Gap's gadget garment blasts your favorite tunes...

[Zim Hosein]

In a sign that wearable technology is gaining greater acceptance, the Gap on Thursday introduced a fleece jacket with a built-in radio for kids.

Designed jointly by GapKids, the Gap's arm for children's clothing, and toy maker Wild Planet, the "Hoodio" will be available in stores Monday.


"Wearable technology is the latest innovation in the apparel, electronic and toy industries, and we're excited to be at the forefront of this trend by partnering with Wild Planet to create a kids' product as cool and interactive as the Hoodio," GapKids Vice President Mark Breitbard said in a statement.

The Hoodio has a control keypad located on the sleeve and a hood that conceals the speakers, which are removable.

The jacket comes in black, green, blue and pink, and retails for $68. It will be available in stores and on the company's Web site.

Wearable technology has not yet caught on with mainstream consumers, although some companies, including Fairfax, Va.-based Xybernaut, have put products on the market. Xybernaut sells a wearable, 1.9-pound computer with an 8.4-inch touch screen.

Gap's gadget garment blasts your favorite tunes :Q

 

[slydecix]

it's only a radio though... you can't plug your ipod into it

 

[Injury]

...so... how do you wash it?

 

[Ikonomi]

Heh, it's cool, but schools are going to try to confiscate it.

 

[sniperruff]

this is a nice idea but it wouldn't be too safe...

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Injury
...so... how do you wash it?

I'm guessing the components are easily removeable.

 

[MisterJackson]

On Tech TV's Screensavers they had a "Tech" fashion show (yes I'm the only one who watches that show). They had a winter jacket that had a built in control interface for the iPod.

Another jacket had a pocket in the back for your laptop, that seemed a little odd.

 

[dc]

someone's gonna get beatup at school.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
this is a nice idea but it wouldn't be too safe...

I was thinking the same thing sniperruff, I see a lawsuit in the near future!

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Injury
...so... how do you wash it?

I'm guessing the components are easily removeable.

Then why would anyone really prefer this over a regular hoodie and a walkman or some crap? Oh, that's right, because they are consumer whores.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: Injury

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Injury
...so... how do you wash it?

I'm guessing the components are easily removeable.

Then why would anyone really prefer this over a regular hoodie and a walkman or some crap? Oh, that's right, because they are consumer whores.

I have no idea, especially at $68.00!