How to be happy? — Read about Google’s projects
We live in a world where we want things to be easy, and things that make life easier are usually pretty darn cool. Whether you’re on a rainy bike ride to work or juggling your coffee and work materials in the morning, convenience is everything these days .
Last year, Levi’s was working on a smart jacket in connection with the Google Advanced Technology and Products group’s Project Jacquard. Now, after much anticipation, the jacket is ready and is available on Levi.com (and in some Levi’s stores). The price is $350.
Google’s mission with its Advanced Technology and Products group is to create innovations like Project Jacquard, which can turn objects into interactive, gesture-controlled surfaces. With the jacket the technology comes to life through a conductive fabric and a Bluetooth device that attaches to the garment. The connected area consists of 15 threads on the left sleeve, just visible enough for you to know where to touch to trigger actions from a paired smartphone.
The jacket sinks with your phone via the Jacquard snap tag, which clips onto your cuff, and an app, through which you can program a series of customization movements and touches. With these gestures you can you can look up directions, play music, and handle your phone calls and text messages, all without looking at your phone. for the better by enabling easier and faster navigation with just a simple gesture across your jacket cuff.
The question is whether this jacket is really worth the cost — after all, that’s a lot for denim. The key for the Levi’s Commuter jacket lies in a snap tag on the left sleeve cuff that allows you to interact with your phone right on the jacket using gestures, LEDs and haptic feedback. It can still be washed (without the snap tag) and it provides ample warmth during those brisk winter days. Keep in mind, though, it is not waterproof.
It was known, that Chip Bergh started working with Google on version 2.0 of the Project Jacquard platform. At Wall Street Journal’s D. Live conference, Bergh said that he’d like new clothing to have even more functionality. If it’s a feature that doesn’t require a screen, he said, then there’s a possibility it could be incorporated into the next Levi’s and Google collaboration.
Bergh showed off a few capabilities of the current Google-powered jacket on stage. He swiped his sleeve to tell the time, and another swipe gave him navigation directions. The jacket uses a conductive fiber that was developed as part of Google Advanced Technology and Product group’s Project Jacquard. It’s meant primarily as a jacket for cyclists, so they don’t need to look at a screen when riding.
“We’ve come up with a solution so people aren’t constantly taking phones out of their pocket”
Thank you so much for taking some time to read this story!
Daria Chuiko — writer, journalist,ideas generator of a Digital Nomad Magazine.
Digital Nomad Magazine is a Coliving Club project with an aim to bring fresh and interesting stories to the #travelers #doers #hustlers #founders #destinycrafters
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