Alll of you are missing the bigger points here. I know this maybe an unpopular opinion. But nevertheless here it's:
Google:
1. Can you think of search any other way? We don't even use the word search anymore. We say "Google" it. That much of an impact it has put.
2. Gmail: all.of you who are complaining, I bet 90% of you use Gmail.
3. Map: do I need to say anything here?
4. Industry changing techonology: large scale database concept, golang, angular and many more. And they don't use it for proprietary development like swift
Amazon:
1. Shopping: I don't have to say how much it has changed your life. You don't need to bargain. The price is always less.
2. Kindle: best reader out there. You know how competition tried and failed.
3. AWS: I don't have to tell you what it has done the technology world. Most startups are possible today because of AWS.
4. 2 day shipping: before Amazon, nobody knew you could have such shipping.
You can see how society has been impacted positively by these two companies. Apple: more money for less tech.. that's the impact they are giving it to the society. They are teaching us that once you have your customer by balls, squeeze them as hard as you can. All they can do is moan and groan! If you think that's positive impact, I am sorry.
Note: Some good points are raised here, so not trying to be negative. Yet will offer some counterpoint—with due respect.
Per
Google:
1. Although often referring to The Google, as in Google it, I don't really mean it or often use their service. The best overall search engine—well, aside from censorship algorithms—yes, but at what price? Their practices are nothing less than insidious, all the more as if some day they fall out of favor with one you cannot just retract all the data you've (freely, if often unknowingly) given them. An outfit like DuckDuckGo is more upfront, and largely adequate if indeed rather good.
2. I rather doubt 90% of the readers here use Gmail, but point taken. If not Gmail, myself guilty as well of using a free email service which is actually not. There do exist good, paid, alternatives.
3. Google seems to have the best maps online (if, tangentially, one could try USGS). The downside is Google tracking your every move. In many cases the mapping offered from someone like DuckDuckGo will answer.
4. Google's reach is astounding, if rather like an octopus. They are to be congratulated for initiative and for some fairly good software, being 'free.' I'm not certain, maybe some great software as well. Just don't consider it free.
Per
Amazon:
1. Amazon shopping is quite convenient, with a broad selection and good prices. However their pricing is
not always the lowest, a little research will reveal this at times. More to say on this below.
2. Unfortunately Kindle doesn't have much serious competition in readers. One might try the Nook from Barnes & Noble, which is okay if not perfect. Apple doesn't seem much interested in this niche, despite its Books offering. Judging solely from Kindle for Mac, they have some way to go before being perfect, or even entirely pleasant. With a little work an ePub can look great on an iPad (especially the Mini that Apple over prices and otherwise ignores).
3. As I recall I heard that Apple was using AWS in part for its iCloud service—and THAT news with mixed feelings. Well, not so mixed, as someone always touting their concern for privacy should not be routing your data through someone else without your prior knowledge, possible encryption or not. Nevertheless this highlights the advances Amazon has made in this field.
4. Amazon
has raised the bar for online shopping and expectations of what it might be, including the speed of shipping. I do wonder if a Prime membership can remain such a bargain. That aside, the question of what it might entail—other than the obvious benefits—in the long run. As with Google, they have a keen interest in you as data.
Per
Apple and the rest:
For all possible positive attributes, no doubt these last several years that Apple has become more rapacious. Being most unfortunate, and not worthy of the legacy bequeathed by Mr. Jobs. Someone, by the way, who was
not adverse to charging premium prices—if
usually in exchange for premium products and services. Yes, I know, habitually under powered in relation to Windows, etc.—but still, overall a very good experience, and why the customers.
The greed of Mr. Cook seemingly knows no bounds. It wouldn't be so bad if Apple's products Just Worked as before, but whereas there were always glitches from day one of Apple, now oft legion. I will not go into the use of glue.
The point of any of this is that each of these respective corporations (Google, Amazon, Apple) might rightly be respected for what they have accomplished. In a variety of ways they have each improved our life's, or at least provided that opportunity. This is truly so.
BUT one should not easily dismiss the downsides. To begin with each is a business, not your friend. More importantly each has become a near monopoly in their respective fields. This works somewhat fine (unless you are being put out of business by Amazon, etc.) as long as they are benign. However when about the only game in town or so then we move from customer with options to the consumer that can be dictated to—and otherwise owned in various nefarious ways.
For its various faults Apple at least seems interested in improving the life's of its customers, if not so much of late. It can also be applauded for having some notion of personal privacy. I'm not sure that is in Amazon's lexicon. But other than what he is doing to other competitors, Mr Bezos' primary concern seems to be running a competent company, with the public thus far largely the beneficiary. Google is another matter.
World domination is likely too paltry an objective for Google. They are in so many varied facets of our life because they want to control them all. No doubt there are short term benefits to the consumer, but one is playing a very dangerous game with them. I believe their expressed creed is "Do no evil," but wouldn't the Devil tell you much the same?
Thomas Jefferson said: "The selfish spirit of commerce knows no country, and feels no passion of principle but that of gain." This perhaps a bit cynical, so to the extent someone like Amazon is feeling magnanimous and noble then we can thank them and our good luck. But if wishing to remain
customers with options, then we'll exercise this with all due caution and good common sense.
Caveat Emptor.