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You can now listen to headphones through your hoodie
So you just bought a flashy pair of headphones, and you're worried that your hoodie might prevent you from flaunting your new gear. Are you stuck? Not if you pick up Betabrand's upcoming Audio Engineer jacket. Its hood is made of the same "acoustically transparent" fabric you'd find in a nice set of speakers, letting any sound pass through while keeping your noggin relatively dry and warm. There are also holes for your headphone cables or portable audio gear, and you'll even find a diagram to help you make any wiring permanent.
Scottevest's 22-pocket Tropiformer gadget jacket on sale now for $150
It's been a hot minute since we've seen a new wearable from the labs of Scottevest, but for those looking to cram all sorts of gadgetry into their coat as a strange sort of airplane carry-on item, we're here to clue you in on a new option. Tag-teaming with ThinkGeek, Scottevest has announced the Tropiformer -- a relatively normal looking coat that somehow includes no fewer than 22 integrated pockets. Specifically, there's a dedicated tablet pocket (seriously), a Personal Area Network for internal cable management (seriously), a locking pocket (seriously) and a Quick Draw Pocket that supports capacitive devices (seriously). Moreover, the sleeves are removable in the event that you'd like to completely humiliate yourself, and we're told that the jacket "can easily be packed into itself" -- whatever that means. It's shipping right now for $150, and those needing a bit more convincing can get precisely that just after the break.
Columbia recalls Omni-Heat electric jackets due to burn hazard (or, for working too well)
Sure, we may have internet in the skies and refrigerators with Evernote integration, but here's one thing that science can't do: deliver a trouble-free heated jacket. A few years after Ardica hung up the dream due to a battery recall, Columbia is doing likewise. The sportswear company has issued a recall for seven Omni-Heat electric jacket models, citing a manufacturing defect in the heated inner wrist cuff. There have been two non-injury incidents reported (Canada, UK), but no injuries. According to the company's own statement on the matter, a "small number of the 2012 Columbia heated jackets may contain a heated inner wrist cuff component with a manufacturing flaw that may cause an electrical short to occur, giving rise to a potential burn risk." This is all in addition to a separate recall in early January specific to a small number of batteries, (part number 054978-001) that -- according to Columbia -- "may have been included with a small number of electric jackets may overheat and result in a fire hazard." If you'll recall, the Circuit Breaker was actually one of our favorite gadgets of 2011, but curiously, we never could pinpoint when and where these were set to go on sale. We were independently contacted by a company that claimed Columbia was using its technology in breach of contract, but never could verify if that was the reason sales seemed to be on hiatus. [Update: Columbia affirmed to us that said claims are "unfounded" and "had no impact the delivery of its Fall 2011 Omni-Heat Electric products."] Evidently, a few hundred of these finally made their way into the warm embrace of consumers, but considering that "Refund" looks to be the only remedy here, we sort of doubt a second generation will emerge. It's important to note, however, that Columbia's non-electric Omni-Heat offerings aren't included in the recall -- and, for the record, that stuff does a stellar job of keeping one warm without any whiz-bang circuitry. Hit up the links below if you're thinking of sending yours back.
Columbia's line of electric Omni-Heat jackets, gloves and boots on sale, just in time for Old Man Winter
It took 'em a bit longer than expected, but Columbia's still pushing out its complete line of Omni-Heat electric (and in turn, heated) jackets before the holidays. In fact, a few more of these guys have cropped up since we reviewed the (admittedly excellent) Circuit Breaker back in March, including the Electro Amp, Wader Widgeon and Big Game Interchange. As you could probably glean from the titles, the latter two are camouflaged, making them both a) invisible to the human eye and b) totally fit for hunters. Those four are available for gentlemen with between $750 and $1,200 to spare, while the ladies can opt for the electric Hottie ($750) or Circuit Breaker softshell ($850). A full line of Omni-Heat gloves and boots are also shipping now, with the source links below pointing you directly to the shopping houses you're after. Have a look at what you're missing just after the break.
Columbia Omni-Heat Circuit Breaker Softshell electric / heated jacket review
Back when old man winter was first starting to bear down here in the States for the 2010 - 2011 Winter Season, we dropped by to check out a few toasty newcomers from the folks at Columbia. Pleased as we were after trying a few things out at the demo booth, we reckoned the outfit's line of Omni-Heat electric gear would be best evaluated in the wild. You know -- places like Whitefish, Montana and the northern interior of Alaska, all during the winter. We were fortunate enough to snag one of Columbia's Omni-Heat Circuit Breaker Softshell electric / heated ski jackets prior to departing for our bone-chilling escapades, and after a couple of months of use, we're happy to report that this thing really is all it's cracked up to be. Those situated in places like Yellowknife and International Falls have been dreaming of a non-bulky, quasi-stylish heated coat for years now, and those dreams may very well be converted into reality when this particular one starts shipping this fall. Read on to see if an outdoors outfitter really nailed the technological integration, and how your life in the winter months may be forever changed because of it.
Wallpaper* limited edition bikes fold into a briefcase, look great doing it
The intersection of bicycling and gadgetry is often littered with odd-looking contraptions that only the bravest geek would be caught dead on. That's why we were pleased as punch to see the International, designed by Kinfolk and Coat, making the rounds. The one speed racing bike looks great, and it can be quickly broken down and thrown into a (albeit large) briefcase for that part of your journey that involves public transpo. While we're at it, the City (after the break) also fits into its own carrying bag, although it does have the more traditional "folding bike" thing goin' on. Both are available from Wallpaper*, for £2,450 ($3,815) and £1,255 ($1,955) respectively.
Scottevest's Carry-On Coat houses all of your portable electronics, stolen hotel shampoo bottles
Truth be told, it's been awhile since we've seen a gadget-laced jacket that really caught our eye. There's the occasional winter coat with a built-in iPod slot, and there's a few unaffordable threads that don't much matter to the vast majority of you, but it's difficult to think of a single overcoat that's as connected as this. Teased by Scottevest, the forthcoming Carry-On-Jacket is as functional as it is delightful, with an internal pocket made specifically for touchscreen devices so you'll never even have to reach inside to skip tracks. There's also an internal Personal Area Network (PAN), a dedicated BlackBerry (or any smartphone, really) holder, passport pouch, a digital camera compartment, iPad pocket (er, "PadPocket") and a separate area made specifically for those zip-locked liquids that you'll need easy access to at the TSA screening zone. Needless to say, the avid traveler with a pinch of geek lust should be grinning from ear-to-ear just gazing at this masterpiece, and honestly, we could see this converting even the hardest of hardcore Rollaboard warriors. Now all we need is a price and release date, STAT.
Kolon's heated Sport Life Saver III makes a trip to Yellowknife totally doable
Kolon's Sport Life Saver III doesn't include any fancy extras like built-in Bluetooth, speakers or a pocket specially designed to keep old tater tots warm, but it does include an integrated heating module to keep your blood from chilling. Redesigned from the ground-up, this here coat sports a supple Gore-Tex Proshell 3L shell, a "survival kit," compass and a translucent hood. The standout feature, obviously, is the HEATEX function which provides heat of around 95 or so degrees Fahrenheit, though we're not told exactly how it's powered. Sadly, we're also left clueless when it comes to pricing and availability, but those who've been avoiding the slopes for fear of frigidness will probably pay just about anything.[Via BeSportier]
NES Controller Varsity Jacket would be more awesome with awesome models
At first glance, we actually gagged upon seeing the jacket pictured above. Immediately after regaining our composure, we wondered how on Earth such a magnificent piece of retro kit could have such a negative impact on our lives -- then, it hit us. It's the dude. Seriously. Strap this $200, limited run jacket on anyone even remotely beautiful and we'd bet you too would see things differently. Or maybe it is just obscenely tacky, but it'd be much less so on anyone other than this fellow.[Via OhGizmo]
Zegna Sport integrating ElekTex controls in Bluetooth iJACKET
If you're fairly confident that you've seen an iJacket from Zegna before, you'd be right, but the case-sensitive iJACKET is upping the ante by including Bluetooth along with Eleksen's ElekTex smart fabric controls. Dubbed "communication clothing," the coat will reportedly enable users to "use their cellphone and simultaneously listen to music on their iPod," which is sure to result in quite a few incomprehensible conversations. Nevertheless, wearers will be able to mange both their handset and DAP through a "sleek control embedded in the jacket sleeve," and you can even expect the music volume to decrease when you receive an incoming call. Of course, all these luxuries won't come cheap (especially on a Zegna), but even we think "starting at $1,700" is a bit extreme.
Entrak's ventilationVest cools you down, ensures public humiliation
Air conditioned clothing is far from new, but thanks to Entrak, now the civilians in the crowd can don their own AC-equipped vest -- if you don't mind getting stared at while out in public, that is. The aptly-named ventilationVest is dubbed a "personal climate system" wrapped inside of an otherwise vanilla polyester vest, and reportedly utilizes "two battery-powered ventilation units concealed in its side pockets to circulate air" through a permeable liner. Additionally, the vest weighs just under three-pounds with all the gadgetry strapped in, and can purportedly keep a fresh breeze flowin' for a whopping eight hours sans a recharge. Unfortunately, there's no word on how much this fan-filled article will run you, and yes, it looks like that clashtastic blue will be your only color choice when ordering.[Via MedLaunches]
Ermenegildo Zegna's iSolarX jacket juices up gadgetry
While Ermenegildo Zegna made the plunge into high-end, electronic savvy outerwear last Fall, its newest piece ups the ante by allowing gadgetry that you keep on your person to be charged up whilst out and about -- sans batteries. The Solar JKT is based around Interactive Wear AG's iSolarX technology, and sports a number of solar modules around the neoprene collar that can pass energy through conducting textile leads for storage in a buffer battery or to charge a connected device directly. The jacket can even be switched from 5V to 6V in order to handle a more diverse group of gizmos, and integrated LEDs enable you to quickly view the state of the charge. Sadly, there's no mention of an expected pricetag for this uber-useful garb, but it will likely cater specifically to the affluent set when it hits the market as part of the 2008 Spring / Summer collection.
Lodenfrey's io-Jacket utilizes GPSoverIP tracking technology
Utilizing hybrid GPS tracking technology to locate things whilst inside a building has wandered over into the commercial realm a few times before, but Germany's Lodenfrey is hoping you'll keep said technology overtly near and dear to your heart. The io-Jacket, which had one unit built to raise money for the "Humans for Humans" foundation, doesn't differ too much from other gizmo-laced jackets that have come before at first glance, but if you look beyond the built-in Bluetooth, integrated MP3 player, touch-sensitive control pads, and dashing good looks, you'll notice the compatibility with GPSoverIP. This functionality enables the wearer to upload "real-time tracking data" via their cellphone to a website, where a paranoid parent or mission commander could keep watch on the situation regardless of buildings. No word on future pricing or availability options just yet, but the one unit that was auctioned off for charity fetched €2,960 ($4,019) -- which is reportedly about €740 ($1,005) less than the cost of construction.[Via The Raw Feed]
Nokia patents diamond-hard coating for devices
That shiny new N800 isn't going to look so shiny or new after a couple drops on pavement. And don't act like you're more careful than that, either -- it happens to the best of us. Heck, frequent pocketing of a phone (or Internet Tablet, as the case may be) is usually enough to get it scuffed solidly into "well used" status. The boys and girls in Espoo always have their thinking caps on, though, and it looks like they've brewed up a solution for the pollution. To use their words, they've put together a "cover, a mobile communications apparatus and a method for producing a coated cover for an electronic apparatus" using an amorphous diamond coating. Basically, you feed some current through coal, wave your hands, and a magical 100 nanometer coating of diamond-like stuff attaches itself to plastic parts in the vicinity. And you know how hard diamond is. Best of all, the coating is apparently biodegradable, breaking down over time, at which point it'll probably turn back into coal and live to coat another device again. There's something almost Soylent Green about it, is there not?[Via Slashdot and New Scientist Tech]
An iPod jacket for the white collar set
So you want to wear a jacket with integrated iPod controls to work, but you aren't exactly Tony Hawk. Enter the Koyono BlackCoat Work. It's something you could easily wear to the office, and features a hidden, five-button control pad that allows for full access to the iPod's functions. Koyono describes it as a "denim jacket/sport coat hybrid," and is one for four new iPod coats the company plans to release during the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2006. The BlackCoat Work will cost $179US, and you can sign up to be notified of the official release date. If they could only find a way to hide my headphones so I could wear this during staff meetings, I'd be all over it.[Via Engadget]
