dispatches from the new world of work

Fem-Tech Is Big Business

Last week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas was a technophile's dream. Some of the products are available now; some are "coming soon"; and others, such as Samsung's $40,000 80-inch plasma TV, are clearly not meant for mere mortals.

Since women are spending about $55 billion a year on the latest electronics, the Technology Is A Girl's Best Friend showcase had its own awards, based on "form, function, overall ease of use, and how these products enhance the daily lives of female consumers." GE's GlamCam, a portable webcam/digital camera/mirror, made the list of honorees, but someone had the good sense to put the Roomba in a different awards category.

At the Consumer Electronics Association site, you can browse through gizmos such as a movie player for your iPod, Sony's portable PlayStation, and video eyewear, and read complete transcripts of keynote speeches by Bill Gates, Carly Fiorina, Craig Barrett and others.

Linda Fatherree posted this on 01/11/05.

Comments

In our household, it's me and not my wife that wants the Roomba! Does that make me a metrosexual?
Dave

Posted by Dave at January 11, 2005 3:52 PM

I think that depends on whether or not you also want the webcam with mirror to check your hair before going online.

Posted by Linda at January 11, 2005 4:07 PM

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm... this really points up what Dr. Tom has been saying about consumer spending and female presence - now and in the future.

Posted by John at January 11, 2005 4:07 PM

I followed CES and now following MacWorld.. The designs are awsome.. the kicker is .. are they designing tech products around Feminine demographics ?? It appears that even though the designers/industry may not acknolwedge it ..but these new wave design certainly is targeted to the feminine gender.

Its just a matter of time, before most folks acknowledge the fact, that "female's rock !!"

Rock on Dudettes !!! :)-

Posted by /pd at January 11, 2005 5:08 PM

Welcome to free-enterprise-world "pd" - time to wake up to the new century - if you can thaw your brain in frigid great white north land.

Posted by Brad at January 12, 2005 8:49 AM

I always wondered why most of the techno products were grey or black (except perhaps Bang and OlufsenÂ´s).

I suppose they were addressed to men. I loved AppleÂ´s innovations in design and certainly many other companies should follow the same path.

Posted by felix gerena at January 12, 2005 9:20 AM

Brad, I belive that's theres an error between the keyboard and the chair during your commenting /feedback attempt !

Posted by /pd at January 12, 2005 10:56 AM

As a woman with a slight lust factor going on for all things tech - this news ROCKS! My husband gave me a Zire handheld for Christmas. Love it. Nice color screen although the image resolution could be better. Still, it's a nice upgrade from my bottom-end Palm m100.

Here's an idea for those who are single. Take it and use it if it's applicable. Have a dynamite photo taken. Convert it to digital. Give it to every person in your life who carries a PDA. The nicer the PDA (read: Tungsten), the better. Add a few nice words about yourself. (Call me for personal branding if you need help.) Bam. Next time your good friend/co-worker/sister meets someone who would be a good match for you, voila! They can show them your pic.

Not sure how many are already doing this. I may be behind the curve but for the ladies I deal with, most are hesitant about tech gadgets. I'm breaking 'em in. ;-)

Posted by Mary Rose Maguire at January 12, 2005 2:55 PM

Why are women going to need mirrors on the cell phones as they become more confident in themselves and depend less on living up to the expectations of others? Rather than perpetuate the 20th century female psyche I believe all design will focus more on the independent individual with a flair for attractive design without too much glitz. This will result in a converging design appealing to both sexes. Forget the gaudy lipstick enabled cell phones.

Posted by Dau at January 12, 2005 4:37 PM

Vanity will always have a market. Why else would Diane Von Furstenberg create a couture cell phone? You think such stylization is going to go up in smoke because women are growing more confident in themselves? Some women would say, "Hey, it's because I'm confident that I have no trouble whipping out this jazzy little gizmo out of the Jetson Age to put on my lipstick."

Another thought - I suspect that many boomer women will refuse to be left behind on tech advances like this one. They'll want to continue to be on the cutting edge of any trend out there. They'll be damned if their daughters will get ahold of something cool before they do.

Then again, they may just shrug and continue reading "Real Simple." (Although the magazine certainly doesn't shy away from cool, tech gear.)

Posted by Mary Rose Maguire at January 12, 2005 5:16 PM

Hmm........Mary Rose - love the way you think and even seemingly scheme to get results. I love "Real Simple" and lifestyles it promotes. Any tips for creative caveman athletic types?

Posted by Brad at January 13, 2005 11:16 AM