From Issue #3 , Page #86 | By Rachel Cericola , Dan Leahy

Don’t suffer for fashion! A series of new developments

Technology has invaded the workplace, taken up residence in our homes, and is ready to cross the final frontier—it's becoming the latest fashion. In an attempt to make geek truly chic, technology is about to go en vogue like never before.

BEST DRESSED

Perhaps the most elaborate extension of the fashion/tech fusion is the PAN (personal area network). This concept was pioneered by SCOTTeVEST of Chicago, Illinois. The company released its original TEC jacket in 2002. With 40 plus pockets designed for holding your favorite tech gadgets, it's perfect for even the most tech-burdened commuter. "We strive to make functional fashion that is great looking," says Scott Jordan, founder and CEO. But it doesn't just look nice, it's also wired with conduits for linking to PDAs, cellphones, and MP3 players. These conduits make up the PAN. "Everyone needs a way to carry their stuff, and not just gadgets," Jordan says. "Let's face it: belt clips suck!" By the time you read this, Jordan estimates that SCOTTeVEST will have about 20 unique products, as well as many third-party accessories. Prices range from $20 to $400, and just about every price point in between.

Tech Time

Wrist wear, long a haven for gadgets and one-upmanship, is another area where technology is taking off. In its continuing quest for world domination, Microsoft recently unveiled its line of Smart Watches for MSN Direct. The watches, a product of Microsoft's Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT) division, are manufactured by Fossil, Inc. and allow people to conveniently and discreetly receive the information that matters most to them.

"Smart Watches for MSN Direct are an amazing concept," says Michael Gartenberg, VP and research director for Jupiter Research in his analyst Web log. "They exemplify the power that technology has to transform already useful objects into objects that are smarter and more valuable to people."

MSN Direct will be able to personalized information from leading content partners, including CinemaSource, Citysearch.com, ComStock Inc., Encarta, ESPN, MSNBC, The Wall Street Journal Online, Weather.com, and much more. In addition, subscribers to the MSN Direct service can receive personal messages via the MSN Messenger and calendar appointment reminders from Microsoft Outlook.

Customers can choose from two MSN Direct pricing options: a monthly subscription rate of $9.95 per month with the first month free or an annual payment of $59 for a full year of service.

Workout Wonders

Technology can do many things: It's a time-saver, a space-saver and at times, it's even a lifesaver. And even though it might be hard to believe, technology can even help get you into shape. And we're not talking about those old machine with the vibrating band. You're going to have to do the bulk of the work, but these little helpers might take some of the work out of your workout.

Shoe manufacturer adidas is getting a "leg up" on the competition with their latest innovation, 1. After three years of in-house research and development, 1 is a shoe that provides variable cushioning by continually adjusting itself. By using a sensor and a magnet, the shoe interprets whether the cushioning level is too soft or too firm via a small computer. A motor-driven cable system adapts the level accordingly, which ensures maximum comfort during a run. An exclusive distribution of shoes will be in select retailers and adidas Sport Performance stores in December 2004. The shoes are expected to retail for about $300.

For those not quite ready to invest so much in their footwear, you can keep tabs on your current performance with the Philips MP3RUN ($299). Of course, there are an unbelievable amount of MP3 players currently on the market, and almost every single one of them is compact enough to take with you for a run, a bike ride or even when climbing stairs. But what makes the MP3RUN different is that while providing 256 MB of storage capacity, enough for 125 WMA tracks or 60 MP3s (plenty of your workout), it also provides on-demand audible feedback on the distance you are covering, running speed and elapsed time. You can even store up to 200 workouts to track your progress.

The Eyes Have It

The days of virtual reality goggles and other far-fetched heads-up displays may be past, but innovative new displays are on the way. Thanks to advances in the microdisplay industry, it won't be long before you have the equivalent of a 17-inch screen up and running at all times. You can even check your email, surf the Web, or watch a movie without being hooked up to a laptop.

Scientists and several start-up companies have figured out how to make tiny wearable screens, with diagonals of less than half-an-inch, and project to what looks like a life-size screen floating a couple of feet in front of your eyes. This is accomplished by powerful magnifying optics placed on top of the display. With such a small device providing a relatively large picture, the user can remain engaged with the environment around them.

MicroOptical is one of the companies working on this technology, with their BV-1 binocular video glasses. This mobile entertainment center allows you to watch movies, listen to music, and even play games on a spiffy set of eyewear. This product, as well as a variety of other units, can be found on MicroOptical's Web site. Contact them for pricing and retail locations.

Coming Soon

Motorola, already a pioneer in the slick and tech-driven cellular communications industry, is now making a strong play in the area of personal fashion and technology.

The Life Recorder is a digital memory database that can be strapped conveniently to an article of clothing. Operating as a miniature camera, this device will record images, sounds, messages and notes from one's daily life into an electronic diary. The user can access the diary to remind them of people they've met, or even the places they have visited. Total Recall anyone? But don't rush out yet; this product is still in the concept phase.

Motorola's other concept is the Mood Hood, an intuitive device placed in a hood and worn with any casual outfit. The wearer can then receive alerts to when people are in his/her space, and will be able to send music and video clips through a shared connection.

Cutting-edge technology hasn't inspired catwalk-worthy fashion yet, but like bulky cell phones and monstrous PCs of the past, it's important to remember that form follows function.