BrandZ ranks the world’s top brands according to value, and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) fell from grace last year after being overtaken by Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG). So why did Apple, the company that makes products coveted by people all over, get overshadowed by Google? Some believe it’s because Apple is so obsessed with keeping its products under wraps until they are absolutely perfect.
Apple’s obsession with perfection
According to David Adelman of FinancesOnline.com, many think Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) swooped in and took the best brand title from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) for one big reason. Google’s not afraid to tell the world what it’s working on long before the product is ready to be released to the passes. There’s certainly something to be said about whetting the public’s appetite for a product for a long time before it is ready to be launched. Apple, on the other hand, prefers to for the wow factor and surprise people with new products.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) tends to drag its feet, not releasing anything until every line is perfect. Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) has been turning out product after product though. Google Glass, Google Music All Access, and other products and services have been pouring out of Google’s labs. The company talked about the so-called “Internet of Things” at last year’s I/O conference.
So what’s Apple up to?
As Adelman notes, it isn’t that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s engineers are faster workers or that they are more innovative than Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s. He one of the biggest reasons is because Google releases beta versions of its products to the masses.
Users of those beta versions certainly expect there to be glitches and problems in those early days. In fact, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) uses reports from the masses to improve the beta versions and release the real deal. So Google engineers really have their job much easier because they don’t have to slave away and locate every little problem with something. They let beta testers give them feedback and tell them what’s wrong.
The writer thinks Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has set extremely high standards for itself. Everyone expects the company’s products to majorly disrupt the markets just like the iPod, iTunes, iPhone and iPad did. However, they’ve been disappointed recently. Because of this disappointment, Apple’s brand value has declined.
Why Google beat Apple
Meanwhile Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s brand value has risen because it’s got more of the cool factor Apple once had. As Adelman points out, consumers tend to see Google as being more exciting because it releases beta versions of its products. The company also offers a wider variety of products and works as a team. Unfortunately for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), many still see it as being only Steve Jobs, who’s no longer with us.
In case you’re wondering, here’s the full list of the top ten most valuable brands, with the top four all being technology companies. Infographic is courtesy FinancesOnline.com.
