Why would you search for Rocksmith?

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Wow!  Rocksmith is like GitarHero but with a real Gitar?  Looks really cool:

worthplaying.com/article/2011/10/19/reviews/83789/

Learning how to play a musical instrument can be a challenging task, so when Ubisoft announced it was making a game that used an actual electric guitar as a controller, there were plenty of skeptics, including us. In order to put Rocksmith through its paces, we decided to have someone with zero guitar experience (outside of the plastic Rock Band variety) give the game a go. While it has a few rough edges as a game, Rocksmith is a surprisingly fun way to learn how to play.

Searching for a barometer?

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This is probably a follow on to the Google Ice cream sandwich.  Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus is going to include a barometer.  And a lot of people were wondering why that is a good thing.

Tweets:

Gizmodo Gizmodo
The ace up Android’s sleeve might be… a barometer?gizmodo.com/5851288/why-th…

Symbiantweet Symbian Tweet
RT @pocketnowTweets: What Can You Do With a Barometer on a Smartphone? pocketnow.com/android/what-c…

rewiredinc The Re-Wired Group
The new Android phone has a barometer. Crowdsourced weather prediction? Not likely, here’s why: ow.ly/72une

What is a Barometer?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barometer

A barometer is a scientific instrument used in meteorology to measure atmospheric pressure. It can measure the pressure exerted by the atmosphere by using water, air, or mercury. Pressure tendency can forecast short term changes in the weather. Numerous measurements of air pressure are used within surface weather analysis to help find surface troughs, high pressure systems, and frontal boundaries.

I wonder if some people thought it might be a bar-o-meter instead of a bar-om-e-ter.  Like a meter to measure bars.  I’m sure there is an app for that.

Google Ice Cream Sandwich

Coming is the #20th most search thing on Google from the USA, we have “Google Ice Cream Sandwich”.  This is Google’s latest version of Android.  It was just released.  It is the only pure technology item on the list of top 20.  Of course we do have barometer and teleprompter, but the search for those was really prompted by something else. 

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Google News:

www.google.com/search?gcx=w&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=google+ice+cream+sandwich

Who is Ashley Greene?

Ashley Greene comes in as #11 in the top 20 search phrases.

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Wikipedia to the rescue:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_Greene

Ashley Michele Greene (born February 21, 1987) is an American actress and model, best known for playing Alice Cullen in the film adaptations of Stephenie Meyer‘s Twilight novels.

Played in the Twilight Saga:

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2005 Punk’d Girlfriend 1 episode
2006 Crossing Jordan Ann Rappaport 1 episode
MADtv Amber 1 episode
Desire Renata 7 episodes
2007 King of California McDonald’s Customer
2008 Shark Natalie Faber 1 episode
Otis Kim #4 Straight-to-DVD
Twilight Alice Cullen Teen Choice Award for Movie Fresh Face Female
Nominated–Scream Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated–
Scream Award for Best Ensemble Cast
2009 Shrink Missy
Summer’s Blood Summer Matthews Straight-to-DVD
The Twilight Saga: New Moon Alice Cullen Teen Choice Award for Scene Stealer Female
Teen Choice Award for Most Fanatic Fans
2010 Skateland Michelle Burkham Premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival
Radio Free Albemuth Rhonda
A Warrior’s Heart Brooklyn
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Alice Cullen
2011 The Apparition Kelly
Butter Kaitlen Pickler Post-production
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 Alice Cullen Post-production
2012 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 Post-production
LOL: Laughing Out Loud Ashley Post-production
The Boom Boom Room Adeline Winter Filming

But why is trending today?  A look at the news does not provide clues:

www.google.com/search?aq=f&hl=en&gl=us&tbm=nws&btnmeta_news_search=1&q=Ashley+Greene

 

Maybe it is the Demi Moore comment on LOL where she calls Ashley Greene ‘Sassy and Saucy’. 

www.twilightish.com/2011/10/demi-moore-talks-ashley-greene-in-lol.html?spref=tw

Most people probably know Demi Moore, and the issues going on with her marriage.  People are probably listening to her.  When Demi says “Ashley Greene”, a lot of people probably do not know Ashley Greene (like me), and therefore went to go search for her.

Teleprompter

Teleprompter is #19 on Google Trends list…. how?

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Tweeter:

politico POLITICO
Report: A truck carrying President Obama’s podium, teleprompterand audio equipment was stolen in Richmond, Va.: politi.co/oUbXby

washingtonpost The Washington Post
Remember Obama’s stolen teleprompter and podium? Yeah, so do comedians wapo.st/nQN31B

southernlizzie southernlizzie
Conan: Obama Recently Had His Teleprompter Stolen, and You Can Definitely Tell – Teleprompter – Fox Nationnation.foxnews.com/teleprompter/2…

TheWrap TheWrap.com
Conan: Obama Without His TelePrompTer Is Like, Well, This (Video) tinyurl.com/66k4t2c

DaveGraveline Dave Graveline
Obama’s teleprompter was stolen Monday. When asked for comment, the president had absolutely nothing to say.

Searching for teleprompter in Google News produces this result:
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Republicans, comedians, and the media start using the word teleprompter, stolen, and Obama in the same sentence, and enough people go to Google to find out what a teleprompter is.   Unless you have done video yourself (very few of us), taken a tour of a television studio, or seen a televised speech live, then it is surprise you may not be familiar with it.  It is kind of interesting that the people who report the news see these teleprompters all the time.  To them, it is probably surprising that so many people are not familiar with them. 

This is one case where the Google trends provides an insight into mass ignorance on what a teleprompter is and their curiosity to find out.

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What is a teleprompter?

It is a device the puts words in front of the camera.  The person that is being recorded can read the words while looking directly into the camera, and the audience watching the recording will not see the words.

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Here is a YouTube video that explains it:

Mitt Romney, Rob Paul, and Newt Gingrich

Mitt Romney is #9, Ron Paul #10, and Newt Gingrich is #17.  It is interesting to see these 3 but not see Rick Perry or Herman Cain on the list..  Is that because people already know about Rick Perry and Herman Cain but want to find out more about Romney, Paul, and Gringrich?  Or does it mean there really is more interest in these three?

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Actually, looking at wikipedia, there are quite a few GOP presidential candidates that are missing:

Why have these three made it into the Google Trends top 20?

Doing a Google News search for Romney doesn’t suggest much:

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It does probably indicate why Newt made the list.  Apparently at the recent debate there was some interest in the interaction between Romney and Gringrich.

Google News search for Ron Paul does not generate many clues either:

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A little bit more about Newt Gingrich in Google News:

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Interesting headlines:

Palin: Gingrich won the debate
Go, Newt, Go! Gingrich Super Committee Slam Highlights GOP Fashion
Newt Gingrich Under Your Mistletoe? Merry Caucus Campaign, Iowa!

 

Definitely the most advocative results of the three. 

Romney related tweets of interest:

kathygriffin Kathy Griffin
Wow watching @CNN @AndersonCooper host GOP debate.Romney/Perry girl fight reminding me of a "Bad Girls Club" spring break

GlobeMCramer Maria Cramer
Perry v. Romney: The story that started it all: Illegal immigrants toiled for governor – The Boston Globe shar.es/b7feu #WH2012

thinkprogress ThinkProgress
Romney reveals details of Medicare plan: "We’re going to give people vouchers." thkpr.gs/nJggly

stevebenen Steve Benen
Romney last night: "I want to reduce taxes on middle-income families." Problem: he really doesn’t bit.ly/qjDWVe

RonPaul Tweets:

RonPaul Ron Paul
"I say we replace the income tax with NOTHING" #CNNDebate #RonPaul #GOP2012 #tcot #tlot #teaparty #economy

lewrockwell Lew Rockwell
‘Ron’s Best Night’: Writes Todd McAdams: "It was Ron’s best night so far since the "heavyweights"… bit.ly/o9lqh2 #tcot @ronpaul

ketelsen Katie Ketelsen
First political tweet: The more I hear #RonPaul speak the more I like him. ht.ly/72ob4

Gringrich related tweets:

SuPerlative73 Sudan Life |718
Gringrich & Santorum were not invited to the after debate party festivities… Because they were described as quote…"Not Ballers!"

thesportsexpert Riker Kasamoto
Love reading all these tweets about the #GOP. Gringrich is getting a lot of support and everybody hates Rick Perry.

PullOutKing Money Mitch
Dog there’s no way I would vote for a candidate named "NewtGringrich" naww get’em outta here

tdkelly Tim Kelly
If we have to listen to Newt Gringrich for seven 3-hour debates, the terrorists have already won.

Still not much insight into why these three are suddenly of interest and the other ones are not..

Why are people searching for “soulja boy”?

Soulja Boy is #8 in Google Trends.   He is an rapper: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soulja_Boy 

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Background information

Birth name: DeAndre Cortez Way

Also known as: Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em

Born: July 28, 1990 (age 21) Chicago, Illinois

Origin: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Genres: Hip hop

Occupation: Rapper

Years active
2007–present

Labels: Stacks on Deck/Interscope

Associated acts:  Arab, Mr. Collipark

Website: thedeandreway.com

Looking at his Wikipedia History:  Lots of edits in October and September.  Only one in August, and lots in previous months as well.

en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Soulja_Boy&limit=500&action=history

Who is Jason Campbell?

Jason Campbell is #7 on the Google Trends.  This is another NFL star.  He was playing as the Raider’s quarter back, but he breaks his collarbone, and the Raiders then acquire Carson Palmer.

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Now we know that Google Trends #1, #2, #3, and #7 are all related to NFL.

Why are people searching for the “World Series”?

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World Series schedule:

Wednesday, October 19th: Game 1 – Rangers @ Cardinals, 8:05 p.m.
TV: FOX
Announcers: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Tim McCarver (analyst), Ken Rosenthal (reporter)

Thursday, October 20th: Game 2 – Rangers @ Cardinals, 8:05 p.m.
TV: FOX
Announcers: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Tim McCarver (analyst), Ken Rosenthal (reporter)

Saturday, October 22nd: Game 3 – Cardinals @ Rangers, 8:05 p.m.
TV: FOX
Announcers: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Tim McCarver (analyst), Ken Rosenthal (reporter)

Sunday, October 23rd: Game 4 – Cardinals @ Rangers, 8:05 p.m.
TV: FOX
Announcers: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Tim McCarver (analyst), Ken Rosenthal (reporter)

(Monday, October 24th: Game 5 – Cardinals @ Rangers, 8:05 p.m.
TV: FOX
Announcers: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Tim McCarver (analyst), Ken Rosenthal (reporter)

*Wednesday, October 26th: Game 6 – Rangers @ Cardinals, 8:05 p.m.
TV: FOX
Announcers: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Tim McCarver (analyst), Ken Rosenthal (reporter)

*Thursday, October 27th: Game 7 – Rangers @ Cardinals, 8:05 p.m.
TV: FOX
Announcers: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Tim McCarver (analyst), Ken Rosenthal (reporter)

*if necessary

World Series in the news

Who is Ronnie Brown?

#3 on the Google Trends chart is “Ronnie Brown”?  But who is he?

NFL player who was traded for Jerome Harrison.  This is really tied to #2 on the list, Jerome Harrison.  I am sure the numbers are very close between the two:

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Mark Paul at Yahoo writes:

The Philadelphia Eagles have already said bye to one of their big offseason acquisitions. Just before the trading deadline on October 19, the Eagles dealt running back Ronnie Brown to the Detroit Lions. In exchange for Brown, the Eagles got back former back Jerome Harrison(notes) and a seventh round pick. As an Eagles fan, the trade is a little disappointing in terms of what the team got back. However, I’m not surprised it happened. Brown has been a major bust since joining the team.

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