Monday, Sep. 12, 2005
Picture this: you're riding the longest ski lift in Courchevel, France. The pine trees are heavy with gleaming snow beneath an azure sky. You reach into your pocket to call a friend to brag about the view and—arghhhh!—you drop your ultra-cool mobile phone 15 m below. Don't let this happen to you. Motorola has teamed up with legendary snowboard and apparel producer Burton Snowboards (
www.burton.com) to bring you the most stylish in wearable electronics: a series of Bluetooth-enabled jackets with imbedded speakers, microphone and keypad that allow you both to talk on your mobile and listen to tunes on your iPod. The jacket is compatible with any Bluetooth-enabled phone, so pop your mobile into the internal insulated pocket (to prolong battery life) and use the microphone near the collar and the speakers in the hood to make your calls. Plug your iPod into an embedded wire in the back of the jacket, place it in the designated pocket, and let the music begin. The keypad on the left outer cuff (lefties take note!) allows you to toggle between phone calls and music with the touch of a button. The speakers and display modules are removable and the jacket is machine washable for easy cleaning. The jackets, which range in price from $500 to $1,000, will be available at select high-end retailers in December. Of course, both companies (not to mention resort operators) expect responsible use of their jackets—screaming out "I'm on the ski slope!" is definitely discouraged.
- Brooke Carnot
- Hi-tech ski jackets let you make calls from the slopes without frozen fingers
