After their initial partnership in 2017, Google and Levi's are teaming up once again to introduce two new smart jackets for fall 2019.
Jacquard-Enabled Denim Jacket
The new versions of Levi's Trucker Jackets are equipped with Google's Jacquard, a technology first introduced in 2015 that turns ordinary objects, such as clothing, interactive. The technology allows wearers to play music, answer calls, communicate with Google Assistant, and take photos from their smartphones by simply touching the smart jacket's left cuff.
A small dongle attached to the left cuff will trigger vibrations whenever there is a new notification.
The smart jacket connects with an app where users can assign which smartphone functionalities will respond when the user double taps, swipes up, swipes down, or covers the cuff. The smart jacket currently offers up to 19 abilities.
The new generation of Levi's Jacquard Trucker Jackets also introduces "Always Together," a feature that alerts users when they get separated from their smartphones.
"With Jacquard technology, Levi's Trucker Jacket lets you access digital services right from your cuff, wherever you go," said Google. "Get updates about your day, take a remote selfie, get notified if you leave your phone or jacket behind, and more, so you can stay focused on what's important."
The new smart jackets come in either the Classic Trucker style or the fleece-lined Sherpa Trucker. The Classic Trucker is priced at $198 while the Sherpa Trucker for $248. Both variants are also available in several washes.
For comparison, the Levi's Commuter Trucker Jacket with Jacquard had $350 price tag when it was launched two years ago.
The new Jacquard-enabled Levi's Trucker Jackets will go on sale on Oct. 3 in select stores in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Smart Wardrobe
Google imagines a future where technology is ubiquitous. The company wants to partner with other brands to produce clothing, bags, shoes, and other everyday items made smarter with Jacquard.
Earlier this year, Jacquard appeared on Saint Laurent's Cit-e luxury backpacks. The $850 bags feature touch-sensitive shoulder straps that can control a connected smartphone.
Ivan Poupyrev, head of Jacquard at Google, said that the technology will be able to help those who might want to cut the time they spend staring at their smartphone screens but without having to disconnect completely.
"Right now there's a bit of a backlash against screens and people being so focused on the phone," he stated, as reported by Mashable. "The vision behind this is ambient computing and the idea of ambient computing is very opposite to the idea of the phone. The idea is that your functionality has multiple touch points, and you can access the same features, but from many different things."
