Motorola to build cell phones into ski jackets

[Brad Isaac]

While we're on the subject of what to get the geek who has everything, how about a cell phone built into a ski jacket? Yes I have to admit, I cannot call my friends or relatives from my ski jacket. But this is America - I should be able to! According to Computerworld magazine, Motorola is trying to win over the twentysomething crowd by producing cell phone enabled snowboarding jackets. The jackets will contain a cell phone and an MP3 music player -- both can be controlled from the sleeve and there will be a headset built into the hood so you can listen to the music and make your calls without removing your coat (a first!). It will also enable Bluetooth technology, so you can use your Bluetooth headset or Pocket PC to do a GPRS connection to your e-mail before you snowboard into that tree. At least you won't have to worry about how to make that call for an ambulance!
'They're trying to connect with the upcoming generation," said Neil Strother, an analyst at research firm In-Stat/MDR. "Will it lift Motorola to No. 1? I doubt it, but it won't hurt. It could go beyond a fad and be longer-term."
Strother estimated that phones sold as part of apparel-type packages could eventually represent 1% to 3% of Motorola's handset shipments. But he said the deal also affords the company an opportunity to cross-promote a partnership it announced in July with Apple Computer Inc., whose iPods have become the MP3 player of choice. Apple is developing a slimmed-down version of its iTunes jukebox software to be installed on some of Motorola's phones.'