Wii Beats PlayStation For Search Popularity Before Holidays

Searches for Nintendo's Wii outnumbered those for Sony's PlayStation 3 as the holidays approach, according to figures released this week.
In fact, Hitwise reported more than three times as many searches for the most searched-for gaming console, the Wii, than for PlayStation 3 during the week ending Dec. 9. The console ranked first among electronicssearchterms for "Nintendo Wii" and third for searches with just the word "Wii," according to Hitwise.
"Despite scant availability, Nintendo Wii is the more sought-after game system with Internet searchers," Hitwise announced Tuesday.
iPods took four of the top 10 spots with the terms, "iPod," "iPods," "iPod Nano," and "iPod shuffle." "PSP" and "PlayStation 3" ranked seventh and eighth, while the xBox 360 rounded out the top 10 electronics searches, ranking ninth, according to Hitwise.
Footwear took six of the top 10 spots for accessories and apparel, with " Uggs" and " Ugg boots" leading the pack with a 121% increase in search share compared with the week ending Dec. 10, 2005. Heelys (up 150% from the same period last year),DCshoes, Crocs, and Timberland boots also were popular. Coach purses,Fossilwatches, and NFL jerseys rounded out the top 10 most popular clothing and accessories searches, Hitwise reported.
Among toys, Baby Alive not only "eats and poops," she also holds two of the top slots. Baby Alive ranked first, while Baby Alive doll ranked third among most popular toy searches for the week ending Dec. 9. Fisher-Price's digital camera came in second, ahead of Barbie (fourth), and American Girl (seventh) searches, according to Hitwise.
"Our search term data reveals that the 2006 holiday season is the first time that new digital toys have outpaced some of the more traditional items in our top searched-for-list such as Barbie, Bratz, and American Girl," said Bill Tancer, general manager of global research at Hitwise. "However, Baby Alive, a doll originally introduced in 1973, took two spots in the top 10, demonstrating a renewed interest in retro toys."
Moon Sand, which hardens when baked and crumbles when reheated, ranked fifth, ahead of Digi Makeover. Bratz (eighth),Lego(ninth), and Crayola Cutter (tenth) rounded out the top 10 for toys.
Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Target, Overstock.com and BestBuy.com ranked highest among Hitwise' top retail Web sites.

Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Target, Overstock.com and BestBuy.com ranked highest among Hitwise' top retail Web sites.