IBM Move Into The Fashion Market

Posted Thursday 10th July 2008 by Catherine in Uncategorized.

IBM are known for their computing technology and are about to incorporate that with a move into the fashion world of jewellery. In a slightly unusual move for the International Business Machine, Tiffany’s and Cartier are about to get a run for their money with a new line in communications. The technology is in place to make jewellery for men and women that will incorporate the most discreet mobile phone you are ever likely to see.

And this is how they plan to make it work. A ring, necklace, watch and earring set will be worn, looking like standard jewellery but with a difference. The ring will flash to alert you to an incoming call. The caller’s number is displayed on your watch and you can answer the call by pressing a button on the same watch. You can hear the caller through a tiny speaker in the earrings and the necklace holds a microphone to speak into.

This is going to bring a whole new dimension to people talking to themselves on the bus in the morning!
If the new idea takes off, IBM hope to make a range of wired clothing, such as jackets with fabric that display digital images. The new ideas in the digital world will bring privacy issues into the forefront once again with gadgets and gizmos that will go virtually undetected. All very nice in a James Bond film but is it morally acceptable in everyday life?

IBM’s research centre in California are working on many things that would make an international spy proud. A sugar-cube sized wearable camera that takes digital photos and a wallet sized Person Area Network device which works on natural conductivity of the human body and then transmits data, swapping the information with others that are wearing PAN via a simple handshake.

The company are also working on emotion sensing, monitoring body temperature, heartbeat and moods. This information can then be transmitted over the internet and others can gain access to it. All very well if you want to know if your other half is coming home in a bad mood and you should hide that new dress you bought for another day and another mood but is there any point, in general, in spending time on the net trying to access your partners mood and would you really want it done to you?

Although the technology for these types of gadgets is already in existence, IBM are still encountering problems with rechargeable batteries that are suitable for these products. It’s hardly appropriate to have to recharge your necklace or jacket when you get to work!

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