Apple and Google's Popularity Described in Three Words
Article first published as Apple and Google's Popularity Described in Three Words on Technorati.
After reading an article on Apple and Google's respective positioning as the top two most admired companies in the world, I couldn't help but 1) agree with the rankings, 2) further reflect on what makes them so great, and 3) come up with three words for each company that offers some additional reasoning on their climb to the top.
Apple: Innovative, Sexy, Buzzworthy.
Innovative: Apple has always been a leader in design, and whether it is the choice to use an aluminum unibody for their hardware, or the decision to blanket their retail stores with glass exteriors, the company knows how to make a statement with design. In a world filled with dull black plastic laptops, Apple makes sure its products stand out and get noticed. It is a wonder that other companies continue to play catch up to Apple since the technology and hardware tends to be dealt on an even playing field. What distinguishes Apple is how it uses the technology to create new experiences with existing products. As a result, the company gets noticed by establishing itself as the trendsetter.
Sexy: Feeding off a good design, Apple products are in a word, sexy. You want to hold and use them, be seen with them, and say that you have one. It's no wonder that people take leisure trips to the Apple Store found inside suburban malls or on metropolitan shopping strips. Apple incorporates technology into the world of window shopping, and even if you don't have one or can't afford to buy one at the moment, you still want to sample or touch an iPod, iPad, or Macbook Air. Of course, what Apple really wants is your business, and chances are, with you in the store on a regular basis, it will get just that in the future.
Buzzworthy: When was the last time you discussed when a non-Apple product was going to be released, let alone followed a keynote presentation on its announcement? The buzz surrounding Apple products is nearly inescapable, and whether it is a direct marketing campaign or simple word of mouth, Apple news finds its way to you. Hip and clever commercials early on in the iPod era catapulted the portable music player to dominance. Similarly, product placement in mass media outlets keep the Apple Macbook logo fresh in your mind. And one can be certain that iPads will soon be visible in everyday places ranging from restaurants to big box electronics stores.
Google: Simple, Fast, Free
Simple: One's experience with the Google search engine begins at the minimalist start page. The message is clear: type your search in the big box in the center and you will get results. Similarly, the Google Chrome web browser clears the way for what's most important to be displayed on the screen: the webpage. Going down the list of apps now available from Google, one finds a similar pattern of simplicity. This is what makes Google so popular and easy to use with the masses. Although one could get more use out of the advanced search tools, the focus when using Google remains the simple box that can do so much.
Fast: Google takes pride in how fast it operates, as it proudly displays the time it takes to produce your search results. Everyday, the company makes advancements in making its products work as fast as they can, whether it is in search or in document collaboration. Although Google will always be looking to expand its product lineup, it seems to stay true to its roots and continuously works to improve its search algorithms as well as keeping things fast and current. With today's digital world operating in the now, products like Instant Search and Realtime clearly show that Google understands what the world wants and how fast it wants it.
Free: Perhaps, altruistic is the wrong word for a company that generates billions of dollars a year in revenue. However, when was the last time you paid to use a Google service? With Google, one can obtain an email account, share a calendar, create and collaborate on a document, spreadsheet, or presentation, store and edit pictures, publish a website and even more all with a single login. There's not a hint of a fee coming in the future for any of these products, and though there are ads present in Gmail, they blend in well and often go unnoticed. With the other aforementioned services, ads are next to nonexistent. So, although Google may not be totally unselfish and concerned for the welfare of others, its products are positioned to be available to the masses, and they are there for the taking.
For more thoughts on Teaching and Learning Technology, please consider subscribing to the RSS feed or through email.
After reading an article on Apple and Google's respective positioning as the top two most admired companies in the world, I couldn't help but 1) agree with the rankings, 2) further reflect on what makes them so great, and 3) come up with three words for each company that offers some additional reasoning on their climb to the top.
Apple: Innovative, Sexy, Buzzworthy.Innovative: Apple has always been a leader in design, and whether it is the choice to use an aluminum unibody for their hardware, or the decision to blanket their retail stores with glass exteriors, the company knows how to make a statement with design. In a world filled with dull black plastic laptops, Apple makes sure its products stand out and get noticed. It is a wonder that other companies continue to play catch up to Apple since the technology and hardware tends to be dealt on an even playing field. What distinguishes Apple is how it uses the technology to create new experiences with existing products. As a result, the company gets noticed by establishing itself as the trendsetter.
Sexy: Feeding off a good design, Apple products are in a word, sexy. You want to hold and use them, be seen with them, and say that you have one. It's no wonder that people take leisure trips to the Apple Store found inside suburban malls or on metropolitan shopping strips. Apple incorporates technology into the world of window shopping, and even if you don't have one or can't afford to buy one at the moment, you still want to sample or touch an iPod, iPad, or Macbook Air. Of course, what Apple really wants is your business, and chances are, with you in the store on a regular basis, it will get just that in the future.
Buzzworthy: When was the last time you discussed when a non-Apple product was going to be released, let alone followed a keynote presentation on its announcement? The buzz surrounding Apple products is nearly inescapable, and whether it is a direct marketing campaign or simple word of mouth, Apple news finds its way to you. Hip and clever commercials early on in the iPod era catapulted the portable music player to dominance. Similarly, product placement in mass media outlets keep the Apple Macbook logo fresh in your mind. And one can be certain that iPads will soon be visible in everyday places ranging from restaurants to big box electronics stores.
Google: Simple, Fast, FreeSimple: One's experience with the Google search engine begins at the minimalist start page. The message is clear: type your search in the big box in the center and you will get results. Similarly, the Google Chrome web browser clears the way for what's most important to be displayed on the screen: the webpage. Going down the list of apps now available from Google, one finds a similar pattern of simplicity. This is what makes Google so popular and easy to use with the masses. Although one could get more use out of the advanced search tools, the focus when using Google remains the simple box that can do so much.
Fast: Google takes pride in how fast it operates, as it proudly displays the time it takes to produce your search results. Everyday, the company makes advancements in making its products work as fast as they can, whether it is in search or in document collaboration. Although Google will always be looking to expand its product lineup, it seems to stay true to its roots and continuously works to improve its search algorithms as well as keeping things fast and current. With today's digital world operating in the now, products like Instant Search and Realtime clearly show that Google understands what the world wants and how fast it wants it.
Free: Perhaps, altruistic is the wrong word for a company that generates billions of dollars a year in revenue. However, when was the last time you paid to use a Google service? With Google, one can obtain an email account, share a calendar, create and collaborate on a document, spreadsheet, or presentation, store and edit pictures, publish a website and even more all with a single login. There's not a hint of a fee coming in the future for any of these products, and though there are ads present in Gmail, they blend in well and often go unnoticed. With the other aforementioned services, ads are next to nonexistent. So, although Google may not be totally unselfish and concerned for the welfare of others, its products are positioned to be available to the masses, and they are there for the taking.
For more thoughts on Teaching and Learning Technology, please consider subscribing to the RSS feed or through email.
Comments