Nexus this, Nexus that. Google using the name too much

[2defmouze]

And look at companies like Sony and Panasonic that have multiples types of audio and visual equipment -- HOW WILL PEOPLE KEEP FROM BEING CONFUSED?

WHO WILL THINK OF THE PEOPLE? WHY IS GOOGLE SO EVIL AS TO CONFUSE US ALL?

omgomgomg

I just realized that I have a Samsung phone and a Samsung TV -- AND NOW I CAN'T TELL WHICH IS WHICH!

Done yet?

You made your point, no need to pick on anyone who just wanted to have a conversation.

 

[Hand_O_Death]

This is the most recognizable brand in the world. People see it in languages that they can not even read and know what it is and have a clear picture in their heads of the products.

Google is trying the same thing with "Nexus" meaning Google. It is simple brand recognition (or at least that is what Google wants it to be.)

 

[gabbott]

Nexus is just the branding, I don't think it's confusing because there isn't a device (other than the original Nexus phone) that is simply called a Nexus.... Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 7, Nexus Q.... It makes sense to use it for brand recognition.

 

[Mac58]

MisteB I believe you are confusing yourself by just calling each device Nexus. They are all Nexus devices, however, their name is not just Nexus. It is Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 7, and Nexus Q. I think you are giving the consumer a bit less credit than they deserve. I dont think the average consumer would just say " Hey what is that powering your tv?" "Oh thats a nexus". I think they would say "Oh thats a Nexus Q"

Now if google named all of their devices Just Nexus...then I could understand your argument, but the marketing team around the Nexus brand or even any big time company knows what they are doing...thats why they gete paid the big bucks

 

[mloui921]

Nexus is the brand of Google devices. There is a differentiator at the end of Nexus (or before). Galaxy Nexus, Nexus 7, Nexus Q. Kinda like how "i" is part of Apples branding (although easier to recognize what product is what)
.. iPhone, iPad, iPod. Or kinda like how there are so many different Macs and Macbooks. MacBook pro, MacBook air, MacBook.
Just use the differentiator at the end of Nexus. And you've solved your problem.
Samsung Galaxy too... although Samsung is worst cause they have 50 bajillion phones on the market. But Galaxy is the brand, and a pretty damn trusted brand now in phones.

 

[ShinyTop]

I am writing a letter and maybe suing because I liked the name Nexus Prime.

 

[SammyRocker5150]

I am writing a letter and maybe suing because I liked the name Nexus Prime.

I'll join you on Nexus Prime! I always loved that name! Is it a planet from Star Wars? Is it a phone? That's why its so cool.

On a side note I am excited to see the Nexus brand grow. Idouche is getting stale even though I thing the I trademark is clever.

 

[masterpfa]

I welcome the Nexus name branding and long may it continue. I personally prefer it

 

[DuoWing]

I can see where he's coming from in a sense. Phones/Android devices just aren't known as well as i-products and everything. People only seem to know iPhone or Droid. So at times you say Nexus, Galaxy, etc., people just stare blankly and will ask is that a Droid? The Nexus moniker is the same as what Samsung is doing. At least this way people can go oh it's a Galaxy, or it's a Nexus. People may not understand the exact difference, but at least get an idea of which kind of device it is. This way you'll have your different branding for Android rather than trying to explain to people that it's a "droid" even though it's not. Like other people said with clothing, drinks, etc. Sure there's variations of everything, but this way people will recognize the line. Right now being a name that someone doesn't know of makes it seem not as good. I can't think of all the times I've had to explain how my Zune isn't an iPod...

 

[jalb]

The only time I ever hear anyone say this sort of thing is "confusing" is on tech blogs and in tech forums, and the person saying it is never actually confused.

 

[oldAGE]

OK... my two cents...

I am the more system based educated consumer and a Google guy since the mid/later 90s and I actually agree with the OP. I have used many Google systems, apps, and products for well over a decade and they have this uncanny ability to completely confuse the crap out of the user community who is not tied to developer realm. They change names on their "products" (and some simply disappear only to be integrated in some other re-branded thing) too often and with very poor marketing acumen.

As far as the posts stating that Nexus Q and Nexus R and Nexus LMNOP all have meaning, nope... They don't in the consumer space. Only if you know that a Galaxy Nexus is a phone and a 7 is a tablet do you understand what you are buying. If that's Google's goal, then they have done a fine job. But as the OP argues, they are missing over 97% of their customer base.

Same idea with Verizon and their Droid line. Some here will tell you that defines their Motorola phones until you talk to someone who owns a Droid Incredible 4G LTE (HTC) and all the other HTC variants.

Really good marketing requires absolute understanding of your target audience and I think Google continues to miss it. If their goal is "Geek," then they nailed it... but lost the real money shot.

My guess? Google will change the entire Nexus concept in the next 20 months and simply continue their confusing ways.

AGE

 

[jean15paul]

Ever paid attention to Levis? There are LOTS of different types, all simply differentiated by a number. Levis 501 or Levis 505 or whatever. There are even different types of Levis 501s. Miraculously, it seems, people have been able to understand there are different types and the brand has survived.

If people can differentiate between different kinds of Macs or iDevices or Nikes or Levis or whatever, then they can differentiate between the different Nexus devices.

I just don't think people are as stupid as you're making them out to be.

Wait, what?!?!? There are different types of Levis? What is 505? The only one I've heard of is 501. Apparently Levis isn't affectively marketing to me because I completely do not understand their branding ... but then again, I don't think I've ever bought a pair of Levis.

 

[Kegman]

That makes sense to a certain degree, but I still think this creates confusion. So, a buddy comes over to watch TV, and asks what that odd looking ball connected to your TV is. You tell him it's a Nexus. He replies "I thought your phone was a Nexus?". "It is", you reply. Puzzled look on his face follows. The confusion would be even greater for someone shopping on their own for a product, and not understanding what on earth it all means.

I really don't think your average consumer understands what it means to have a google OS without a skin, and that google is controlling both hardware and software. And, without the average consumer buying these products, there just likely won't be enough sales. Those of us on these forums make up the minority.

you dont have this problem with sony products do you? What kind of tv do you have? "its a sony." But I thought your headphones were sony? Same exact thing.

 

[jalb]

you dont have this problem with sony products do you? What kind of tv do you have? "its a sony." But I thought your headphones were sony? Same exact thing.

Man, I hate it when you go out to buy a TV and accidentally buy headphones. :/

 

[ilhe1s]

I agree with many in here that feel Google is marketing its own brand of hardware. I feel that Nexus belongs to Google and all of their AOSP devices/products. I know when I am purchasing a Nexus that it is supported by Google and is AOSP. That my friends is a good feeling.

p.s. granted carriers do get in the way, but thanks to a huge dev community for Nexus devices I all rest assured that I will get what I want and way more.

 

[Misterb]

Ok guys. Fair enough. I get your points of view, but at the same time still think calling a television set top box essentially the same name as a smartphone is less than genius marketing on their part. Seriously, what happens if one of these products like the set top box is an epic fail? The last google tv was, so it isn't a far stretch to consider it. So, if one of the devices is a failure, it can taint the name Nexus for the other non related lines.

 

[KillerQ]

Apple should stop using the lowercase "i"

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[KillerQ]

Ok guys. Fair enough. I get your points of view, but at the same time still think calling a television set top box essentially the same name as a smartphone is less than genius marketing on their part. Seriously, what happens if one of these products like the set top box is an epic fail? The last google tv was, so it isn't a far stretch to consider it. So, if one of the devices is a failure, it can taint the name Nexus for the other non related lines.

Great point.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[Johnly]

If I were Google, they should put some long awesome hair in those ads behind the nexus.

 

[svfd757]

Ok guys. Fair enough. I get your points of view, but at the same time still think calling a television set top box essentially the same name as a smartphone is less than genius marketing on their part. Seriously, what happens if one of these products like the set top box is an epic fail? The last google tv was, so it isn't a far stretch to consider it. So, if one of the devices is a failure, it can taint the name Nexus for the other non related lines.

That is a good point, but, Apple seemed to have lived through "antennagate" when the i"phone" 4 first came out. Consumers understand that just because one platform flops does not mean that the entire line of products suck.