Before the final tally from the ongoing POPCAN survey is completed, this note shares what’s been learned in the early stages. Across participants in Canada and the United States, the responses so far offer a lively snapshot of everyday choices that shape how people spend their time, money, and leisure. The survey covers tastes in media, technology brands, coffee culture, cinema habits, and snacks, creating a mosaic of preferences that resonates with a broad audience. Although the data is preliminary, it already reveals patterns worth watching as more respondents weigh in, and it helps illustrate how Canadians and Americans differ or align in their routines. The aim is not to lock in conclusions today but to provide a useful, accessible picture of current attitudes and preferences that can evolve with the final results. In the coming weeks, the full dataset will be analyzed in detail, but the early view offers a clear sense of where interest is centered and how people articulate their daily choices.
Which do you prefer?
Which do you prefer in the modern era, Internet or television? The early results lean toward the Internet, with a clear majority naming it as their favored medium. Respondents describe online platforms as the primary source for news, entertainment, and social connection, while television remains valued for scheduled programming and certain experiences that even streaming cannot fully replace. The split hints at the ongoing shift from traditional to digital channels, with mobile devices and high-speed connections enabling instant access, personalized recommendations, and a more participatory consumer experience. The numbers may shift as more voices are added, but the momentum behind online media in both countries is visible in the current tallies.
Which brand captures more affection: Nintendo or Apple? Apple’s edge is evident in the early counts, reflecting strong loyalty to ecosystems that combine hardware, software, and services. This trend underscores how devices that integrate seamlessly with apps, cloud storage, and seamless updates tend to win hearts and wallets, especially among younger and tech-savvy audiences. The answers hint at a preference for premium design, performance, and the confidence that a single brand can meet a wide range of needs, from communication to creative work to entertainment. While Nintendo remains a beloved name in gaming, the current data shows Apple as the frontrunner in this comparison.
Which coffee shop brand wins the most votes—Starbucks or Tim Hortons? Tim Hortons currently holds the lead in early results, a reflection of brand familiarity, broad menu options, and ubiquity in everyday routines. Coffee choices often tie into daily rituals, commute patterns, and regional preferences, and both brands legibly anchor a reliable experience across neighborhoods. The results reveal how accessibility, price, and a sense of community can influence where people choose to sip their beverages. As more data pours in, the gap could narrow or widen, but at this stage Tim Hortons appears to have the pull.
When it comes to movie-watching preferences, the initial response favors going out to the cinema, suggesting that there is still a social aspect to movie-going that streaming cannot wholly replicate. The cinema experience—collective reactions, large screens, premium sound, and a sense of occasion—continues to hold appeal, particularly in urban centers and among audiences seeking shared experiences. Of course, at-home viewing remains popular for convenience, flexibility, and the comfort of a familiar couch, so the eventual balance will likely reflect a mix that depends on lifestyle, location, and access to film premieres.
Most popular categories track mainstream choices that many families and individuals rely on daily. In beverages, Coca-Cola takes the top spot; in dining spots, Mandarin leads; in candy, Skittles comes first; the favored chocolate bar is Aero; and the most popular meal is pizza. These selections track with long-standing brand recognition and cultural touchpoints, illustrating how familiarity and consistent quality shape everyday preferences. The spread of these items across provinces and states underscores how common consumption patterns can create a shared baseline even as other tastes diverge.
People’s most desired outcomes and aspirations include wealth, global harmony, and extraordinary abilities: a wish to be rich, to see world peace realized, and to possess superhero-like powers or superhuman capabilities. Such dreams reveal a blend of pragmatic financial ambition and idealistic hopes that resonate across many households. The mix of everyday practicality and grand fantasies hints at how people imagine a better future for themselves and their communities, whether through economic security, peaceful coexistence, or a dash of imaginative possibility.
Note that these early findings are provisional and may change as more responses come in. The POPCAN survey invites anyone to participate, share their opinions, and join the chance to win a $150 gift certificate to Best Buy Canada or donate it to a charity of the participant’s choice. The incentive is designed to encourage broad participation while recognizing varied preferences for giving and gifting. As more Canadians and Americans cast their votes, the picture will sharpen, offering a richer view of contemporary attitudes toward media, brands, and daily rituals.