Google's smart jacket proves it's the only tech company that truly understands wearables
Hollis Johnson/Business Insider
When you first slip on the smart jacket that Levi's and Google teamed up to make, you might forget for a second that it's anything other than a run-of-the-mill denim jacket.
And that's what makes it so great.
The jacket - technically called the Levi's Commuter Trucker Jacket with Jacquard by Google - debuted in September. It looks like a standard denim jacket, but one cuff has conductive threads woven in and a place to snap on a Bluetooth tag that pairs with your phone. The jacket costs $350 and is available on the Levi's website.
The Jacquard jacket is for a very specific type of person - namely, someone who commutes by bicycle. The idea is that if you're riding your bike and wearing headphones, you can leave your phone in your pocket and use the jacket to control the more crucial things like directions and music. It's intended to eliminate distractions and keep you safe without sacrificing your constant need to be connected.
I've been wearing the jacket on and off over the last few months. I don't commute by bike, so I'm not exactly the intended customer. But I do write about different types of wearables, and I love fashion. If anyone should be excited about this product, it's me.
The Next Smartphone by the BI Intelligence Research Team.
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