Most women would choose a new iPod over a shopping spree at a clothing store and even over a romantic evening with someone special, according to Women’s Watch: Girls Gone Wired, a study of women and technology by Oxygen Media.
According to Oxygen, a media network for woman, the study shows that the technology gender gap has virtually closed and that the majority of women are hungry, even voracious, for technology. The study shows that a full 79% of the female market is interested in and using technology.
The good news for geeky guys? 77% of the women surveyed would even prefer a new plasma TV to a diamond solitaire necklace. Score!
Survey Highlights:
Technology is closing the gender gap – men and Women are digital peers
Similar number of devices owned: women (6.6) and men (6.9)
Similar number of devices used weekly: women (4.4) and men (4.9)
Both women and men spend most of their waking hours interfacing with tech
Women (15 hrs/ day) and men (17 hrs/ day)
Both own and use similar numbers of devices, relying most heavily on their computers and cell phones
% who use their computers weekly: women (73%) and men (71%)
% who use their cell phones weekly: women (62%) and men (61%)
Women hold the purse strings. Women are making important purchase decisions about technology
73% of women make tech purchasing decisions on their own (only 27% of women defer to others when choosing what tech to buy - vs. 24% of men)
Women are comfortable with tech
Women are equally comfortable as men in their technology skin
79% of women feel comfortable using tech (only 21% of women wish they felt more comfortable using tech vs. 20% of men wish they felt more comfortable)
They feel confident that they can figure out how to work technological items
83% are not afraid to play around with their tech gadgets (while only 17% of women fear activating functions on devices that they don’t know how to use)
72% of women prefer a hands-on approach to technology (i.e. playing with a device in order to learn how to use it)
46% do their own computer troubleshooting
83% of women are excited about getting a new tech item, and only 7% are afraid they might break it
One third of women identify themselves as “techie,” and 79% feel fully confident using technology (only 21% desire to have more confidence in using technology)
More than two thirds have virtually no fear being left behind by its fast paced evolution (23% fear being left behind - same percentage as men).
Women Love Tech
Women have an amazing 15 hour tech day.
Far from wanting a break from technology, they are looking to increase their usage over time (and decrease sleep, one would guess!) It’s actually men who feel a greater need to take a break from tech.
Over the next five years, women see themselves increasing their usage of six tech activities more than men, including digital cameras, cell phone calls, email, camera phones, SMS, and IM
Only 15% of women often need a break from technology (vs. 20% of men)
Only 12% of women would be relieved if they were without their cell phones (vs. 20% of men)
Women Love Tech Toys
Given the choice, tech items are generally preferred over luxury items like jewelry or vacations
Big screen TV vs. Bling – it’s the plasma all the way
77% prefer a new plasma TV vs. a diamond solitaire necklace
56% prefer a new plasma TV vs. a weekend vacation in Florida
Cell phone vs. Stilettos. It’s the cell phone, hands down.
78% of women prefer a new top-of-the-line cell phone with all the latest features and a sleek new design vs. designer shoes
86% prefer new digital video camera vs. designer shoes
Women would chose an iPod over a little black dress (or a romantic dinner, massage, or a girls night out)
Special Note For Guys: If you think this is license to buy your wife or girlfriend a plasma TV for the next big occassion, think again. These surveys are done, in large part, to help to help Oxygen, a media network for women, work with advertisers and potential advertisers.
with the coming of wireless technology ie use of fibre optic female will not manage
Posted by: felix ogutu at August 3, 2006 03:14 AM
From my house in Milwaukee, three women have slayed the technology dragon to create one of the first podcasts for middle-aged women, called "Single Married Widowed Divorced."
(www.singlemarriedwidoweddivorced.com)
But while we have attracted some local media (Milwaukee Public Radio, “Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,” and “M Magazine” have covered us), and our listenership is quickly growing, we still get a lot of cries for help from middle-aged women telling us that the technology is the hurdle.
It seems while men like technology for technology's sake, many middle-aged women need to know the lifestyle benefit before making the commitment to learning a new technology. For example, podcasting has been male dominated since it began in the fall of 2004 and many of the early podcasts were about podcasts – the technology.
Women are putting on the ear-buds when they see that they can walk the dog or work out, for example, with a pleasant diversion.
--Carolyn Alfvin
creator and host of Single, Married, Widowed, Divorced
www.singlemarriedwidoweddivorced.com
Posted by: Carolyn Alfvin at August 4, 2006 03:33 PM
