Google and Apple climb the customer-satisfaction polls
Google and Apple are at the top of their game and rising even higher, according to a survey of American attitudes toward brands.
The University of Michigan posted its 2008 (ACSI) this morning. Among the industries, Google and Apple hovered above the competition.
In the search-engine category, Google scored an 87 out of 100 鈥� eight points higher than last year and 9 points higher than No. 2 Yahoo. These ranks come as Yahoo continues to push away from the failed takeover attempt by Microsoft and investor fallout that鈥檚 . By comparison, Yahoo was one percentage point ahead of Google in last year's ACSI. There鈥檚 still concern that the Microsoft bid distracted Yahoo from developing exciting new products and allowed Google to jump ahead.
Among computer-makers, Apple led the competition with 85 out 100. Second place Dell earned a 75, and, like Yahoo, slid several percentage points since 2007. CNET wondered if Apple benefited from being 鈥渢he only company .鈥� The new Microsoft operating system has been a bit of a black eye for the company 鈥� . The ACSI polled consumers before the iPhone release and MobileMe bungling, so those two events had no effect on Apple鈥檚 score.
Apple and Google also deserve mention for being the only two breakaway hits in the tech sector. all had much tighter competition this year. MSNBC and NYTimes snagged 鈥淚nternet News鈥� with 76 and 75. Toyota and BMW led 鈥淎utomobiles鈥� with a pair of 87s. All the 鈥淢ajor Appliance鈥� makers got an even 80.
