Which tech company are you most comfortable with

[kiwitt]

It seems as if Microsoft, Apple and Google are the main players and are each competing strongly with each other and "open-source" takes a distant place in the race for the consumer dollar. Each has a mobile, internet and OS option ?

So who do you think is the best ?

 

[GoodGame]

Google needs to get into making portable computers to really compete.

 

[Perfection]

You forgot the darkest of the horses, Facebook.

Google needs to get into making portable computers to really compete.

What about Android?

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Google needs to get into making portable computers to really compete.

I shall refer you to the google Cr-48

 

[mdwh]

Main players for what? Microsoft, along with Apple and open source, are the main players for the desktop (although I'm not sure open source is distant - both Apple and open source are small compared to Microsoft in desktop market share).

Google aren't in this market at all. They are a major player in search engines and mobile operating systems. But then we might as well mention other companies, such as Nokia (market leader in phones and smartphones), or Acer (market leader computer manufacturer). And let's face it, Apple rose to prominence because of becoming market leader in mp3 players, but then we might as well ask who's the market leader in say, digital cameras... (apparently it's Canon). Not to mention companies like Intel and ARM (the latter being very underrated in the media - they're a UK company who are basically the ones powering the explosion in handheld computing in the last ten years). There are lots of tech companies out there, but the media seem to focus on a few much more than the others, which isn't necessarily related to their actual market position.

As for "best" - well I use Microsoft products the most. And whilst there may be reasons to be wary of them as a company, that applies to Google and especially Apple also.

 

[kiwitt]

RE: Google ... it does not need an OS as it considers the "cloud" it's computer and all apps etc, run in it.

So you have Microsoft controlling the Desktop, which is declining in importance, with consoles and TVs now becoming portals to internet and even other apps. It's being in mobile for a while but has not really got the "mojo".

Google trying to control the "cloud" with is apps in a browser strategy. Android is it's attempt to get into the mobile market (doing quite well by all accounts)

Apple with its mobile gadgets where by everyone can be connected anywhere any time. It has the current "mojo" and everyone will try to emulate it and possible even outsell them one day.

 

[GoodGame]

I shall refer you to the google Cr-48

Sweet. I'd be in the market for a notepad, except they aren't taking any more beta-test customers.

At Perf, Androids are fun, but where's the usb to the external full size keyboard? Or the wi-fi link to a HDTV/LCD?
Edit: my,bad https://jornostore.com/?gclid=CImK1Pndy6cCFQTf4Aod0W60EQ



If facebook were on the list, I'd still be uncomfortable of them. Their privacy ethics seems that if you bought their computer, they'd share your credit card numbers with the highest bidder. In terms of ethos, I'd say all three are ok, though I'd guess Apple would have a slight edge (bent antenna iPhone though). All practice an appreciable degree of innovation and sponsoring of experimental developments to boost human productivity (even Micro$oft), so I give them all thumbs up.

 

[Fugitive Sisyphus]

I can only answer the OP by turning his question around a bit. Which company could do without the least?

The worst thing about losing Apple for me is losing iTunes. But that can easily be replaced. Nothing else is remotely important.
I don't care about whether or not the software I use is open source. Free is good though. That's why I like Open Office.
To be honest the only the thing I need from Microsoft is Visual Studio. Which is huge.
But... Google has revolutionized my life. There's Google, gmail, google maps, google calander, Chrome, youtube, and more. It would be hard to get through the day without these.

So for me..
Google>Microsoft>Open Source>Apple

 

[kiwitt]

I'd agree about Google, it has changed our lives. Made the internet more useful and fun.

 

[GoodGame]

It seems funny that I'm hearing that Apple is about to bury Google's product, the Android. Market hype or truth? (iPad vs. android).

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Android has long ago buried iOS in the market share.

 

[Strider]

Yeah. Android phones have completely buried Apple's iPhones in just a year-ish. The windows phones are just a tiny blip on the map. Google was the main benefactor of the Android OS, but remember that it was designed as a collaboration between the OHA (Open Handset Alliance) of which Google is just a member of. Other companies that helped in designing the Android specs are Intel, Samsung, HTC, Nvidia, and Motorola.

Although you have to remember that Apple never held the top-spot in smartphones. That honor was held my Symbian for years until the Android specs just passed it up slightly this past year.

Here's a little graph based on the 2010 data:

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Allowing it on many devices has also helped.

Now, one may argue that android is the OS, and iPhone/iOS is a complete phone-software package, but if we look at both from the standpoint of apps (which is where the majority of the focus is really) then the sheer market that Android has does indeed count.

 

[Mise]

TBH it's a mixed blessing that android allows it on pretty much any device it wants. There are some really, really crappy handsets out there running Android and selling themselves as "smartphones", when they simply don't have the power to run any apps or anything. That harms the brand. Apple's brand is built on making top-quality handsets, and Microsoft have kinda copied that idea now with Windows Phone 7 by setting minimum standards for the handsets that use the OS.

Also, if you look at the chart for profits instead of units, Apple completely obliterates everyone else.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

If it is single choice Id say opensource as it would be extremely hard (if not impsosible) to create lockout later on.

 

[Perfection]

At Perf, Androids are fun, but where's the usb to the external full size keyboard?

This took like three seconds of googling
http://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Bluetooth-Portable-Blackberry-Smartphones/dp/B002ZNIWJ6 (presume you don't care that it's bluetooth rather than USB, I'm sure there are USB keyboards as well)

Or the wi-fi link to a HDTV/LCD?
Edit: my,bad https://jornostore.com/?gclid=CImK1Pndy6cCFQTf4Aod0W60EQ

I'm not sure about wifi link to HDTV/LCD as I've never seen that on any phone, but wired link devices do exist http://androidandme.com/2010/04/news/droid-incredible-does-tv-out-video/

 

[civ_king]

Lets look at criteria
mobile: Android=cool, iOS=okay, M$=eww, Open Source=wait what?
internet: Chrome=meh, Safari=cool, IE=disgusting, Firefox=okay I guess
OS option: Cr-48=no offline, Snow Leopard=cool, Windows 7=not that bad, Linux=too complicated
Winner=Apple

 

[kiwitt]

Lets look at criteria
mobile: Android=cool, iOS=okay, M$=eww, Open Source=wait what?
internet: Chrome=meh, Safari=cool, IE=disgusting, Firefox=okay I guess
OS option: Cr-48=no offline, Snow Leopard=cool, Windows 7=not that bad, Linux=too complicated
Winner=Apple

So you can see my dilemma

 

[Zelig]

Lets look at criteria
mobile: Android=cool, iOS=okay, M$=eww, Open Source=wait what?
internet: Chrome=meh, Safari=cool, IE=disgusting, Firefox=okay I guess
OS option: Cr-48=no offline, Snow Leopard=cool, Windows 7=not that bad, Linux=too complicated
Winner=Apple

This is the worst summary of any of these things I have ever seen.