Google’s connected jacket will be available later this year

GOOGLE and Levi’s will release a connected smart jacket later this year, but who is going to buy it?

JACKETS are no longer just about keeping warm and providing pocket space. Now they’re connected devices that can help you navigate the city and connect to your smartphone.

Google has teamed up with Levi’s to make a connected denim jacket designed to appeal to inner city cyclists who are apparently too busy to miss a phone call during their ride.

The jacket will be available in the second part of the year and is expected to cost about $US350, so likely somewhere around $460 for Australians.

According to its creators, the jacket has technology woven into its material to turn it into a gesture-controlled garment.

The jacket is fitted with Bluetooth-enabled cufflinks which allow the user to control music, get directions and answer phone calls.

“Over time additional features will be added to further make this jacket your co-pilot for life, on or off your bike,” Levi’s says on its website.

However given those are the main functions of the jacket it begs the question; should people be listening to music or taking calls while riding their bike around the city?

And would you pay $460 for the privilege?

Levi's and Google to drop a $350 smart jacket this Fall capable of answering phone calls and controlling music pic.twitter.com/hydhrzcNHq

— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) March 12, 2017

It is certainly stylish, but given the niche target market of the item — tech savvy cyclists — it’s tough to see the jacket becoming a massive success.

Despite the major flop of Google Glass, the tech giant’s Advanced Technology and Products (ATAP) group still clearly believes in the big potential of wearables.

Google and Levi’s announced their plan to produce connected garments nearly two years ago and the denim jacket is the first product to be borne of the collaboration.

The price and vague release of the jacket was announced by Levi’s global product innovation head Paul Dillinger and ATAP’s Ivan Poupyrev at SXSW during a discussion on connected devices.