Worst Company In America Round One: Google Vs. Apple

Here we are at the final match of Round One in the Worst Company In America 2012 Tournament. And while you can argue whether or not we’ve saved the best for last, these two competitors are certainly two of the biggest.

Both companies do a lot of things right but are also afflicted by hubris and make decisions that turn consumers away.

Google is the largest and most popular search engine. YouTube is the largest video uploading site. It seems like everyone has a gmail address (if only to subscribe to porn sites) and Google+ is gradually picking up steam. Not to mention the love many people have for Google Maps, the Chrome browser and the Android OS for mobile devices.

So why does Google need to track everything you do on each of its sites and services? Or Google’s first attempt at social networking, Google Buzz, which landed the company in hot water with the FTC for failing to live up to its privacy promises?

And then there’s Apple, which has succeeded in making products — especially its mobile devices — that customers love and are willing to pay a premium for. But even though devices like the iPad and iPhone dominate their respective markets, does that make them good for consumers?

Consumerist reader Dan explains his anger at Apple’s gouging customers on the popular tablet:

Okay so I get that people love the iPad. I would buy one too. But I don’t see how the company gets away with charging an extra $100 above the base model simply for throwing in an extra 16GB of storage memory – or $200 for another 48GB. Storage memory is the cheapest thing going these days. Apple is actually keeping the device out of the hands of people who could really use it by charging such ridiculous amounts for what is really just a few dollars worth of extra memory.

We expect there to be some heated debate on this one, so let’s just get to the vote, shall we?

(Voting for this poll will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday March 20.)

This is a post in our Worst Company In America 2012 series. The companies competing for this honor were chosen by you, the readers. See the entire WCIA 2012 bracket and schedule of match-ups HERE.

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