Google has teamed up with Samsonite on the launch of two Konnect-I backpacks. The two backpacks going for $230 and $200 each will come equipped with the tech giant’s Jacquard technology that enables easy connection to smartphones.
Konnect-I Backpack
The technology which is already in use in the $880 Yves Saint Laurent Cit-E backpack is designed to make the fabric respond even to the slightest of touches. Fabric sensitivity makes it possible to assign various actions and gestures.
Once charged, the Jacquard module can be slid into place on the shoulder strap and should vibrate when correctly installed. With the help of an iOS and Android jacquard app, one can assign various actions to gestures such as brush up, brush down, or double-tap.
The smart backpack idea is to make it easy for people to interact with their phones while either biking or walking to work. The jacquard module syncs with a smartphone via Bluetooth and through to the Jacquard app.
In this case, it becomes much easier to do things like start a music player, skip, or pause music. For instance, a user can set a swipe up to go back to a particular song, skip to the next song by simply brushing down the backpack strap.
Konnect-I Edge
The Konnect I-backpacks also makes it possible to talk to a virtual assistant and ask any question or drop pins for direction. One can also chose to have the Dangle’s LED light-up green whenever there is an incoming message on the phone or a call.
The Konnect –I backpack underscores how smart technologies are increasingly becoming part and parcel of people’s lives. The fact that people spend upwards of $200 for a nice bag for gadgets should see the gadget elicit strong demand as people look to stay in touch with their gadgets while moving around. Likewise, the Konnect-I backpack validates Google’s Jacquard technology that has already found its way into jackets.
