Some addition on wearable computing.
Paul
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Levi's and Philips create wired up clothing
By: Lucy Sherriff
Posted: 14/08/2000 at 16:35 GMT
Wearable technology is getting all "mainstream" with the announcement of a partnership called Levi's ICD+ between Levi's, of 501
jeans fame, and electronics giant Philips. Philips has been working on a wearable technology product line for a number of years but
this project with Levi's is the first realisation of its plans. Peter Ingwersen of Levi's told The Guardian: "Our first miners pants were launched
in 1873 - we needed to examine what people wear today. We identified a group called nomads who are constantly on the move...and need
to be wired, so we began looking for partners."
This is going to be more than a superficial glance at "Utility Chic" we are assured. This is about more than a mobile phone holder on a bag strap.
The collaborations' mission statement is "Philips technology in every shirt and skirt" and will be widely available. The jackets set for autumn
release
will feature phones with voice recognition dialling, microphone in the collar and earpieces in the hood. The MP3 player will automatically cut out
when
the phone rings, and the whole lot is machine washable. Just hope that you don't need your phone on a sunny day!
Designer Massimo Osti, voted most influential designer last year by men's magazine Arena Homme Plus, says that his biggest challenge has been
to humanise the technology. He says that our way of thinking of miniaturisation must also change. "It must be so flat and flexible that it becomes a
second
skin," he said. "We aim to massage the technology into the garment."
Well, we'll all be Matrix-'d up before you know it. The collection is launching this autumn, and information about prices is conspicuous by its
absence.
When we get Levi's to give us some links to images of the clothing we'll pass them on. ®
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href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/archive/11556.html">
Oh to be a Modern Urbanist - this is the kind of person who'll probably wearing the Levi's/Philips clobber.
Received on Fri Aug 25 13:41:50 2000