We've gone to great lengths to discuss how Google (and by extension Android) is truly Microsoft's biggest rival in the smartphone world, but if we were to continue the comparisons it wouldn't be wrong to think they were striving to be more like long-time frenemy Apple. The history of the two companies is simply fascinating and it's clear that the two have immense respect for one another even today.

The interesting relationship between the two mega-corporations has thankfully continued as Apple CEO Tim Cook had an interesting response to a broad question about the smartphone market. When asked by the press if Apple considers as one side of a "two-horse race" with Google's Android, The Verge recorded what Tim Cook had to say:

"There's a horse in Redmond that always suits up and always runs, and will keep running."

It's a flattering for Microsoft to say the least and shows just how much mindshare the company has captured with Windows Phone and Windows 8. As Microsoft's ecosystem of products and services begin to merge, it's wise for the Apple CEO to recognize the potential of their fellow technology competitor. The real question in 2012 for many is whether or not Microsoft deserves that kind of respect for having such low market share numbers, and we can't wait to see them answer that.

Source: The Verge