Google’s 5 Biggest Hits (and Misses)

Not content with populating the world with Android handsets, in January 2010 Google decided to rewrite the rules of the wireless game by offering unlocked HTC Nexus One handsets directly to consumers via the Web. Within four months Google bailed on its Web store experiment.

Image: REUTERS/Robert Galbraith

Did you know it’s illegal to sell pharmaceutical products from foreign vendors in the US? Google did. But that still didn’t stop the search giant from running ads for cheap Canadian pharmacies from 2003 to 2009, raking in billions in ad revenue.

Google pays $500M over fraudulent pharma ad charges

Image: flickr/Steve Snodgrass

Starting with zero market share in September 2008, Android is now the most popular smartphone operating system in the US.

Image: flickr/keith.belvay