Version: 2008
  • On TV.com: TOP 10 Shows CANCELED Too Soon
" class="mainBody">
Personal Tech RadarE-mail to a friendSend us feedback
Personal Tech Radar
THIS WEEK: SMART PHONES: GEOGRAPHY MATTERS
By Matthew Sweer (February 4, 2004)


Handspring Treo 600
We already know that where you live can say a lot about how you talk, what you eat, and even how you vote politically. But our Personal Tech Radar survey reveals that it also says a lot about your tech buying habits. Smart phones are a case in point. According to the survey, the highest interest in smart phones occurs in the western United States, and the lowest area of interest lies in the Midwest. And apart from issues of adoption, there are even further differences regarding why you'd buy.

Midwesterners seem more focused on convenience, as well as on the wow factor. For example, they rate not having to carry both a PDA and a cell phone more highly than Westerners do (82 percent vs. 74 percent); they also rank getting a stylish-looking device more highly (25 percent vs. 14 percent). Meanwhile, Westerners look for functionality. Browsing the Web was important to more Westerners (32 percent vs. 22 percent), along with a smart phone's ability to sync with Outlook (53 percent vs. 45 percent).

What's Personal Tech Radar?
Each month, we take the pulse of our most tech-passionate readers, then we create Personal Tech Radar (PTR), a 360-degree snapshot that provides up-to-the minute insight into real-life product interests and buying motivations. Track the trends. Learn about hot must-haves. Tell us what's on your radar. And be sure to check back regularly for new PTR info.


Press releases
November 17, 2003 -- Age is Key Factor in Personal Technology Product Buying Preferences, Finds CNET Survey

October 31, 2003 -- Gender Differences Influence Consumer Electronics Purchasing, Finds CNET Study

October 1, 2003 -- CNET Announces "Personal Tech Radar," Capturing Insights and Trends on Digital Electronics Buying Preferences


In the media
December 18, 2003 -- Gifts for all--or just for kids? (Chicago Tribune) (free registration required)

November 24, 2003 -- Got gadgets? Gift ideas for the already well-equipped (SFGate.com)

October 31, 2003 -- Mars-Venus split in product survey (SFGate.com)


  PTR pulse
Throw your personal preferences
into the Personal Tech Radar mix.
Sign up to join our survey and tell
us what's on your mind. 



PTR archive
June 30, 2004
Speaker systems: a package deal

June 23, 2004
Cameras: the digital divide

June 9, 2004
Camera buyers: what gender gap?

June 2, 2004
Notebooks: what is hip?

May 26, 2004
Cameras: changing your minds

May 19, 2004
PDAs: one is not enough

May 12, 2004
Camcorders: older and wiser

May 5, 2004
Notebooks: the laptop generation

April 28, 2004
Digital cameras: women outgeek men

April 21, 2004
Home theater: big picture, then big sound

April 14, 2004
Wireless: the network isn't enough

April 7, 2004
Phones: state your preferences

March 31, 2004
Television: are men really TV hogs?

March 24, 2004
MP3 players: loud, rugged, and small rules

March 17, 2004
DVD burners: the market is maturing

March 10, 2004
Camcorders: don't leave home without one

March 3, 2004
Printers: it's all about the photographs

February 26, 2004
Phones and cameras: after the buy, accessorize

February 18, 2004
Upgrading your display: go flat or go big?

February 11, 2004
Valentine's Day: tech love

February 4, 2004
Smart phones: geography matters

January 28, 2004
Televisions: technojunkies take two
(or more)


January 21, 2004
Cell phones: younger users demand more

January 14, 2004
Desktops: parents take two

January 7, 2004
Handhelds: not just for work anymore?


More digital living:CNET digital homePersonal tech radarThree I can't live withoutGear envyWireless way