Interesting perpective and one I've not ever really taken the time to consider.

I've been on the anti-Google bandwagon for a long time. Their privacy policies and the sheer amount of data they have on almost everyone is undoubtedly creepy. I'll never argue it's not. However you can't overlook how many simply great products and services they're responsible for.

It all comes down to weighing the pros and cons of investing so much information in what's basically an advertising company. Even I have to admit though, since the arrival of the NSA and Prism it's hard to believe your personal data is truly safe anywhere. Google is at least upfront and honest with their intentions.

You'll get my iPhone and MacBook Pro when you pry them out of my cold dead hands, but even I'm starting to warm up slightly to their software and services. A year ago I couldn't imagine ever writing that.

And hey, they're still better than Microsoft.