#2 Google

Rank: 2

Brand Value In 2012: $113,669 million

Brand Value In 2013: $107,857 million

Percentage Brand Value Change: 5 percent

Google lately has exceeded its own expectations in many areas from internet services to hardware to mobile and PC platforms. Also, this year the Android OS is expected to overtake Apple's iOS as the number one mobile operating system in the US and Canada; and Google Play is expected to overtake the Apple App Store in total number of apps for mobile and tablet. On top of that, display ads continue to be multibillion-dollar revenue generators for Google, not only from its search engine but also from YouTube and DoubleClick.

#1 Apple

Rank: 1

Brand Value In 2012: $185,071 million

Brand Value In 2013: $182,951 million

Percentage Brand Value Change: 1 percent

Apple has had a rough time lately with its stock price in a free fall and the widely publicized failure of its Maps feature. However, it remains a financial juggernaut, posting $13 billion in net income last quarter, making it the most profitable company in the world during that period. The company has its fanatical customer base, and it still refuses to compete on price, making the iconic iPhone and iPad products that are still widely seen as prestige devices. Competition may be stiff, but so far it remains behind: In Q4 2012, the iPhone 5 was the world's best selling smartphone, followed in second place by the iPhone 4S.

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