As seen this morning on The Saturday Early Show on CBS (Click here to watch the clip) ... When it comes to technology, not all women have the same needs - or the same tastes. And, as the number of gadgets geared specifically towards gals continues to grow, it can be hard to know which one is right for you.

According to the Consumer Electronics Association, women now account for more than half of the $155 billion worth of laptops, cell phones, digital cameras and other goodies Americans purchase each year; and they "influence" roughly 90% of electronics purchases. In fact, the average woman now owns about five gadgets - the same number as the average man.

Women use technology differently than men. Men want to know what a gadget can do, while women want to know what it can do for them. And what works for one woman may not work for another -- women have different needs & styles. They also have varying comfort levels with technology. Teens and twenty-something have "needs" of their own.

Gadget makers are fast realizing a one-size-fits-all approach does not cut it ... Women actually have varying tech-styles - See 2006 Oxygen Media survey.

1) Ms. Doubtwire:
"Ms. Doubtwire" is a little slow to warm up to technology. She's probably online, doing the email thing and maybe a little web surfing, but not much more. Tech is not really her thing ... But keep in mind, women are the family memory keepers, so you can bet Ms. Doubtwire is at least warming up to digital photography.

Women actually buy more digital cameras than men. That's why you see so many new sleek pocket size cameras coming out. They're very easy to use right out of the box and that's important if you're Ms. Doubtwire. You don't want to spend all day reading the manual or calling tech support. For this group of female tech users, the Kodak EasyShare M-Series digital cameras are a nice option.


Kodak EasyShare M-Series:
- M-Series Cameras start at $149.95, feature a sleek design; lightweight & small enough to slip into a purse.
- Colors include: pink bliss, plum, espresso, arctic silver, snow, denim blue.
- Huge 2.5 & 3 inch LCD screen help for framing & reviewing shots.
- Pictures editing right on the camera - brighten, crop, resize and more with the touch of a button.
- These 7 & 8-megapixels models enable huge poster size shots, which are popular with women.

EasyShare cameras come with no shortage of fashionable accessories like wristlets, fashion Bags, straps and skins - to match your camera and your style.


2) Pragmatechs
This group of female tech users tend to be more career-focused and more tech-savvy. The key for this group of users is functionality. How will the device make their life better, easier, more productive? One thing tech companies are finding out - if you're going to appeal to this crowd - you have to do more than make a product in pink or candy apple red. A fashionable and FUNCTIONAL laptop, like the Sony VAIO CR, fits the bill for a "Pragamatech."

Sony VAIO CR Series:
- Prices start at $1140 for the CR series, which is lightweight and portable.
- The sleek and slim is appealing to Pragmatechs, who are by nature not the "desktop" computer type. Having a computer that will travel is imperative.
- The CR series has the look of a luxury sports car, but what's under the hood is what counts.


VAIO CR features include:
- CD/DVD player/burner (you can watch DVDs on the 14.1 inch screen).
- A 200 GB hard drive is standard, as is built-in wireless networking.
- Battery life up to 4.5 hours.
- Built-in Web-camera and microphone for video chat.
- Colors include Cosmopolitan Pink, Champagne Gold and Dove White & more.


3) Techs in the City
Last but not least, are the "Techs in the City." They're the tech trendsetters; the ones who always seem to be trading in their cell phone or gadget for the latest greatest device that just came out. The "cute" or "cool" factor plays a very big role with them. Tech gadgets are as much something they wear as something they use.

Staying in Touch on the Go
Techs in the City are big into text messaging, mobile instant messaging & e-mailing – think AOL Mobile and even social-networking on the go – enter: Myspace Mobile.


Sidekick Slide from T-Mobile
The new T-Mobile Sidekick Slide is right in the strikezone for this bunch. It goes on sale November 7, so you'll have to wait a few more day to get your hands on it. The price for the new Slide will be $199.00 with a 2-year service contract.

Some features of the new Sidekick Slide:
- The Slide is the sleekest Sidekick ever and easily fits-in-pocket.
- Open it by simply 'sliding' up the screen – hence the name – to reveal the popular Sidekick QWERTY keyboard.
- It comes loaded with a custom-designed MySpace Mobile application, a new Web browser, and includes a 1.3-megapixel camera, enabling you to take and email pictures on the fly.

Some "Techs in the City" actually have more than one cell phone or PDA they use regularly. One for daytime – 9 to 5, while at work – and one for the evening. So, maybe you're a little more buttoned-up at the office with your Blackberry, then at night, when you hit the town, you break out your Sidekick or something else with a little more style or bling.

Speaking of Blackberries ... They are also getting smaller, sleeker ... and dare we say even feminine. A "Tech in the City" wouldn't be caught dead carrying one of the older, black, boxy Blackberries from just a couple years ago, but check out some of the latest models and colors and you're likely to change your mind.


Other Techcessories :

Rocketfish Bluetooth Headset w/ color faceplates.
($59.99 at BestBuy.com)


Bling on a Budget:
There are no shortage of ways to dress up your tech. You can "bling it yourself" for about $10 - $20 bucks. Add a fancy case, a new set of ear buds for your MP3 player. (If you do "bling it yourself" with the stick on/glue on crystals, you do run the risk of voiding your warranty depending on the manufacturer).