OK, I’ll say it straight away, I love Google! Not as I love my fantastic girlfriend Tonje, but as you would love your car or iPhone (if you’re into that:P). The following is me venting my thoughts on Google, Apple and what I like and dislike about them. Hopefully you will understand why I like Google.:)
Google and Apple are two quite different companies in different markets. Obviously Android and iPhone is competitors, and more may come, but for now they have mostly different markets. Google does developer tools and web services (main target/market: developers, corporate and consumers) and Apple does hi-end, exclusive consumer products (main target/market: consumers).
Humble
I generalized Google’s and Apple’s target groups, but I understand that that it’s not necessarily the reality. Google is moving over in the consumer market with Android and soon Google TV. The interesting this is to see how they do it and what their attitude is like. In most all aspects of Google (if not all?) they are like “we made this, and are excited to see what you guys can do with it” and really wants user input on what the products is like and how to improve it. They give you a choice, they are open, they listen to user/developers, they empower users and developers.
Arrogant
Apple on the other side I feel is more like “we made this product. its awesome. love it!” and then they hype it and present it in a way that make people think it is it super awesome and that Apple invented everything that is good in the world. Yes, I’m a little negative towards Apple. Don’t get me wrong, they have some great products, but they completely brainwash people to think that they are perfect and God of technology. People will swallow everything they throw at them. Heck, it’s a hell of a good marketing strategy which obviously works very well, but I don’t like it! ;p
So why care?
You could give a big /CARE and, well, just don’t give a crap. :p But I think most people do care about these things. How much may vary but I most do. Do you? I do for the same reasons I use Linux. One of them is principal. Others is that I like to have freedom to choose and not having one man telling me what to think and like. My last tweet encapsulates the essence of how I perceive these two companies (at this moment at least).
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate Apple. I just don’t love and buy everything they say or do (or sell). I’m actually going to buy a MacBook soon. Yeah, the irony. I know. 
You may not feel this way at all. What do you think about it? Feel free to express yourself in the comments. 