Big Boys' Toys: Why Men Love Gadgets

From sports cars to spy cameras, power tools tomusic to building your own e-commerce business. A
wireless power gadgets-guys love technology. Mostfeature-packed cell phone lets you check your email,
men have at least one high-tech obsession. It could beplay your favorite music, and even download a movie
the latest gas grilling equipment, a cutting edge fly rod,or television series in addition to keeping in touch with
the newest graphite golf clubs, computers,your friends. A well-made power tool lets you build
electronics-the list goes on and on. It's obvious thatanything from furniture to sailboats to motorcycles
guys love gadgets-but why? Here are just a fewfrom the ground up. Guys love gadgets because they
possible reasons.don't just make our lives easier-they make impossible
The "Wow" factor. Let's face it: a shiny newachievements commonplace.
techno-toy is cool. From the latest plasma screen TV'sEntertainment value. Technology doesn't just improve
to slender, stylish mobile phones, a beautifully designedour lives-it also makes things more fun. Entertainment
machine is sure to catch a guy's attention. Manytechnology has come far in the past decades, from
gadgets are designed to maximize the coolnessearly radio and television to cutting-edge plasma
appeal: electronic card shufflers for the card shark inscreens, video games with astonishing graphics, and
your family; sleek Mp3 players and mobile phones thatmore. No matter what you like to do for entertainment,
look good out on the town; computer speakers thattechnology takes fun to a whole new level. And it's
look like contemporary sculpture. The "wow" factor iseverywhere in our culture-almost everybody has a
elusive, and it's usually a combination of style andtelevision, a radio, a CD collection, a computer, and
function.many other gadgets. Today, even our most simple and
It's all about status. Cutting edge technology is a statusfamiliar toys have been given a technological overhaul:
symbol. And even those of us who insist we don'tdolls walk and talk; teddy bears play songs and tell
care about such things get a secret thrill from owningstories; and toy cars have remote controls.
the latest and greatest. Those gadgets cost money,The cutting edge is addictive. Once you get into
and they send a signal that the owner has it to spare.techno-toys, it's hard to stop. You get excited when
They also give the impression that the owner isyou see the newest model out on the market. You
educated, trendy, and plugged-in. Most social speciesread about the new features, you watch the reviews,
have ways to determine status among their members,you comparison shop until the price comes down-and
and human beings are one of the most complex socialthen you jump on the best deal. If you love gadgets, it's
species in the world. Techno-gadgets are just onehard not to keep up with the latest trends. No matter
way guys can display their status among their peers.the type of tool, the technology industry is making new
They make guys feel like kids again. Most guys startdevelopments every year. This year's gadgets have
their love affair with gadgets at an early age. Littlemore to offer than last year's, and next year's
boys love remote control cars, video games, kid-sizedtechno-toys are sure to make this year's look like
tools, and more. A new gadget can make a guy feelstone tools. When you're into technology, it's tough not
like a kid again. Playing with high-tech toys is somethingto keep up with the latest trends.
that never changes. It's engrossing, fascinating, andIt's not just men who love gadgets. Women are also
fun-just like it was when he was a kid. Most guys getgetting involved. In fact, it's likely that the sleek, graceful
just as excited now when they're given a gadget forlines of today's technology, from thin plasma screen
Christmas as they did when they were much younger.televisions to stylish mobile phones and Mp3 players,
No wonder gadget gifts are a quick and easy way toare designed to appeal to women as well as men.
a man's heart.Technological advances have made it possible for us
Believe it or not-they're practical. Gadgets let you doto do things our ancestors never dreamed of. With
things you couldn't do otherwise. A cutting-edge laptopeverything we can do with gadgets, it's hard not to
can let you do everything from recording your ownlove them-no matter who you are.