Of course, the comparison can limp a bit, what was behind the respective problems, we do not yet know. However, it is clear that it can often be completely impossible to get help from several of the major technology giants. If you buy a Chromecast or another product from Google, you want to be able to trust it to work. If it does not, suddenly you want information about cause and what to do to get your Chromecast started again. Here Google has clearly broken.
When the reports on Chromecast's problems began to emerge on Sunday, no one knew what was the error. More than that the problem was so spread that it was not about any individual, local problem. Speculation spread quickly on forums and any solutions were discussed. One of these was to first restore the device and then reinstall with the date on the phone set for an earlier date. This would potentially go around the problem that they thought was due to an expired security certificate. It would trick the Chromecast that the certificate was still valid and when reinstalled you could then set the date on the phone right again.
Hours later when Google in scattered forums and on X (formerly Twitter) went out with what seemed to be official information was just factory reset something you advised. Although recovery was something that Google's own support pages listed as a possible solution for connection problems.
We also learned that Google was noticed in the problems and is working on a solution. More information would come but we have not heard anything more.
Given the extent of the problems, we on mobile have been completely overwhelmed with questions, I thought this would google quickly. Google's brief announcement that a fix is also under development and that even those who have happened to factory reset their devices should receive instructions to get them started again pointed to a quick solution.
I have heard horror stories about how the person who has been excluded from their Facebook or Google account experienced it as more or less impossible to get in touch with a human being to solve the problem.
To test Google, I try asking a question to Google about a problem with a pixel phone. I google Pixel Support. I come directly to a support page, write in that the finished questions do not give me answers to my question. How long will it take to get hold of a human being?
The answer: Chat or the choice to be called directly has both waiting time in less than a minute. When I arrive, the support person is almost overwhelmingly nice, says she hopes she has attracted a smile on my lips and wishes everything good to me and my family.
So even Google can when and if they want to.