Marcus Wohlsen writing for Wired says “Google Without Larry Page Would Still Thrive — Unlike Apple Without Steve Jobs”.

Instead of worrying about a Page-less future, investors sent Google’s stock soaring more than 13 percent today to top $1,000 a share for the first time.

Unlike Apple which is only up 35 percent since Jobs’ death. And what is Larry Page if not Google’s Steve Jobs? Uh, well, he’s something else, that’s what.

Wohlsen’s entire definition of “thriving” is apparently based solely on share price rather than financial performance. Yes, Apple’s margins are down, but so are Google’s since 2010. And Google only just made enough in total net income this past quarter to cover the cost of acquiring Motorola Mobility. That’s not even net income from the Motorola division, that’s total net income. In every measurable way other than share price, Apple’s business is stronger than Google’s. I’m not even sure why you have to drag Steve Jobs into this piece. It’s about Google. Except everything is about Apple, I guess.

Which I don’t understand.

UPDATE: The title’s of Wohlsen’s piece has now been changed to “Google Without Larry Page Would Not Be Like Apple Without Steve Jobs”. Also, I originally said “net revenue” when I meant “net income”. That’s been corrected.