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Comment by StefanKarpinski | Hacker News Reader

This may be the worst, least informative technology website I've ever seen – and that is a high (low?) bar. It fails the "what is it?" test with spectacular aplomb. And never have I learned less from a "learn more" page. “Music should keep you moving, not make you look at your phone.” Um, yeah, ok, thanks for that helpful information.

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Agreed. I did find this on one of the pages however:

"Tiny electronics contained in the flexible snap tag connect the Jacquard Threads in the jacket’s cuff to your mobile device. The snap tag lets you know about incoming information, like a phone call, by giving you light and haptic feedback. Inspired by a strap that you would see on a cuff, it looks and feels like it’s a part of the jacket. The tag also houses the battery which can last up to 2 weeks between USB charges."

The Google Support site has this description:

In collaboration with Google Inc., Levi's® has reimagined their iconic Trucker Jacket to create an interactive, connected garment that allows wearers to access a variety of mobile services tailored to the needs of an urban commuter. Control music, get your next direction, and screen your calls & texts by swiping or tapping the jacket sleeve. Touch and gesture data is wirelessly transmitted to mobile phones or other devices through the Jacquard snap tag.

https://support.google.com/jacquard/?hl=en

It’s a jean jacket with a touch sensitive left sleeve cuff that talks to your phone via a tiny BTLE dongle that snaps onto the jacket. Requires Android 6.0.1 and a supported phone.

Couldn't agree more. It took me multiple clicks before arriving at a video that was too long, had no words (except the phone responses), and was mostly made up of fancy fast video cuts. I had to watch the whole thing before I understood how the jacket could interface with the phone. There's was no information about how the jacket or tech works. I spent spent several more minutes trying to find technical details. Like how long until the jacket runs out of battery, assuming it has one... But, I did confirm that the jacket is washable, so there's that.

For a moment, I wondered if it was the 1st of April.

If they had included a video of ordering a pizza by rubbing one's tummy I think you'd be on to something there.

The video linked off of "Learn more" makes it pretty clear.

Have you thought that maybe you're not the target audience for that page, and that most people in the world are not interested in the technical details as you are?

But where are the non-technical details?

From the page:

Specifically tailored with the urban cyclist in mind, the Levi’s Commuter Trucker Jacket was designed for getting around the city. The jacket features articulated shoulders to provide extra room to maneuver, reflectors, and a dropped hem to keep you covered as you ride. You can easily access your digital world because Jacquard technology is woven right into the sleeve.

Tiny electronics contained in the flexible snap tag connect the Jacquard Threads in the jacket’s cuff to your mobile device.1 The snap tag lets you know about incoming information, like a phone call2, by giving you light and haptic feedback. Inspired by a strap that you would see on a cuff, it looks and feels like it’s a part of the jacket. The tag also houses the battery which can last up to 2 weeks between USB charges.3

Wait, there's more:

Customize and control your jacket with the Jacquard app. Abilities let you control messages, phone calls, navigation, music4, and more. Assign and reassign different abilities to the gestures you want to use and decide when you want to be notified by LED and/or haptic feedback.

And so on...

He didn't ask for technical details, he asked what the * is this? But maybe the target audience are extravagant billionaires who will buy anything with a logo, regardless of what it actually is.

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