The color of its skin.

Carla Thomas from Popular Science wrote about the proliferation of gadgets coming in the color pink, just a week after the release of the Nintendo DS lite in Pink (only for Japan at the moment).  She posed the question: Isn’t it just a little patronizing of companies to suggest that technology has to be pink for the gadget-conscious female to buy it?  Maybe, if you think turning gadgets pink was for the purpose of girls who are already gadget conscious.  If you do though, I think you're missing the point.  "Gadget-consciousness" is typically a boy thing. 

Gadget makers have traditionally been marketing to the traditional gadget-buyer; men.  Gadgets are turning pink to attract girls to become gadget conscious.  I of course think that is a good thing.  It gives us geeks at least one thing in common with the new trendy girls.

All seriousness aside, is Sony, with their upcoming release of the PSP White now trying to make the traditionally gadget-unaware groups of neo-nazis conscious of the pleasures of portable gaming?  (The billboard pictured below is real, from the Sony Dutch-only advertising campaign for the PSP in white.)

Photos from http://www.1up.com/ and http://www.smarthousenews.com.au

Comments

[Vanity Ruins]

Okay yeah, I found that last to be in pretty poor taste. There's a dozen other ways of making that add without the threat attempt.

On the other note, I don't find pink gadgets to be patronizing at all. On the contrary, as a gadget-conscious female I find the pink to have a quaint 'kitsch' factor. ;)

[idlik2b]

That's pretty harsh. There's enough of that happening in the world already without art trying to imitate life.