Levi’s Dresses Up Google’s Connected Jacket With Uber Notifications

One year after it went on sale, Google is adding more functions to its connected jean jacket with Levi’s, including support for ridesharing alerts, Bose’s “Aware Mode,” and location saving.

Last year Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) group introduced Jacquard, a connected apparel platform that lets clothing designers and manufacturers mesh connectivity, interactivity and clothes.

Levi’s is the first company to use the smart clothing technology with its Levi’s Commuter Trucker Jacket, which retails for $350.

“The first thing to know about the Levi’s Commuter Trucker Jacket with Jacquard is just that: It’s a jacket. Like any regular denim jacket, you can wash it (just remove the snap tag); it’s durable, designed to be comfortable for cycling and it’ll keep you warm on and off the bike,” wrote Google. “With Jacquard technology, you can perform common digital tasks — like starting or stopping music, getting directions or reading incoming text messages — by simply swiping or tapping the jacket sleeve.”

According to TechCrunch, the latest features arrived in the Jacquard platform 1.2 update on Monday (May 14) and will continue to roll out over the next week.

With the new addition, users can simply connect to Lyft and/or Uber in the companion mobile app, and assign the “rideshare” ability to the snap tag located on the cuff. The jacket will notify you when your ride is three minutes away and when it has arrived.

There is also support for Bose’s Aware Mode, which offers noise reduction through headphones while still allowing users to hear important sounds around them, such as approaching vehicles, horns, and other people.

In addition, users can turn any gesture into a toggle for Aware Mode to turn it on or off for Bose’s QC30 and QC35 headphone, as well as drop a pin on the map to save a location, and then see, share or edit it from the app’s Activity screen.

While Google and Levi’s aren’t sharing sales numbers, a Google spokesperson told TechCrunch that “[Levi’s is] pleased with the response and continue[s] to be excited to hear from people about what’s useful and what requests they have once they purchase the jacket.”