Gendered product of the day

[firecat]

Probably Sociological Images has covered this already, but the first I saw the mentioned was in a New York Times article about accessories for e-readers.

Altec Lansing "Bliss" in-ear 'phones
http://www.alteclansing.com/ae/us/headphones/bliss-platinum-mzx736/invt/mzx736/

Language used to describe headphones:

• "silver," "gold," "platinum" (designating price points and the fake jewel visible when you insert the earphones)
  
• "petite size"
  
• "designed to fit snugly"
  
• "vibrant, feminine hues"
  
• "Snug Fit™ design" (to be fair, this term is also used to describe their 'phones that don't seem to be marketed specifically for women)
  
• "contemporary colors"
  
• "jewel styling"

This review claims that they are mediocre 'phones for the price:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/altec-lansing-bliss-platinum-earphones

On the planet where I come from, they also have 'phones for people with smaller ears and 'phones for people who like bright colors. But they are labeled "small" and "festive colors" rather than "for women."

The company www.jlabaudio.com (also referenced in the NYT article) seems to come from my planet.
http://www.jlabaudio.com/boqari-q1-luxury-metal-bling-earphones-p-247.html
These phones also have a fake jewel on the end and come in bright colors, and language used to describe them could also be said to be gendered, but more than one gender is referenced. Starting with "luxury metal bling" in the URL and moving on to "Daring, rugged...Shimmering, complex geometric surfaces that beg to be held and touched. Glamorous, extravagant flare...couture...stunning, ...choreographed...luxurious satin finish...brilliant, sparkling platinum grooves....handsomely finished...polished"

Comments

[lilacsigil]

That is confusing! I mean, I like small earbuds, but so does my dad. He's the one who gave me these small ears! I have bought earbuds in the $50 range (to get small ones) but I consider that wildly expensive for earbuds!

[firecat]

I wouldn't spend $50 on headphones or earbuds mainly because I have a tendency to destroy them by dropping them in the toilet or some equivalent.