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Seems like they originally announced the Jacquard project 6 or so years ago. The idea of weaving electronics into clothing and fashion brands is interesting, bu

Seems like they originally announced the Jacquard project 6 or so years ago. The idea of weaving electronics into clothing and fashion brands is interesting, but I'm not sure how useful it is. The product looks like it's evolved into a small bluetooth chip that you can slide into either shirt sleeves or backbacks and it will sense touches even through the fabric. It's interesting, but also fairly niche. The example they show of the woman sliding the Jacquard device into the rolled back jean jacket sleeve doesn't seem practical though. It just seems like smart watches are a better match for this use case of answering calls and performing quick tasks. Note, it says the product can withstand light splashes, but can't withstand a wash in a machine. What that means is that these devices will get fried on a regular basis...since a device that small is easy to forget about as you toss in your laundry.

QueensGambit 6y ago
So many negative comments. As someone who don't want to be distracted by smartphone, I can see myself using this. Especially this one - https://www.adidas.com/us/gmr-pack/FS0156.html https://www.adidas.com/us/gmr-pack/FS0156.html Some of the reviews about this product do say it stopped working after one season. But, it is not as bad you describe. Hopefully, it will improve over time.
- JumpCrisscross 6y ago
  I like the idea. But it will take someone who isn’t Google to make it work. This is right in Apple’s wheelhouse, though Amazon or a start-up could also pull it off.
  - chaostheory 6y ago
    It will take another company that isn’t Google to get customers to take a risk in buying it. Whenever I see a Google product that I’m not familiar with, I’m wondering, “How long will it be before it’s cancelled?” For Google to succeed with a new hardware product, they will need to either give it away or price it below $10
hrktb 6y ago
I think fundamentally Google is not the best company to push this forward, but there are obvious targets if it was actually working well. In particular I expect the market for devices with lower capabilities (=lower engagement from the user) to be more and more attractive to people who want to be connected, but not too much. A watch is a better match only for people wanting to wear a watch (I don’t, my kid doesn’t, given how the watch market dipped once cell phones reached their critical mass, a significant number of people don’t either if they have a choice) Also keep in mind that it’s only bluetooth, so the phone is always at a reasonable distance to do engaging tasks (answering calls for instance).
mackrevinack 6y ago
it also seems very easy to lose. but maybe that's thev real money making idea!?

QueensGambit 6y ago

So many negative comments. As someone who don't want to be distracted by smartphone, I can see myself using this. Especially this one - https://www.adidas.com/us/gmr-pack/FS0156.html https://www.adidas.com/us/gmr-pack/FS0156.html Some of the reviews about this product do say it stopped working after one season. But, it is not as bad you describe. Hopefully, it will improve over time.

JumpCrisscross 6y ago
I like the idea. But it will take someone who isn’t Google to make it work. This is right in Apple’s wheelhouse, though Amazon or a start-up could also pull it off.
- chaostheory 6y ago
  It will take another company that isn’t Google to get customers to take a risk in buying it. Whenever I see a Google product that I’m not familiar with, I’m wondering, “How long will it be before it’s cancelled?” For Google to succeed with a new hardware product, they will need to either give it away or price it below $10

hrktb 6y ago

I think fundamentally Google is not the best company to push this forward, but there are obvious targets if it was actually working well. In particular I expect the market for devices with lower capabilities (=lower engagement from the user) to be more and more attractive to people who want to be connected, but not too much. A watch is a better match only for people wanting to wear a watch (I don’t, my kid doesn’t, given how the watch market dipped once cell phones reached their critical mass, a significant number of people don’t either if they have a choice) Also keep in mind that it’s only bluetooth, so the phone is always at a reasonable distance to do engaging tasks (answering calls for instance).

mackrevinack 6y ago

it also seems very easy to lose. but maybe that's thev real money making idea!?