It's that time of year, again, folks. The time when companies around the world start compiling top lists based on the trends of 2012. As is tradition, search giant Google has released its top search terms for the year, analyzing over one trillion queries to reveal just what its users have spent the last 12 months looking for.
This is the 12th year Google has released its Zeitgeist and the company says it's the most global to date, with a total of 838 lists covering 55 countries. Google also added some new functionality, including an interactive map that shows where and when some of the hottest terms spiked around the world, and a Google Zeitgeist Android app is already available for download.
Singer Whitney Houston topped the top 10 list for search trends worldwide, following by Gangnam Style, Hurricane Sandy, iPad 3, and Diablo 3. Kate Middleton, Olympics 2012, Amanda Todd, Michael Clarke Duncan, and BBB12 rounded out the top 10. English pop group One Direction came in at number one for images, followed by Selena Gomez, the iPhone 5, Megan Fox and Rihanna. Justin Bieber, Harry Styles, Minecraft, Nicki Minaj, and Katy Perry rounded out the top 10.
Google's 2012 worldwide Zeitgeist features a total of 11 lists, including one dedicated to consumer electronics. So, what was the top trending gadget in 2012? According to Google, it was Apple's iPad 3. Samsung's Galaxy SIII came in second place, while the newly announced iPad mini came in third. The Nexus 7 and the Note 2 rounded out the top five. Also on the list were the PlayStation, iPad 4, Microsoft Surface, Kindle Fire, and Nokia Lumia 920, which occupied spots six through 10.
Check out the full Zeitgeist here to see the complete lists as well as lists from individual countries. Google also released a 2012 'Year in Review' video, so be sure to check that out, too.
