When most people go on the internet, what do you think one of their first pages open is? If you said Google, then you get a gold star! Let’s face it, nowadays Google isn’t just something on the internet, Google IS the internet.
Google is a central place that owns all of your information. Do you use Google+? Cool, Google owns your vacation photos to the Bahamas. What about an Android phone? Yep, Google knows who you called, when you called them, and they know what it’s about. I don’t care who you are, that’s really creepy. The best part about Google having your information is that they sell it to companies. I mean, who wouldn’t want all of their personal information such as browsing history, personal photos, and phone messages shared with unknown companies?
Okay, okay. Google isn’t all bad. Just for a minute, I’m going to put the privacy policy aside and look at the actual products. I have to admit that they have some of the best products. For example, Gmail is the king of internet email. Nobody can beat it in terms of features and compatibility. And Google Voice is the only thing of its kind (well, that I’ve discovered anyway). However, Google hasn’t been innovating as of late, besides Google Glass of course. Google Glass, in my opinion, is pretty much a $1500 risky, privacy invading investment that may or may not be successful.
Let’s take a look at Google Keep. It’s a note taking application that syncs between your desktop and phone, but only if it’s an android device running ICS 4.0.3 or higher. It’s a shameless Evernote clone that doesn’t have nearly as many features. If Google is going to rip of something, they should at least make it better. Also, Evernote is available on nearly every platform, not just Android 4.0.3 or higher.
Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room (besides the elephant on the Evernote logo), Google Reader. I’m not going to lie, I never really got into Google Reader. It’s always been one of those “oh hey! I’m a feature of Google that lots of people love”. That’s not to say that the closing of Reader isn’t one of the reasons I’m leaving. Google shutting down Reader seemed rather unnecessary and it makes me wonder what beloved service they’re going to shut down next. Who knows? Maybe Google Voice is on that list.
So here’s what I’m going to do. Over the next couple of months, (let’s have July 1st be my deadline in honor of Reader) I’m going to be dropping Google. I’ve already dropped search for DuckDuckGo and I use App.Net and Twitter for my social networking needs. The hardest part of leaving is going to be Gmail, and Google Voice.
Have you tried leaving Google or are thinking about it? Sound off in the comments and tell me about your experience with going Google-free.
The Boardman Perspective 