Google introduced Project Jacquard at last year’s I/O developer conference but it was a very early prototype and more of a concept. A year later at the same conference, that concept has evolved into a viable product. In fact, those who want to try this out won’t have to wait that long as the first Jacquard-enabled jacket is expected to hit shelves in Levi’s stores next year.
While Google Glass and Android Wear have not been highly successful, the Jacquard might actually be Google’s best shot when it comes to wearable tech whose appeal is not limited to just geeks or early adopters.
Since its debut, Jacquard has become more refined. Technology is woven into fabric woven via conductive threads. Because of the thread’s conductive feature, it can act as an interactive touchpad. On the edge of one sleeve of Levi’s Jacquard-enabled jacket, you will find this swath of fabric.
While wearable technology is still a long way from mainstream not just because of the price, but also because it doesn’t appeal to most people yet. However, Google has succeeded in making a wearable that blends seamlessly into actual clothing and making it seem like you aren’t wearing a piece of technology at all.
