Maceo D. Trahan: June 2013

All data are property of Google. All analysis is done for fun and learning.

Looking at the trend info from Google we can put aside many of the prejudices that come with fan-boyism and look at the worldwide data to understand a little more clearly what the world, in general, thinks of when considering each company.

We'll be looking at five companies with strong presence in mobile:
Apple, HTC, LG, Samsung and Sony.

Here is the general graph of the five companies compared in search strength (i.e. Interest) since 2004:

I have included the link to the original trend search here so you can play with the data on your own, if you like.

First up is Apple (represented by the blue line)

If you follow mobile media it would seem that Apple is mostly known for selling iPhones and iPads. This appears to be only recently the case most recently.

Trend

In terms of graph knowledge we can see that Apple is trending upwards and has grown to nearly double in searches since 2004. Upward spikes in the trend for Apple seem to be highly driven by media coverage and by product release dates (not shown for clarity).

Search Strength

Most interesting is the fact that far and away the search term "apple store" is the leading term over the 2004-2013 period. Suggesting that most Google searches are people wanting to browse or spend money with Apple. A good position to be in for any company!

Also, notable is that Mac, iPod and Apple TV appear considerable higher in search than both the terms iPad and iPhone.

Related Terms: Apple

Next up is LG (represented by the red line)

LG appears to globally known for it's display technology with DVD and cellular and Optimus following well behind. It seems LG is popular in Cuba, South Korea, South America and Eastern Europe.

Trend

LG is trending flat to down. Nothing really exciting. Apparently, being the most recent builder of the Nexus line isn't making a huge impact in LG's popularity based on global searches. There are little to no spikes worth notice. Search for LG is a dead zone.

Related Terms: LG

Next up is HTC (represented by the gold line)

HTC seems to share the same fate as LG yet with a smaller variety of products to support global interest in Google searches.

Trend

Little to no search spikes of notice even if you limit search results to 2013 (sorry HTC One fans).

HTC is a search dead zone (except for Taiwan and the middle east). Based upon searches HTC is what it is: a mobile device manufacturer. Perhaps, ironing-out management difficulties or producing more than just phones will increase HTC's brand strength, at least in terms of search.

Related Terms: HTC

Next up is Samsung (represented by the green line)

Samsung, like Apple, is a strong brand in terms of search.

Trend

Apparently, the Galaxy Nexus release sky-rocketed Samsung well above all other competitors with Apple remaining a close second. The trend is strongly up over double and is up-trending stronger than Apple.

Search Strength

Despite manufacturing more items than mobile devices Samsung is now globally known for making Galaxy devices. In search terms you can also see that the term "android" is a common related search phrase.

Related Terms: Samsung

Whether you like it or not, since the Galaxy Nexus, globally speaking Samsung means android.

Last is Sony (represented by the purple line)

Like Samsung, Sony manufactures much more than mobile devices.

Trend

Sony is in a serious downtrend from an incredible high in 2004 which dwarfed even Apple. Apple was able to overtake Sony in general search March 2011 presumably with the news of the iPad 2. Search trends are clearly down for Sony and is a clear sign of trouble with global interest.

Search Strength

While BRAVIA, Playstation and Sony Music are long standing brands for Sony they rank fairly low on the search strength. The VAIO team should be commended for ranking strongly in association with Sony against the BRAVIA and Playstation terms.

Related Terms: Sony

Also mentioned...

So I don't receive the scorn of anyone brave enough to read this far, for greater scope, I have included a quick chart of Motorola, Nokia and Blackberry against Apple and Samsung.

Comment
Nokia: Down-trending with no recent search spikes
Motorola: Heavily down-trending with no search spikes beyond 2007 [ insert sad face]
Blackberry: Showed something of a pulse after 2009 but has since been trending down after late 2011 perhaps due to Samsung Galaxy Nexus release.
Microsoft: Very similar to Sony (above). Heavy down-trending. Not known for mobile and it shows in search strength.

All data are property of Google. All analysis is done for fun and learning.

Thank you for your time. I hope you found this informative.

Please share and comment!

By +Maceo Trahan

image from http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/

Today I got a chance to hear some truly unbelievable headphones today at the Sony Style store. Popped the jack into my phone and BOOM! I heard sounds that were totally hidden before today.

I stood mesmerized by sounds I hadn't previously heard before. The growl and wobble of the bass strings on stand-up bass at the beginning of So What from Kind of Blue. Radiohead's 15 Steps was incredibly dynamic and airy. Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.3 felt live and impactful. Marvin Gaye sounded like a true bard of the 70's.

Today I felt like I heard music for the first time, again.

I also listened to the Sony X05 series headphones today but at the same $199 price, after a recent price drop, the X10 series (or just X) are unmistakably superior.

The X05 had great sound but the bass was punchy and made my cranium wobble. The X offered rich, warm bass that didn't feel jacked up to compensate for other missing clarity.

While I didn't buy these headphones today I know it won't be long until I get my own pair. The hardest decision will be whether to get the Silver/Black combo or the Silver/Red combo.

The Sony X headphones are unreal.

Check em out!

Sony X Headphones:
MDR-X10/BLK
MDR-X10/RED

Maceo D. Trahan

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Google Trends dishes on which company is on top in mobile via search

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Today I felt like I heard music for the first time, again.

About Me

Blog Archive