Pop Culture Goes High Tech

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

10 Aug 2007 10:24 PM

I have blogged about the power of YouTube in previous entries, but this latest incident truly proves how powerful the medium has become.

Police in New Zealand say they were able to catch a thief thanks to a video posted on the popular Internet video sharing site, YouTube.

According to officers, the man was taped circling the store, stealing a laptop computer, slipping it into his overcoat, then stepping out of the store unnoticed. Or so he thought. Shortly after the thief took off, his performance in the store was posted on YouTube - set to "The Pink Panther" music track. The video entry attracted 500,000 hits from around the globe.

No surprise, one of the viewers reportedly recognized the man and alerted police. The 50-year-old computer thief was later caught and convicted of his crime. A judge ordered him to pay $1,478 in reparation and let him walk.

Speaking of going high-tech, did you know that in a recent survey 64% of women said they would rather receive a digital camera as a gift than half-carat diamond earrings? (Yeah, I know, exactly, what type of women were they surveying?)

Apparently, when it comes to technology, it's no longer just a man's world. Women are getting in on the action too. It's a trend manufacturers are picking up on. In an effort to try to woo women to purchase high tech gadgets to listen to music, watch movies or chat with friends, companies were trying to make products "pretty." They later found that's not what women wanted.

According to manufacturers, female consumers aren't looking for something that is just pink or sparkly, they want something that makes life easier. Hence the recent creation of female-friendly high-tech gadgets, including cameras that print on a docking station and computers that are "plug and play." One company even invented a laptop that accommodates longer fingernails.

And it doesn't stop there. These days companies are making flat screen technology in more female-friendly sizes. There are also devices to hide wires, and all-in-one systems to reduce clutter. Manufacturers stress, it's not about alienating men; rather it's about including women. Gee, I wonder if it's because studies show women now spend more than men on consumer electronics?

Related Articles:

High Tech Night Driving

High Tech Stress

High-Tech Bathrooms

High Tech Bikini

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger