At VibrantNation.com last week we asked our members – well-educated, active Boomer women – what kinds of tech toys they use and what new consumer electronics they crave.

What devices they own

The survey results reveal what we already suspected: what an active consumer of first-generation consumer electronics this woman is. Our survey respondents told us:

• 63% of them own an iPod or mp3 player
• 44% own a GPS
• 30% use Skype and a webcam
• 28% own a Flip video camera
• 18% own a BlackBerry and 7% own iPhones

These women have time and money, and are adopting new technologies as quickly as younger demographics, and for many of the same reasons: they love products that make them feel more creative and provide more opportunities for connection to their friends and family.

• Their creative juices are flowing, as is their interest in music and the arts. They are using ipods/mp3 players to listen to music and audiobooks), for example, in huge numbers.
• They are still having fun behind the wheel, and GPS products make it easier for them to travel, whether visiting family or road-tripping with friends.
• They are overcoming numerous tech hurdles to connect with their families and friends, and capturing memories: they know more about Skype and webcams than I do, and the purse-sized Flip camera has penetrated this demographic to a remarkable degree.
• Finally, their use of work-related devices like BlackBerries is lower than others. Before they will make a purchase, they need to see a genuine benefit to invest in a new tech product, and many of them don't yet perceive a need to send and receive email on the road.

What devices they crave

We also asked them what devices they crave. The fact that they don't "need" a BlackBerry, for instance, doesn't mean they don't want one. Like most younger consumers, they would love to treat themselves to Blackberries and iPhones, products they don't already own, can't justify purchasing, but would still love to add to their growing collection of electronic toys.

An equal number would like Amazon's Kindle,, the electronic version of the iPod for books. And many asked for a newer, faster computer. This early adopter has proven to be a heavy user of powerful new applications, which has reduced the useful lifespan of her PC.

Finally, one respondent confessed her true desire for something all of us have wanted from time to time: "A geek who knows everything about every possible gadget and program who I can abduct and keep forever at my technological beck and call." As this woman admitted, a geek is "not not really a device," but her response reminds us of the business potential behind the service side of the consumer electronics industry – for the new woman 50+, and for us all. more flash forward»