Kenpo's iPod controlling jacket
By Paul Miller 
posted October 25th 2005 1:30AM
posted October 25th 2005 1:30AM
Another day, another thingamajig that "seamlessly" integrates with your precious
iPod. Today we have a new
iPod jacket, the Kenpo, starting at $275 and
sporting some sketch button positioning that appears to grace the hard to see side of your arm. They're claiming the
buttons should feel just like the rest of your coat, and we hope they don't mean that too literally: it's going to be
pretty tough to tell when you've pressed a button otherwise. The coat is machine washable, and the only wire you should
have to worry about is a port for your iPod, but things might get a bit complicated once you rig up a mirror system for
reading those evasive, yet non-tactile, buttons.
[Via Popgadget]
ipod = fashion statement
This is a fact.
this jacket = gay.
This is also a fact.
Being attached a red tether that goes god knows where isn't my idea of fun...
by induction:
iPod = gay
I wonder what amazing space-age nano-fabric they found to line the pocket so you don't sand the face off your Nano while -- nevermind the seizures -- just walking.
re: #1 Kamil Mytnik ... Fashion statement?
my iPod = hidden in my pocket.
my earphones = definitely not Trend-Whore White.
Fashion statement would be for the non-audiophiles who care more about image and stay with utterly disposable basic Apple earbuds.
"But, but ... that silhouetted epileptic with dreads ... the commercial promised I'd be cool as long as people could see that white earphone cable!"
Its a shame that the Apple in-ear canalphones (which are great if your ears happen to be compatible) are white. I was about to black out a pair with markers then I realized -- HTF cares? Is my street-cred really that fragile?
And how can it be a status symbol? The Shuffle and Nano are pretty inexpensive. Someone else make me a Shuffle or Nano-sized device for as cheap and with as good an amp as the Shuffle and I'll buy it.
Also, I thought the retro ugly-70s jacket fad came and went?
I'd buy one if they had it in green.
Even more entertaining is Kenpo's overwrought website:
http://www.kenpofashion.com/
Kenpo: For your inner bar-star. Coming soon to a Wal-Mart near you!
"I'd buy one if they had it in green."
Ah yes, the anti-iPod backlash.. you're all about the music aren't you.
"Another day, another thingamajig that seamlessly integrates with your precious iPod. "
It's cool Engadget, no one's forcing you to tear down that sweet Michael Dell poster.
I simply don't see how you can not LOVE this product. Now anyone can be a "Rockstar Millionaire" with this easy to use status symbol kit! Just add iPod! But be careful kids, snowboarding can be dangerous sport. Make sure you turn up the volume extra loud so you won't hear yourself screem in agony when you crash into that tree.
And for all of you teenage phone junkies, don't forget your SMS capable buddy, with our Bluetooth enabled Burton jacket!
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000633025895/
Singed your one and only "Rockstar Millionaire" and CEO of Virgin,
Richard Branson
A bit too cool for my taste... :)
i wonder when the diffrent companys will sit down and create a universial connector for remotes so that your not limited to one kind of player for use with solutions like these...
use of the word 'gay' in a non-homosexual way = 10 years olds off school for half term
I gotta tell you, that I went to Macy's and they alreay have a pre-order list. I'll let you know how it works. The idea of not having to take off my gloves and unzip my jacket in the freezing cold is enough for me.
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Mine's just come in, it works like a treat. I thought the buttons would be hard to press, but it felt quite natural. The only quirk is that the buttons lock after 7 seconds, requiring you hold the 'next' button for 3 seconds to unlock - there's no feedback whether the controls are locked or unlocked. A simple beep through the headphones would've been feedback enough.