Now, Levi's jackets can answer calls, take selfies for you
What's the story
Popular clothing brand Levi's has announced a new line of smart 'Trucker' jackets. The garment looks just like any other Trucker denim but houses a Google-built technology that lets you control key features/apps on your phone by swiping or tapping on the cuff of the jacket's sleeve. It starts at $198 and even enables the wearer to answer calls, take photographs! Here's all about the underlying tech.
Jackets
Smart Trucker jackets: A leaner upgrade from the original
Levi's and Google first introduced a tech-infused jacket in the form of 'Commuter Trucker' two years ago. The product made a good impression and is now available in two upgraded avatars: Classic trucker and Sherpa trucker. These 'smart' jackets not only boast advanced connected capabilities but also incorporate a much smaller tag, making it nearly impossible to tell that the garment is actually smart.
Working
But, how these smart jackets work?
Just like the original Trucker, the new jackets utilize Google's Jacquard technology, a Bluetooth-enabled module that goes into the left cuff of the jacket's sleeve and turns it into a touch-sensitive remote control for phones. You can program up to four swipe/tap-based gestures (swipe-up, swipe-down, double-tap, cover) into the Jacquard app and use them on the cuff to trigger different apps/actions on your phone.
Capabilities
What you could do with the jackets
As for the actions, the jackets can be programmed to do a lot of stuff. You can, for instance, use a gesture to snap a selfie with friends, play/pause music on the phone, or answer an incoming call. It can be configured to silence your phone, drop a pin on the map, trigger Google Assistant, or give a whole day overview from the calendar.
Information
There is also an 'always together' feature
Among other things, the jacket also packs an 'always together' feature that sends out an alert if you leave your phone somewhere while wearing the jacket. All jacket notifications come in the form of minor vibrations, light blinks on the Bluetooth tag.
Pricing
How much this thing costs?
The new Classic smart Trucker jacket has been priced at $198, while the Sherpa variant, which comes with additional insulation for colder days, has been priced at $248. They are pretty expensive but way cheaper than the original connected jacket that Levi's sold for about $350. To note, the company also says you can wash it like any other denim.