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Japanese DS title teaches you how to dress
Do you wake up in the morning and say to yourself, "Boy, I have all these fabulous clothes, but I don't know how to wear them in an ensemble?" Perhaps you'll need to import a Japanese DS title that teaches you how to dress properly. We're still not exactly sure what the name of game is, but we reckon our trusty comment crew translation squad can help.The game features 200 recorded lectures on dressing yourself and includes a 3D model to dress up and coordinate properly. We doubt this game will make it out of Japan, but it's good to know that if we ever get desperate enough there's a game out there to help us -- or we'll just take notes watching Carson Kressley on Queer Eye reruns.[Via GayGamer, Go Nintendo]
Smart closet tells clueless geeks what to wear
If you count yourself as one of a legion of the "clothes clueless," then this smart closet could be the end of your troubles. It sounds as if you'll need a wardrobe full of RFID tagged clothes for it to work -- although the specific technology isn't clear -- but once your clothes are wired sown up, your wardrobe will inform you when you "accidentally" choose the same clothes the second time you meet the same person, and will give you advice on the correct shoes to go with your outfit, among other hints. Of course, the inventors have overlooked an array of paradoxes here (if you're organized enough to set this up, you've gotta have some common sense) but we like the wackiness of the idea anyway. If the future's anything like this, we better be ready for a whole lot of patronizing machines.[Via The Raw Feed]
Breakfast Topic: The clothes you wish you could wear
It happens a lot: you see some random NPC in the world wearing a certain item or clothing and you wonder "hey! Can I can a polearm like that somewhere?" You might even do some searching and find it's not available for players, only NPCs. Most often it's a weapon of some kind, but sometimes it's a particular set of shoulders, or a matching set of armor the like of which doesn't actually exist. Sometimes it's a unique item with a really powerful pizzazz.I always liked the nifty scarf featured here on Baron Rivendare, as well as on the death knight pictured in yesterday's breakfast topic. It probably would be hard to make this sort of scarf work for tauren, but all the other races could wear it pretty well, it seems. It would definitely be a match for death knights who want to look the part, or anyone who wants that certain dastardly debonair look.What items have you seen NPCs wearing that you wish you could wear too?
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.
"Achievement Locked" undergarments available
Wow. Splitreason a clothing company that does gaming related apparel, just released "Achievement Locked" underwear for those of the female persuasion. They come in white, have a little "Achievement Locked" notification on the top left, and *ahem* look very nice. They come in at $12.95 and ship in two to five business days. We don't know about you, but this definitely gives new meaning to the term "Achievement Whore". Anyway, if you manage to unlock this one, you win. We got some model shots for you after the break, but obviously it may not be that safe for work.
Inflatable dress turns into a chair for impromptu sits
If there's one thing we know about the clothing of the future, it's that it'll be incredibly silly -- like this dress that self-inflates to form a chair when you need a quick break. Designer JooYoun Paek crafted this little slice of tomorrow from seven heavy-duty trash bags, two foot pumps, and a pair of slippers for the Unravel fashion show in San Diego this week -- and to "transform the humdrum experiences produced by routine walking commutes into an amusing interactive performance." Check the read link for a few vids of the dress in action.[Via PopGadget]
This is why we're dorks
Considering the amount of remixes Mims' hit rap single "This is Why I'm Hot" set off -- R. Kelly's "This is Why I'm Cold," the NBA's "The Phoenix Suns Are Hot," and Chubbs' "This is Why I'm Fat" for example -- we're surprised that it took this long for its catchy hook to reach video gaming's catch-phrase-hungry communities. Mirroring Mims' insipid lyrics, the simplicity of SnorgTees' shirt design leaves no room for confusion on its message or the company's plans to rake in crazy money by exploiting our nostalgia-addled minds. We can imagine the office congratulations and "props" received by the young designer who paired the 8-bit fire flower with the narcissistic mantra. They all agree, this is why he's hot. The $16.95 shirt comes in royal blue and black, its lowercase Myriad Pro text staying chalky white on both colors. If you haven't heard the song several hundred times already, you have the option of checking past the post break for an embedded music video of the club track.
The TUAW tees are here
Delivered this morning by stork: the first run of our TUAW t-shirts! We'll be giving away about a dozen of these next week during WWDC (not all of which we'll give away on Monday night, so look for the prize patrol). And yes, those not attending WWDC will have a shot at winning a t-shirt later this year. We're not sure when and we're not sure how, but it'll happen.To take a gander at the full shirt, check out the gallery.
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]
Wii shirts rounded up
Keeping track of all the Wii t-shirts being sold on the internet can be tough. Whenever we try to wade through our bookmarks to pick one out, it feels like we're drowning in a sea of outdated pages and bad puns.OMG Tees has listed over a dozen of the best Wii-related apparel, providing photos, descriptions, and information on where to buy them. We've featured the Beatles and custom Mii designs before, but some of collected shirts (like the Bruce Wii one shown above) have managed to escape our attention until now. Would you actually dole out cash for any of these shirts? Or are you more like us, always putting it off and telling yourself that you'll buy one as soon as you have a little more extra cash laying around?
Magnetic clothes hangers rearrange your closet
As with most things that have remained fairly constant over the years, it was just a matter of time before someone with a tick of free time and a bright idea gave a new face to the clothes hanger. Daniel To's simply-named magnetic clothes hangers maintain the same forked design to gingerly hold your favorite threads, but rather than sporting a rotating hook, a magnetic cube was attached in order to give design-conscience homeowners a new way to assemble their closets. Of course, you'll need a metallic rack / roof to take advantage of the attractive (ahem) design, but we sure hope these end up coming in a heavy duty flavor for the more weighted aspects of our wardrobe.[Via Freshome]
InsideOutside garb alerts you of uncomfortable areas
Sensor-laden clothing isn't exactly atypical this day in age, but the InsideOutside project takes wearable alerting to a new (albeit uncomfortable) platform. The garments are supposed to be rocked underneath of your corporately-approved suit and tie, and can purportedly assist you when coming in range of areas or situations that you don't spot right off, but you know would make you antsy if you did. Essentially, the garb "heats up or cools down uncomfortably" when the wearer gets near user-selected situations that they don't appreciate, meaning that you can program the clothing to tip you off when nearing CCTV farms, pop concerts, and rival fans of your alma mater. Sadly, we've no clue whether or not these sophisticated threads will ever make it to the retail scene, but if this thing (eventually) allows you to add spots to your discomfort list on-the-fly via your mobile, we're sensing a real winner. [Via MAKE]
ThinkGeek 8-bit tie prank could be a reality
Apparel website ThinkGeek posted a number of fake products yesterday during the internet-wide April Fools fool-a-thon. When we laid eyes on the jagged 8-bit tie, we fell in love. ThinkGeek apparently received a flood of e-mail begging them to make the tie a reality. Assuming it's not an extension of their prank, it looks like they're working on it. For REAL.Posted below the tie's price information is a small note from the ThinkGeek staff: "Hey! You! Quit emailing us to make this for REAL already. We promise, we'll make it.". The "add to cart" button is also missing, which is where fake products revealed themselves as hoaxes. Real or just more prankage? We're hoping it's the former. Please don't toy with our gentle hearts like this, ThinkGeek. We might actually look forward to meetings, weddings, and funerals if we can wear that tie.
Jacket cuff lights create illumination on demand
Flashlights have certainly found their way into unusual locales, but a recent invention places light in a place that could prove handy to nearly anyone out on the town. The aptly-named jacket cuff lights add bright beams of white light to both of your sleeves, and since they're wired up in a series, you aren't apt to activate your high beams without intending to do so. Relying on ten white LEDs, a pair of small PC mounting boards, four small pushbuttons, a couple of 10-ohm resistors, a bit of cabling, rechargeable battery pack, and the usual handyman skills with a soldering iron, this project doesn't look too intense for the amateur to handle. Still, the creator has certainly made things easy on those of you who'd rather pay someone else to get things going, as you can pick up the kit of necessary items for a smooth $20 if you so choose. Alright, you know the drill, hit the read link for a detailed video demonstration.[Via MAKE]
Zephyr's smart fabrics to gauge physiological data
Although soldiers of the future (the non-robotic variety, that is) could very well rock tactile displays on their gear, it looks like the next-generation clothing worn on the battlefield could also monitor physiological information. New Zealand firm Zephyr has developed smart textiles that are currently being shown at CeBIT, and aside from being used by the US Department of Defense to "gauge how individuals cope and react during combat situations," the garb could also be used by athletes looking to carefully measure their vitals and improve their performance. The outfit's first two offerings, a chest-worn bioharness and a shoe pod insert, are both laden with intelligent sensors that can "store and broadcast data," which could certainly become beneficial in the health, security, training, and medical markets. It's been a good run, Nike+iPod, but it looks like you've been lapped.
Microscopic chain mail could embed sensors, electronics into clothing
It won't be too long before those new threads sport some kind of socially-infused assistants or help you regulate body temperature, but if researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have their say, your garb could end doing a lot more than that. Following up on discoveries made over six years ago at Harvard and Cambridge, the scientists have devised microscopic chain mail made from miniscule metal links, which could ultimately be woven into "3D textiles." Aside from feeling a bit like Sir Lancealot, the chain-like structures could have electronics and sensors built right in, and the flexible fabric could also conduct electricity when not beaming secret messages or being used as one large homing device for the cops to track you down. Novel as this may sound, wearing a proverbial lighting rod isn't really our bag, so hopefully the cotton biz will continue to do its own thing for old timers' sake.
T-Press automatically irons your trousers
There's a plethora of washing machines out there to take care of the average cotton tee and junker jeans, but when dressing to impress, you need something a notch above dry and wrinkled. Enter the T-Press, an automated robot that desires nothing more than to press your trousers to perfection, and can flatten even the most minuscule, unwanted creases right out of your designer pants. Churning up 1,600 watts, this brushed aluminum machine perfects your pants by using a movable press and offers varying temperature settings to boot, and unlike a typical bout with the steam iron, this process takes just 2.5 minutes to complete and isn't likely to torch your hand in the process. Still, there's no information whatsoever regarding price or future availability, nor any indication of an emergency stop button being included for when it inevitably decides to eat your Van Heusen's for lunch, but feel free to click on over to see the live action mockups if nothing else.[Via SciFiTech]
Burton's Sleeper Hoodie: for the dozing boarder
If you're the type who feels that sleeping is just another way to waste precious seconds of life, the MyDo Bururu glasses can help extend your waking hours and keep you argus-eyed, but if you've been looking for an easy, comfortable way to find sleep while flying around or cramped up in the back seat of a car, Burton feels your pain. Even if you've already dropped entirely too much loot on a plethora of other Burton gear this winter, the company's Sleeper Hoodie could easily extract a few more bills for all its niceties. Aside from sporting a soft, outer layer to keep your toasty, this special hoodie features a built-in iPod / ticket / passport pocket, complimentary earplug compartment, arm pit zips to air yourself out, cuff thumb holes, a pull down "light shield" to block out the rays, and to top it all off, a built-in neck pillow to keep comfy while dreaming away. So if you've nothing better to do on those hour-long ski lift rides to the tip top of the mountain, you might as well cash in on this and snooze a bit (or tune into your iPod) to pass the time.[Via JoshSpear]
Kim Jong-Il's iPod, wine orders to get denied by US
If you've ever wondered what happens when you run an entire nation into the ground, bar almost every type of contact with the outside world, launch nuclear bomb tests against the orders of outsiders, and still try to order an iPod, well, now you know. North Korea's highly dodgy Kim Jong-Il will reportedly be "doing without luxuries" such as iPods, jet skis (saywha?), jewelery, designer clothes, and fine wines as the US implements an all-out ban against selling these goods to the power-trippin' leader. The nation's elite often enjoy lavish luxuries of first-world countries while the vast majority of its people are left without bare necessities, and apparently, new sanctions are trying to put an end to it. While this case has certainly been made before, individual countries were previously allowed to "make their own decisions," however the United States has now taken a stand by barring all luxury sales to Mr. Kim and his constituents -- which will probably do nothing outside of producing a sudden swell in iPod knockoff orders to the DPRK, unfortunately.[Thanks, SRW985]
Plantronics and Quicksilver team up for Bluetooth / iPod-enabled winter gear lineup
Seeing newly-unveiled outerwear touting iPod / Bluetooth connectivity is becoming a winter tradition it seems, as these blustery days bring about visions of new coats, helmets, lift tickets, and never letting go of your dear DAP / cellphone. This time around Quicksilver is seeking the technological know-how from Plantronics as it offers up a "limited edition" lineup of snow-ready gear that plays nice with your iPod and BT-equipped handset. The Double Daffy Snow Jacket sports Plantronics "stereo sound and voice technology" via Bluetooth, and should hit retail stores for $370 soon, while the presumably corresponding Pulse Helmet rocks a lightweight, ABS-infused design, side vents, and a black camo motif for $249.95. For the ladies in the house, the Teen Angel Snow Jacket caters to the female agenda for $340, and the partnering Shiver Helmet will run you $249.95. While no hard availability dates were mentioned, all the new kit will be on display at the SIA conference in Las Vegas through the end of the week, and we assume it'll hit your favorite ski shop shortly thereafter.
