Photos: Fashion, sports greet ‘wearable technologies’
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Fashion, sports and technology converged at the “Wearable Technologies” display at the ISPO Summer show in Munich, Germany. The event which ran from July 16-18 is said to be the world’s biggest trade show for sporting goods and showcases the latest trends and fashions for sports enthusiasts.rnrn
Koyono shows off the BlackCoat Work which is a jean jacket and sport coat with a smart fabric interface made by Eleksen. The coat has a five-button control to let you operate an iPod without taking it out of your pocket. It’s expected to retail for about $275.
Scottvest features jackets and shorts “designed for the iPod generation.” Version 4.0 jackets may include up to 52 hidden pockets, a wired personal area network, removable sleeves, an extendable keyholder and magnetic windflaps. The personal area network allows you to thread wires through the lining of the jacket. The Tactical 4.0 jacket system costs $339.98 at Scottevest.
What goes with a jacket with 52 pockets? Pants with more hidden pockets, of course. These Scottevest jeans (left) have 11 pockets. rnrn
The ultimate jacket addon is a solar panel (right) which fits onto the back of most Tactical 4 jackets. It will charge a battery that can run most of your portable electronic devices. When the battery’s fully charged, just take the solar panel off. The solar panel costs $150.
O’Neill has designed the h3 video backpack which contains a camera to let you make action videos. Function buttons are in the shoulder harness.
Adidas and Polar Echo combine a heart monitor with speed and distance monitoring equipment in training attire. A heart monitor attaches to a shirt, sports bra or woman’s top made with special fibers to enable it to record an athlete’s heart rate. The information is sent to a wrist-mounted running computer for reading on the go. The wrist computer also can gather information on running distance and speed from a Polar Stride Sensor placed in a running shoe. After the workout the data can then be downloaded from the wrist computer for analysis.
ShadowTS promotes Cool Interaktive Wear–fashions for the biker. This jacket contains a built-in docking station to connect an MP3 player with controls on the sleeves. The jacket is available in black leather which reflects sunlight–keeping it cool.
Never get lost while wearing Interactive Wear AG’s “Know Where Jacket.” It’s integrated with GPS, GSM, Bluetooth and MP3 capabilities and has a GPS antenna meshed into the epaulette on the jacket’s shoulder. A network of power-supply lines are integrated into the fabric for MP3 players, video cameras, speakers and more. Control buttons are on the sleeve.
eBlocker makes a special fabric for heavy cell phone users who fear mobile phone radiation. The company says its fabric cuts out 99.99 percent of direct radiation.
The ESA is using technology designed for space travel in racing suits for the Formula One McLaren team. The suit features a cooling system which has also been used in clothing for firemen and steel workers.
The Sennheiser PMX 70 Sport audio phones contains and ergonomic neckband and vertical transducer system for maximum fit and comfort while participating in sports. Plus, it’s sweat and water resistant–and it’s washable.
Red Maloo produces laptop sleeves for Apple notebooks. They come in orange and gray, at left is a 13-inch MacBook and right is a 17-inch Powerbook.
Aquapac makes waterproof enclosures designed for mobile gear. The Pro Sports Mini, at $35, can hold a cell phone and comes with an armband to keep it in place. The Large Phone/GPS case protects gear and also allows sound and signal to pass through so you can use the phone with the case still on. Plus, it floats. It costs $25.
Altec Lansing has a portable audio system, inMotion im7 for dockable iPods. It can also be used with video iPods as well. It retails for $249.95. The im9 speaker system comes with a backpack for $199.95.
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