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Comment by SideburnsOfDoom | Hacker News Reader

Yes, but those magazines could be delivering iPhone adverts. Or tempting iPhone owners with galaxy S5 adverts.

The could have articles (you know, incitements to spend money disguised as articles) on "how an iPhone gal could date an Android-using guy". You can't stop vapid, consumerist magazines from being vapid and consumerist, but they seem to be missing a trick with their target audience.

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To argue the devil's advocate position: Fashion and Beauty, on the other hand, are seen as celebrations of femininity that put women on a pedastal, the center of attention, and on a higher tier of social power and rank. Gadgets - either kitchen or electronic - however desirable are seemingly out of place in this context, as they are ultimately ultilitarian.

Fashion and beauty are vehicles for self-expression very much like technology is (iOS or Android; power user or not, etc). We identify with the technology we choose every bit as much as we identify with the style we wear and the manner in which we groom ourselves. This is not limited to women (graphic tees, anyone?).

The iPhone is now available in several colors and finishes, there are tech-mirroring trends in beauty (matte finish nail polish, metallic finish makeup, etc), and wearable tech is becoming a thing. I'd say the line between tech and fashion/beauty is pretty well blurred. And technology hasn't been "ultimately utilitarian" in a long while.

Agreed. There is precious little "ultimately utilitarian" about sharing instagram photos with your friends on Facebook.

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