Many of us immediately associate the phrase wearable technology with smartwatches and products like Google Glass, but we’re also getting closer to our clothes linking up with our smartphones too. The latest, and coolest example yet is tshirtOS 2.0, a funky digital shirt with an LED display on the front, ready to broadcast your message to the world.
Now, when you hear LED display, you could be forgiven for thinking the shirt is going to be bulky, heavy, and worst of all, really ugly. But it’s not. The LED panel is almost completely invisible, making the t-shirt look like any other, at least until it’s turned on. The LEDs allow for custom messages and animations to play across your chest, and it’s all controlled by an app on your phone.
Using the special app, unique animated designs can be sent wirelessly to tshirtOS 2.0, the only restriction being the amount of LEDs available. It’ll be possible to change the design at anytime, to almost anything you want. Think about it. It could be simply broadcasting your Twitter address to everyone who sees you, or displaying animated works of art that can be erased and replaced when you’re bored of them. It’s the indecisive fashionista’s dream.
Sound like fun? Of course it does, but we bet you’re thinking it’s going to be incredibly impractical, right? Good news, it’s not. The tshirtOS 2.0 is completely flexible, and can be screwed up just like all your regular shirts. It’s made from soft touch cotton, can be folded up, hand-washed and isn’t ruined if you happen to spill something down it.
The tshirtOS 2.0 has been developed by Switch, a wearable tech company based in San Francisco, and has been adopted by the whisky company Ballantine’s as a promotional tool. Sadly, you can’t pop out and buy yourself a tshirtOS 2.0 just yet, as there are only 20 in existence. Ballantine’s is going to be showing them off at venues all over the world, but in the meantime, take a look at the video below to see a test version of the t-shirt in action.
