After attending Teens in Tech last week, http://teensintechconf.com, I had quite an awakening. I went to San Francisco with visions of extraordinary technology insights from those who will be leading us into the future. And yes, I did take away some new and exciting trends, but what was far more interesting was observing this room of incredibly intelligent and creative teens and some of the messaging from the speakers, many of whom were kids themselves. Aside from the technology trends, the two truly formidable takeaways were this: 1: College is a waste of time and 2: Technology is for Boys.

Now there are several blogs and recaps of this event that are very informative and give a great overview of the speakers, such as http://www.sparkminute.com/2010/02/06/cool-and-not-so-cool-from-teens-in-tech. This was a brilliant collection of speakers, and it was truly a great event. However, I have yet to find any article or blog that touch upon the points myself and a few others in the room observed:  the knock on college and clearly obvious lack of girls in the room.

Within the speakers’ preachings and anecdotes, from the charismatic Danny Trihn to power team of John Ramey and Zak Hassanein, there was this thread, weaving in and out… and that was that college, for young technology entrepreneurs at least, was a waste of time. I heard things like “College is great for parties…” or “College sucks in a lot of ways…” Now to be fair, this was not a TOTAL slam on college or attending…. but in that room, full of impressional minds, there isn’t much of a difference from saying “School really isn’t that relevant….” to kids embracing and deciding that school really isn’t that relevant for me either.

Now taking this back and sharing it with the studio and some of our partners was also very enlightening. We did a small survey and found that yes, around 40% of the high school kids (and not even tech-minded/entrepreneurs) thought college was a waste of time; not too expensive, not too difficult to get into, but just not relevant. Is this trend new, no, but why now? If it is because of the economy, that is one thing, but if college programs and educational leaders can not keep up with 13 year old minds, I think we have a problem.

The second and somewhat unfortunate observance was the weak representation of female teens at the conference. They really should have called it ‘Teen Boys in Tech’. I mean, where were all of the girls? Of all the speakers, only one came to represent the female side of Teens in Tech, a group of 2 teen female entrepreneurs, http://smartpowered.org/connect/, came to work that day. This well spoken duo had a fantastic presentation that touched upon not only technology but education, environment and community. I was so very impressed and pleased, that was until it came time for questions. Much to my dismay, these girls were hardly asked about technology, environment or education, but rather how this was going to achieve financial rewards or, and this was the cake topper, if they were available for a date later on. Of course, all in good fun, but as an observer, it was painful. The boys in the room got a good laugh out of it, but what did it say for the future of girls in technology? So disappointing, but who in? In gaming companies for not producing authentic and addictive games for girls? In schools for not encouraging young girls to look down the path of programming or designing?

Overall, the conference was as good as it’s reviews and I definitely look forward to next year. The young minds of today are quickly making such a powerful impact on society and our future…and with these kids leading the way, that future is bright. I think perhaps next year, a few colleges should represent…at least to listen if not to speak; and unless they change the name, could only hope that we see a few more girls there too.

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This article is very interesting and sheds hopeful light that new technology like the  ipad and  smart phones are signs of our economy recovering.  This article came from Strategy Business that I suggest you subscribe  and follow their blog. I believe it is also part of Harvard Press which publishes Harvard Business review…excellent reading!

Enjoy: Pato

The New Golden Age

by Mark Stahlman

The history of investment and technology suggests that the global economy is poised to enter a new phase of robust, dependable growth. Such phases occur roughly every 60 years, and they last for a decade or more, part of a long cycle of technological change and financial activity. The current cycle, which began around 1970, is based on silicon: the integrated circuit, the digital computer, global telecommunications, and the Internet. It may feel like this technology has run its course, but the cycle is really only at its midpoint, and a new silicon-based global elite will lead the way to economic recovery.

To read the full analysis:
http://www.strategy-business.com/article/10110

enews is an exclusive platform for business analysis, insights, commentary, and other intellectual capital from the authors, strategists, and editors at strategy+business.

Art Kleiner
Editor-in-Chief
strategy+business

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It looks like somebody is paying attention to übervending movement…and stocked full of must-have beauty sundries… it couldn’t be more fantastic. Following the uptrend of vending machine shopping, The Studio at Fred Segal is introducing Utique,

a slick new shopping portal that will allow you to shop in a whole new way.

Übervending is nothing new, at least not for the rest of the shopping obsessed world. In hip urban centers all over Asia, Europe and South America, vending machines offer consumer-centric vehicles for the purchase of everything your heart desires, form practical needs, umbrellas…snacks… to well, pretty much anything.. from flowers to Ipods to whiskey to Levis to uh…. defibrillators?

The US is slowly following suit, but this consumer trend is one to watch. Brands take notice. Not only are you empowering the user, but also creating brand awareness for passers by. There is a reason we throw a cute, completely unnecessary lip-gloss, mini-drive, superglue in our basket while waiting in line… its called point of purchase and it is powerful. Take that and line the street with it and the possibilities are limitless.

This isn’t your old, coin welding, often broken, chips stuck half way machine… these portals are hi-tech, gorgeous and informative. Instead of a pestering sales rep, you push a button and learn about your product before purchase (again, ad possibilities galore)

even get samples. Traditional retail needs a good shaking up, and this is it…. Understanding the end user and customizing the experience is key. Good things are coming out of this trend. LIke gelcomm’s “just milk it” project,

food and beverage companies are using this new strategy to give school kids healthy alternatives to junk food filled machines.  YoNaturals Inc…., creator of the Healthy Vending Program, is rapidly expanding their nationwide distribution of healthy vending machines in schools, offering custom-designed food menus depending upon location, whether kids are more into organic milk, pita chips or protein bars.

Regardless of whether you are offering super trendy fashion pieces, entertainment…look-out Blockbuster

or “make your own” fresh pizzas or cars, yes cars,

übervending is one to watch.

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An extensive survey findings came out last month on iphone. The new study was performed by M:Metrics and here are the topline findings

Out of the 10,000 adults, observed for six months, 85 % of the iphone users used their phone to browse the internet as opposed to the 58% of all the smart phone users.

Secondly, 59% of the iphone users have used a search engine compared with 37% of smart phone users.

What does this mean? If you build a true web browser, people are more likely to use somethign they are already used to. Also, this really demostrates the power the iphone as a platform.  

Here is the link to the article to find out more:

http://blog.wired.com/business/2008/03/survey-confirms.html

Now only if the Safari browser on the iphone would support Flash

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