Some of my observations on Youth and Technology from urban markets in India : 

They have multiple touch points with technology :

• Cell phones ñ voice, cams, texting
• TV ñ music, videos movies, gossip
• PCs and Internet ñ searching, IM, groups, forums, journals, blogs, downloading music or ringtones or emoticons, burning disks

As a result : 

• New culture of communication : cell phones and IM : changing the way they communicate ñ texting, cam phones
• New forms of socialising - communities and networks that speak their language not restricted by location, nationality or territory (read this paper 'Exploring the implications on social identity of the new sociology of the mobile phone') 
• Seeking convergence - eg. IM thru' sms messages on their cell phones
• Seeking mobility to fit into their lifestyles - to feel in touch when on the move
• Wanting 'always on' - connected with their peers even when they are asleep - i've often heard them say that they see no problem with getting a message on their phone at 2 am - carrying on a conversation thru' sms - and not remembering much of that conversation the next day - then the archives remind them
• So much information, all the time, constant stimulation - immediacy of flow

Implications as consumers or customers :  

• Allows speed in information flows, power to the customer, constant need to upgrade; impacting brand perceptions ; makes them discerning, with a high bull-shit meter
• Fragmentation and complexity : seeking order in the chaos : need to chunk down, need for 'all-in-ones' 
• World at my fingertips : little money or effort in reaching in or out : speed of conversations : markets as conversations 

I recently read about the Motorola iPhone deal, and thought to myself - what a good idea this is for youth - here i refer to a mindset :), iPod in your cell phone, a combination of convergence and mobility.  Walled garden and business implications for the operators notwithstanding.  The next time you go for a jog, or travel by train to work - you don't need to carry two gadgets ! 

Wonder if it will hold 20 GB and what the pricing structure will be. Also, will it take convergence one step further in allowing an interface with my pc or music system or speakers ?

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