Google will make Levi's the coolest clothing line in the market with the latest technology installed in its iconic denim jacket.
What could be better than the current Levi's style? Well, how about a digital denim sleeve? Google finally drops the world's first smart jacket this fall and it is indeed packed with surprises.
Google, Levi's partnership: 'Project Jacquard'
Per The Christian Science Monitor, the collaboration between Google and Levi's is called 'Project Jacquard'. Its first product, the smart jacket, was first announced in May 2016. It aims to help commuters and motorists alike avoid accidents while on the road and using their smartphones.
The South by Southwest (SXSW) panel in Texas allowed Levi's and Google to further explain the concept of the jacket last weekend. Moreover, it gave the public a chance to test the sophisticated clothing breakthrough for themselves. Unlike the Google Glass and the Apple Watch, the next wearable technology dies not have a display screen.
Apparently, users control their smartphones through the 'Jacquard' jacket by swiping an almost invisible fabric touch interface. It is woven into the left sleeve with the use of a special yarn, believed to be a combination of conductive metal alloy and traditional textile. For one thing, owners can touch the sleeve to choose music on their playlist or even to answer phone calls.
Levi's digital jacket washable, thanks to Google
Engadget reported that Google installed a Bluetooth device that attaches to the cloth of Levi's jacket via 15 threads. They are only visible enough to indicate where to touch the wearable device. People can brush their fingers on the sleeve to either check the time or play and skip music. It retails for $350.
Meanwhile, its battery life lasts for about two days. With all these features at hand, though, there seemed to be one problem for Google: How to wash the digital Levi's jacket? Nonetheless, the tech mogul eventually found the answer to that.
Google reportedly made use of an "extended" USB drive. To enable the Levi's jacket's capabilities, users need to plug the USB into a tiny port under the left wrist. If they want to throw it in for laundry, they just need to remove the USB and the wearable gadget becomes an ordinary jacket.
