Eric Schmidt, who was Google's CEO at the time, also sat on Apple's board from 2006 to 2009. His dual role was criticized as an "inexcusable betrayal of Steve Jobs' trust" by patents blogger Florian Mueller, especially as Google was developing a direct competitor to iOS while Schmidt was still on Apple's board. Schmidt resigned from Apple's board in August 2009, stating he "couldn't stay on the board anymore."

The "thermonuclear war" Jobs threatened manifested in aggressive legal actions, with Apple suing multiple smartphone makers using Android. For example, Samsung faced bans on its Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia and Germany due to patent infringements and "look and feel" similarities. Although Android rapidly grew to command around 48% of global smartphone shipments compared to Apple's 19% at one point, Apple continued its vigorous defense of its intellectual property. The company's strategy was to prevent the commoditization of its innovations, learning from its past experiences where others exploited its early ideas.

Now, Apple is reportedly facing a new rival in OpenAI. While Apple previously partnered with OpenAI, even integrating ChatGPT as an "answer engine" on the iPhone, the relationship has shifted towards rivalry. OpenAI, which has been exploring a potential public offering, has ventured into hardware by recruiting former Apple designer Jony Ive to develop an AI-powered device that analysts believe could challenge Apple's products. OpenAI acquired io Products, a company co-founded by Ive, for nearly $6.5 billion as part of this initiative.