Apple iPad rules social media even after Microsoft, Google tablet unveilings

In the first round of what could prove to be a lengthy bout between technology heavyweights, Google Inc. appears to have scored an early victory over its rival, Microsoft Corp.

Last month, in the span of nine days, the two tech giants each unveiled new flagship tablet computing devices designed to help counter the growing influence of Apple Inc.?s iPad, both of which generated?thousands of Twitter messages, blog posts and comments on Internet forums.

However, illustrating just how high a mountain Microsoft and Google both must climb before either of their tablets can even hope to rival the popularity of the iPad, mentions of Apple?s tablet generated by Canadians on the social Web significantly outpaced either new device.

On June 18, Microsoft unveiled a pair of ?Surface? tablets running on versions of its Windows 8 software platform, which are slated to launch sometime later this year. Then, on June 27, Google took the wraps off the Nexus 7, an Android-based tablet ? that will cost US$199 and will be available for pre-order later this month.

Based on data collected by Postmedia Network Inc.?s Infomart service, it appears the announcement of Google?s Nexus 7 generated greater buzz among Canadians on social Web than the unveiling of Microsoft?s Surface tablets. In the six days following their respective launches, the Nexus 7 obtained 12% more mentions compared to the Microsoft Surface.

But despite the wow factor associated with the launch of new devices from Microsoft and Google, during the period between June 15 and July 2, Apple?s iPad accounted for 75% of all tablet-related conversations on social media in Canada, according to Infomart?s data.?

Infomart

Social media mentions of Apple's iPad significantly outpace mentions of Microsoft's Surface tablets and Google's Nexus 7 tablet in the days immediately following their respective launches.

Indeed, iPad chatter increased 81% after the Microsoft Surface product announcement, driven mostly by ?comparative mentions made made to iPad in Surface-related content,? according to Infomart product manager Camilo Gonzalez.

After the Nexus 7 announcement, iPad chatter increased roughly 43%, driven not only by the announcement of Google?s new tablet and how it compares to Apple?s creation, but also by mentions related to Google?s launch of the Chrome browser for the iPad.

In terms of total mentions, Google?s Nexus 7 outpaced Microsoft?s Surface tablets, with Google?s new device generating 4,408 mentions in the six days after its launch, compared to 3,926 for Microsoft.

Infomart is a division of Postmedia Network Inc., the same company that owns the National Post newspaper.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FP_TopStories/~3/44Uxhv6fX2c/

shonn greene oklahoma state plane crash syracuse university best buy black friday 2011 ads broncos jets jessie james osu basketball