It’s been nearly two years since Google revealed it was working on technology to create smart clothing and other textiles by weaving electronics into fabric. Now Google and Levi’s have announced that the first commercial product based on Project Jacquard is coming this fall.
That’s when you’ll be able to buy the smart jacket the two companies unveiled last year. At the time the goal was to bring the jacket to market in the spring of 2017, but it looks like the companies have pushed back the date a bit.
We also now know the price: the Levi’s Commuter Trucker Jacket will sell for $350.
Good denim can be pricey, but in this case you’re paying for more than just the fabric and design.
The jacket includes a touch-sensitive area thanks to “interactive denim” that allows you to swipe your fingers across the sleeve to send commands to your smartphone, allowing you to get directions, answer calls, or control music playback without pulling your phone out of your pocket.
Levi’s and Google are showing off a pre-release version of the Commuter Trucker Jacket at SXSW in Austin this week.
via Engadget and 9to5Google
And they couldn’t be arsed manufacturing it over here because?
In ear headphones, clip pedals, no helmet and a toy attached to the arm. I guess when the homeless man finds the body he can sell the jacket for good money.
Totally. Before I used to bike everywhere and I hated when cyclists had headphones or ear-buds in both ears (in one ear is okay-ish since they still have some awareness of their surroundings). It is dangerous and bothersome both for drivers and other cyclists.
give me a pair of smart jeans and im 100% on board. demin jacket is out of the question
for Levi’s this isn’t actually that bad of a price. I would buy one, but prospect of actually wearing a demin jacket is kinda appalling. especially considering i wear demin jeans pretty much all the time thats a bit too much demin. start looking like a wierdo
I’m 50/50 on this. Part of me thinks the price is too high and the timing might be too late given the big climb in voice control capabilities.
On the other hand a lot of people are happy to pay as much for a pair of faded designer jeans or t-shirts. Also a lot of people feel self conscious using voice control in public. And I’m sure that enough sales could drive the price down considerably.
I wonder if rain effects it.
The price is high because it includes the usual “early adopter tax.” If the technology is a success, the price will come down soon enough.
Speech is improving fast, but there’s always room for other types of input technology. Voice commands won’t always be the most convenient way to control your technology — e.g. in a noisy room, at night when you don’t want to disturb people, and so on.
Exactly. On the subway is a bad place for voice commands, and on a bike the wind will most likely drown out your voice while in movement with most microphones/microphone placements.
Also rejecting a call because it’s a bad time to take it most likely means it’s a bad time to be speaking out loud.