NEWS: Tuesday Tasting: Fem Phones

GEEK: Tuesday Tasting: Fem Phones

Each week, Ariel Waldman serves a tasting of the latest in sex and tech.

shePhone Shells Out Condoms, Receives Criticism

Wanting to cash in on some of the blog buzz around the iPhone, Marie Claire magazine called on fellow geek girl Mia Kim of Popgadget to help in the design of a female-focused "smart"phone. The end result was a condom/pill dispensing, wine opening, private pleasuring, jealousy-promoting phone. In addition to the fear of accidentally corkscrewing yourself when you're trying to, well, screw yourself, the shePhone definitely flaunts its flaws. Gadgets that promote safe sex should be applauded, but with other features that include "portable tanning laser" (not health conscious), "cell-phone signal jammer" (illegal), and "voice analyzer - is your BF where he says he is?" (promoting jealousy/drama/lack of communication), we can see why women are getting offended. Mia speaks up in Wired's comments, explaining that she had little to do with the final product:

Armani Phone Defines Style With Safety

Recently, Armani launched a phone that received quite a few reviews. Amongst the stylish features, one stood out for female safety (although, it could easily apply to any gender). The functionality of the phone includes a rape alarm, that can instantly alert five close contacts after a few presses of a button. The text alert tells contacts to try calling you, the police, and triggers the built-in GPS to locate you. Armani plans a European release in November.

Spy Ear Eavesdrops For Nosy Nerds

Possibly created for jealous geek girls and guys, a gadget helps significant others be technologically sneaky. The Spy Ear is a device that allows you to eavesdrop on nearby conversations. By simply inserting your SIM card and calling from a different phone, you can turn from an interweb into an IRL troll! The gizmo operates off of GSM to provide coverage for office creeps and covert crazies.

Beyond the sexist comments and imagery..

Why not? If guys could get away with having sex toys in public, you know they would. Unfortunatly for guys, theres the little issue of having a "tent post" in thier pants and the obvious mess to cleanup that gives us away.

Hell, if I they'd make a Fleshlite Phone, I'd be in line to get one.

*BZZ* ".. ooh yeah... just keep callin'.. " Puts a whole new spin on having telemarketers call you....

I'd say plenty of women would find that funny. Most people are rather happy to fit into a stereotype, and this is just one of them. I think it's stupid, and I'm glad there are women who are offended, but it's probably a huge minority.

that shePhone is terrible.

I am surprised they forgot the Mace/Tazer feature. Oh wait, that would be practical......

The shePhone sounds like gimmicky, clichéd rubbish. I want the Armani phone though.