Motorola's Big Plan: Link Your Phone To Your Ski Jacket?

from the well,-it's-something dept

Tue, Jan 4th 2005 10:32am — Mike Masnick

What is it with high tech jackets? For years, we've had various stories about high tech jackets with all sorts of electronics built in. The latest is Motorola's effort at becoming cool with the younger generation. They've decided to team up with Burton to build a Bluetooth-enabled ski jacket, with special pockets for a phone and an MP3 player, along with controls on the sleeve and speakers in the hood. Motorola says it's just the start of their (I'm paraphrasing) "no, really, we think we're cool" marketing strategy that will involve plenty of other accessories linked up to Motorola phones. Of course, it makes you wonder why these accessories need to work strictly with Motorola. If they're just using Bluetooth, couldn't you just as easily substitute another Bluetooth phone for the Motorola one -- meaning that other providers could easily take advantage of all this development effort?

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Jared, 4 Jan 2005 @ 10:53am

What is marketing thinking?
Kinda like Oakley's Thump sunglasses (MP3 player). They were way too bulky to be considered sunglasses in my opinion. Besides, what would you do if you were inside, or it was dark outside?

This makes no sense whatsoever. If it's not snowing or cold, there's no use for a jacket, so why put expensive electronics in them? Oh yeah...to appeal to those in their young age that need to spend money on something in order to boost their self esteem. Some people will buy it. Will it be big? No.
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Steve Mueller, 4 Jan 2005 @ 11:44am

It Doesn't Sound Too Bad
I'm not a skier, but this doesn't seem useless to me. If you're spending a few hours on the slopes, this jacket sounds like it gives you a convenient way to keep your music with you and answer any phone calls you may get. The controls on the sleeves make it convenient to use with gloves on. Do you have a more convenient way to listen to music and answer calls on the slopes?
No, it's not going to be useful in hot weather (duh), but what ski jacket is? Are you saying people shouldn't get ski jackets?
If you're saying that they shouldn't listen to music or take calls on the slopes, I'd be closer to agreeing, but I suppose that's up to the individual unless there are rules or laws prohibiting that.
As for Mike's comment that other manufacturers' Bluetooth devices might work with the jacket, so what? Motorola sells Bluetooth headsets, speakers and car kits that probably work with other companies' products, too. Should they not do that?
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