What a Woman Wants

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What does a woman want in today's testosterone driven technology world? Something to facilitate her busy lifestyle or something completely different?

Google this phrase and 214,000 hits later you’re wondering what it really is that women want, in what seems to be such a testosterone driven industry- do we want the cliché pink gadgets to feminise a particular article of technology? Do we want to cast all differences aside and be treated exactly the same as any other random Joe in the world of technology? Or do we just want to work technology into our lives interpreting it as each individual sees fit?

I found it quite interesting when I started typing the search term ‘women’ into Google, the pre-populated drop down search box offered up ‘women’s weekly recipes’; who would have thought that the typically "male" dominated industry would expand and meet the demands of the 'fairer sex' in the technology stakes.

The future

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The industry has decided that the future for women in technology will be friendlier. Women are poised to change the face of the technology consumer (perhaps a darker shade of red?). The long awaited marriage of fashion and technology has paved the way for women to follow the yellow brick road into the once male dominated world. Women, however, are using technology in ways not attempted by their male counterparts. The ease in which technology slides into a woman’s life is akin to the latest Manolo Blahniks. A catch up with a girlfriend now involves several texts to her whilst waiting at the café, a Facebook status update and a scan of any new e-mails; all done with grace. Over the course of the conversation, hisnew girlfriend is the topic of conversation, oh you’ve never met her, it’s ok we can check her Facebook photos. Yes she is fatter than you. I also saw this T.D.F dress and killer heels, how do I describe it? Oh never mind, the shop is online, let me get my phone to show you. Actually just what is the capital of Vladivostok? The way technology has entered into our social realm is all encompassing.

How often do you catch up with a girlfriend over a coffee or a cocktail or even dinner and before you know it you’ve both whipped out your iPhones and are saying, ‘Darling, you’ve just got to see this…’ Like it or not, technology has changed the way we interact with our friends, it’s become a focal point - so in your face if you don’t embrace it you will be left behind wondering what all the technology fuss is about. Case in point – I was having dinner with a large group of friends the other night; surprisingly, no-one had their phone on the table during dinner, perhaps because we were a mixed group, however, no sooner had we walked out of the restaurant was everyone reaching into their bags/pockets for their phones. Alas, there is one in the group who to her shock and horror has left her phone charging on the kitchen bench!!!!!!

The idea of always being in touch with someone, always knowing what’s going on in the world, being able to look up the weather in your favourite overseas destination and being able to Google Maps something as you wander lost down an unfamiliar street is somewhat comforting. So comforting in fact that it makes you wonder if people prefer to communicate and socialise through their preferred technology medium as opposed to the ‘actual’ contact of sitting opposite a friend. We are so comforted by our phones we feel lost and naked without them.

So...What does a woman want...?

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Something that’s easy to use and compact? Something that’s ‘feminine’ looking? Something that will just work the way it’s supposed to, the first time? Or something that will keep you connected with your friends, whilst facilitating your busy schedule and lifestyle making your life easier all at the same time? Is there ever going to be a definitive answer to this emerging question, can the technology world share?

Interesting sites to consider:

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•  www.wit.org.au/

• www.popgadget.net/