Today in TechWhy are women so excited about the new iPhone 5?
Something strange just happened. While dropping my daughter off at school, I spotted some other moms huddled together talking in hushed tones. Breathless chatter to recap the Glee season premier? Oh no, they were talking about the news that Apple is expected to unveil the next iPhone on October 4. A similar scene played right after that while I was getting coffee and then again this afternoon as I waited to check out at the grocery store.
Now, I know I'm excited about a new iPhone release because I cover (and covet) lifestyle tech. But mainstream moms? When did a new iPhone release become that one thing so many women are talking about right now? Is this the new Prada handbag, season premiere of Dancing With the Stars or Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale?
One cool gadget
"Absolutely," says Jane Buckingham of Trendera, a trend forecasting and consulting firm in NY and LA. "Women are buzzing about a new iPhone because one cool gadget can make you feel up to date and do so much for you. It can be a woman's personal assistant, photographer, lifeline, information resource, babysitter, and entertainment hub, all in one."
"Women love beautiful things and products that make our lives easier," agrees my fashionista friend Jennifer, one of those women talking about the iPhone today. "It's hard to justify a new Rolex or Coach clutch right now (in this economy), but flashing the latest iPhone still makes a statement."
According to the folks at Yahoo, searches for "iPhone 5 rumors" by women have spiked nearly 600%. While that's still not beating women's top search topic this week (which happens to be for "breakfast recipes"), there's no doubt something's shifting.
Reality catches pop culture
"This is just the start of a sweeping change," explains Susan Fabry, author of Women Dominate the Global Market Place; 5 Keys to Reaching Them. "In the past, [consumer electronics] stores were dominated by device imagery and complicated, industry-specific jargon — representing the days when technology was considered a man's game. But women make or influence 80% of purchases. Popular culture and reality are finally catching up to each other."
In other words, gadgets are now a girl's best friend. Still, an iPhone 5 over a new pair of Jimmy Choos?
"No contest," says my busy mom friend Heather who also works part time as a model. "The latest pair of Jimmy Choos don't connect me to my family. They don't help us organize our busy lives. They're way too expensive for 90% of us to actually buy. I'll only wear them once a year on date night. But I'll use my smartphone every day."
So what about you? Would you rather have an iPhone or a new designer handbag? What other gadget releases are you excited about?
This article was written by Jennifer Jolly and originally appeared on Tecca
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