Well since apple had the first original UI, which they improved on and then google was able to see and use and easily sync with all their Mac computers...they did the obvious by making a similar UI and trying to improve on it.

it took them a couple years before they had a product worth a damn. In the mean time apple was making improvements along the way as well. Since google has been improving on what they felt the apple UI was missing, it's easy to say that apple either is copying the ideas that google has implemented and have worked well....or they already new and just have taken their time woeking out the best way to implement.

in the end, I really care less to compare. I'm till happy with iPhones and struggle every time I have to use a clients "something else" .

i also struggle with Mac 's since I'm a windows user.