In the insanely unlikely event either company disappeared, it would mostly provide market opportunities; and how much it might "hurt" in the meantime is a very

In the insanely unlikely event either company disappeared, it would mostly provide market opportunities; and how much it might "hurt" in the meantime is a very personal thing. I'd sure miss my iPhone or my Macbook Air way before I'd miss Google Maps or Search, the two Alphabet products I use religiously. Others might feel differently. If Google were abducted by space aliens I'd immediately start an online ad exchange supported by a ubiquitous cookie. If Apple were likewise abducted I'd fork Android and hire a good industrial designer and try to eat Samsung's lunch before they come to their senses. Neither company makes anything the average user can't live without, and neither company has a monopoly on stuff that excites nerds like us. Both are very very good at some things, sure, but let's not pretend the world really needs them per se.