These days, we ladies love gadgets as much as our XY counterparts -- women now account for 45% of all consumer electronic purchases in the U.S. So why do companies insist on using stereotypes when designing gizmos tailored for women?
NPR tackled this question yesterday on Day to Day, with their first episode of a series they'll be doing on women and gadgets. Yesterday's program looked at the ridiculous gizmos companies make in order to woo women -- phones that track ovulation, watches that log workouts -- as well as the good, according to CNET reporter, Molly Wood...
Wood says that companies are slowly realizing that design alone doesn't appeal to women; the product first and foremost has to be good at what it does. Her current faves for women are:
Flip Video Ultra 
Asus Eee PC 
Nintendo DS Lite 
Wood also notes that changing a products name from just it's boring model number to something like the Chocolate or the enV has helped companies find more female customers. We would argue that everyone, no matter what your gender, likes not having to remember LC-4378X.
Last year, I posted a retort to an offensive Marie Claire concept phone focused on women. In it I explained what I thought the ultimate female focused phone would have:
Outstanding audio quality. I'm tired of hearing mumbled words on the other end.
- A one-button distress signal to the closest police precinct, which transfers my GPS coordinates to the men and women in blue. I'd rather have this than mace since it's easy to put yourself in harm's way when spraying that stuff.
- An option to block certain numbers/people from calling or texting me. You shouldn't have to change phone numbers just because you have a stalker or needy ex.
- A mini compartment to store my money and ID, so I don't have to carry a bag with me on a bike ride.
What are you guys looking for in terms of gadgets with a feminine touch?
Do you have any current favorites?
Photos: Hello Kitty, Mobile Whack; Flip, Amazon; Asus Eee PC, Amazon; DS Lite, Will; ShePhone, Marie Claire
that shePhone was in Marie Claire?? i would understand Maxim, but really? Marie Claire? i mean, i don't know much about women's magazines, but i thought Marie Claire had more substance? i don't read any of 'em, really. whenever i've picked up a Self, Vogue, Cosmo, etc., i ended up feeling incredibly inadequate and depressed - and i've read stats that say most women respond similarly, whether they notice it or not.
as for women and gadgets - i know electronics and computers better than most of my guy friends (sans IT friends...who are total snobs), i use them more frequently, and i have not a single issue with any of them. i don't want them in pink or "lite" varieties. i am a big proponent of unisex everything. i can't think of many gadgets that need a gender.
this is less about womanly gadgets and more about encouraging the need for women and men to be seperate (but equal?)
no thanks!
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I want that Hello Kitty laptop. Now. I wannit. I needit.
Ovulation monitor on a phone? I would have paid for one of those. That clearblue easy monitor was the best money ever spent.
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