Skip to Content

AOL Tech

clothing posts

Computers

Creepy Two-Legged Robot Walks Like a Human

It's not going to win any foot races, but a new robot being developed for the U.S. Army still has a leg (or two) up on its competition. The "Petman" prototype is a bipedal robot that simulates human walking (video after the break) more realistically than any other robot we've seen. According to Wired, the robot, which is being developed by Boston Dynamics, will be used to test how protective clothing responds during chemical warfare. It walks with a heel-to-toe motion at 3.2 mph and can maintain balance if pushed or bumped. Plus, the robot simulates human environmental and physiological factors -- like temperature, humidity, and "sweating" -- to provide even more realistic testing conditions.

There's a slew of walking robots out there, but "Petman" stands out in the crowd. It's hard to pinpoint what's most amazing -- the 'bot's balance or the walking motion. Just as long as the Army is really using "Petman" to test clothing, and creating a plethora of robot super soldiers. [From: Wired]

Read more →

Cell Phones, Web

New Bluetooth GPS Shoes Keep Track of You

Haven't we all, at some point in our lives, mused to ourselves, "Gee, how great would it be if all of my friends and family could know exactly where I am, at this very instant"? Well now, with a little help from your Bluetooth, they can.

Issac Daniel, the brand that brought GPS shoes to the hooves of the high-tech hungry, has introduced its newest Compass and Blue GPS shoes. The sneakers come with an embedded Bluetooth device that interacts with a Bluetooth-compatible phone, thus keeping track of your tracks. At. All. Times. For $150, you can pre-order your own pair now, in one of several colors and designs. You can even choose between walking shoes and running shoes. Your selection will depend, we assume, on whether or not you plan on escaping from the swarms of people who, you're convinced, are following you.

Read more →

Web

ThredUp: Netflix for Clothes-Swapping


ThredUp, a new "peer-to-peer" clothing exchange site started by two Harvard Business School grads and another friend, adopts a model that's a little closer to Netflix than it is eBay. The idea is to take your unwanted threads, ship them off to the ThredUp warehouses, and then get something really awesome in return. Make a list of brands you like and the good folks at ThredUp will try to match you with other people's undesirable rags via your virtual closet. The only catch is that you must use prepaid ThredUp envelopes ($25 for three) to send in your old clothes.

The site doesn't use pictures and you don't know exactly what you'll be getting; it's more like a clothing lottery, which does sound like a whole lot of fun. But ThredUp also raises some questions. It asks for clothing in "like-new" condition, but also says that if you send in vintage items, you'll receive vintage items. Still, in the ThredUp FAQ, the company answers the completely reasonable question "Wait, I don't get to choose my exact item?" with the following examples: "When you go to a comedy at the movies – you hope it will be funny, but you can't be sure. When you order a steak – you hope it will be good, but you can't be sure."

Read more →

Rechargeable, Winter-Ready Gear Keeps Wearer Warm, Defies Nature


No matter how many gadgets and products humanity develops, there are two forces of nature that technology cannot stop: age and weather. Efforts to prevent aging have changed dramatically in the last century, but our approach to weather has stayed pretty much consistent -- less clothing when it's hot, more when it's cold -- that is, until recently. While nothing can really be done to change the climate, at least forward-thinking clothiers are trying to make it more bearable.

Two self-heating garments have hit the market, each with a particular body part and function to keep wearers toasty as winter approaches. Water-proof and rechargeable, Columbia's Bugathermo hiking boots keep toes toasty as the wearer traverses heavy terrain. Three settings focus on three locations (the lowest just warms the pads of the feat, while the highest delivers heat all over). And the black-and-orange style, along with the LED battery display, are as fashion-conscious as hiking boots are gonna get.

Read more →

Cell Phones

'Social Knitworking' Turns Sweet Texts to Cozy Textiles


Feeling a need to literally show your love, as opposed to just texting sweet nothings to a special someone? What if you could turn your kind words into a warm blanket of affection in which a cherished person could wrap themselves? Sounds like romantic talk, but this is actually the notion behind Distance Lab's newest experiment in communications.

Earlier this summer, the Scotland-based research firm presented the Mustugoto, which let long-distance lovers 'draw' on each other with light. Now the company is experimenting with 'Social Knitworking,' which uses software to scan electronic messages for certain words and phrases, and then to translate the text into patterns. The patterns are transferred to a knitting machine, which then creates a scarf, a tee, or a simple piece of fabric with an abstract pattern embroidered on its surface.

Distance Lab is working in conjunction with researcher Hilary Grant, who studied textile design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, Scotland. Grant became fascinated with the idea of turning ephemeral digital conversations into concrete objects, and with her background in textiles, immediately thought of a knitted keepsake. Whether her notion will turn into a trend remains to be seen, but a scarf made of 'I love yous' might just catch on. [From: BBC.co.uk]
http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=590870&pid=590869&uts=1252195247
http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf
Top 11 Geek T-Shirts
According to none other than Wired magazine, T-shirts have come into their own as a form of media, one that uniquely documents messages and stories, not to mention emergent technologies and companies changing the way we use the Internet. Here at Switched, we write a lot about these next-gen, "Web 2.0" companies and technologies, which include everyone from MySpace and Facebook to Twitter and even Google.

Given that we're partial to t-shirts with nerdy, tech-infused jokes and terminology, we figured it was high time to find the best geek t-shirts specifically related to Web 2.0 speak (like the "Your Podcast is Lame" t-shirt, flickr user ericskiff, pictured above). So here, dear readers is our humble survey of the wild, cotton-meets-code world of Web 2.0 t-shirts. If anything, it'll give you something cool to talk about during your podcast.
Getty Images

Top 11 Geek T-Shirts

    According to none other than Wired magazine, T-shirts have come into their own as a form of media, one that uniquely documents messages and stories, not to mention emergent technologies and companies changing the way we use the Internet. Here at Switched, we write a lot about these next-gen, "Web 2.0" companies and technologies, which include everyone from MySpace and Facebook to Twitter and even Google.

    Given that we're partial to t-shirts with nerdy, tech-infused jokes and terminology, we figured it was high time to find the best geek t-shirts specifically related to Web 2.0 speak (like the "Your Podcast is Lame" t-shirt, flickr user ericskiff, pictured above). So here, dear readers is our humble survey of the wild, cotton-meets-code world of Web 2.0 t-shirts. If anything, it'll give you something cool to talk about during your podcast.

    From Facebook and MySpace on down to countless start-ups, social networking sites are Web 2.0 bread and butter. Unfortunately, the facts and pictures on someone's profile don't always match the real, offline version. If you enjoy racking up virtual friends, but worry about the real world rendezvous, you'll be prepared for the worst with this straight-shooting t-shirt.
    From CafePress

    For all of its entrepreneurial, spare-garage innovation, Web 2.0 has bred some sprawling companies. Google's certainly risen to the top, but a $600 share price has incited a fair amount of jealousy and worry from outsiders as the company continues to buy startups and expand its information empire. Only time will tell what the men of the "Don't Be Evil" mantra hath wrought, but for now you can preserve the madness across your pecs.
    From Scary Go Round

    Success has a strange currency on the social news site Digg, where links rated positively by users (given a 'digg,' in other words) can drive Web sites, blog posts, and all kinds of stories to new heights of popularity. Isn't this the kind of validation we yearn for offline? And what will this shirt do to the 'Kiss me I'm Irish' industry?
    From NerdyShirts

    Michael Scott's classic catch phrase might be a tad different if he had been written as a Web entrepreneur instead of a regional manager at Dunder Mifflin (from 'The Office,' for those of you who don't watch TV). Twitter traffics in brief update messages that its users can send from any Internet-connected device, making it ripe for compulsive friend-monitoring as well as double-entendre hunters. "Come Twitter on my sensitive iPhone touchscreen?" The possibilities are endless.
    From Cottyn

    While the lolcat phenomenon started on Internet message boards, sites such as I Can Has Cheezburger? brought goofy cat pictures and idiosyncratic captions to the Web masses. It might not fit the strictest definition of Web 2.0, but ICHS is a vast social network with some very cool features (it also mints ad money, which always helps in Web 2.0 circles). This shirt allows for easy, dry-erase marker customization of a classic lolcat caption meme. Prepare to be the life of the party. Im in ur Switched bloggin ur tshirts!
    From ThinkGeek

    This might be what she Twittered if she thought your bookmarks were del.icio.us. Or if she really wanted to StumbleUpon your toolbar discoveries. Or... never mind. Fact is, tagging links, images, and other pieces of information online are the hot way to organize things in Web 2.0, and this shirt means its wearer is in the know. Just remember to stop staring and make eye contact occasionally.
    From CafePress

    'Don't drink the Kool-Aid' is a warning adopted by those skeptical of Web 2.0 optimism and wary of a second dotcom bubble. Mule Design's Feed Store describes this shirt as an "image of Tim O'Reilly (acknowledged as the coiner of 'Web 2.0') busting out of his lawyers office." Indeed.
    From Mule Design

    Events like the 'Snakes on a Plane' phenomenon suggest that Samuel L. Jackson is down with Web 2.0, but as 'Pulp Fiction' fans know, there are some words that he'd rather not hear repeated. Despite your awesome Technorati ranking, friends and relatives might feel the same way. Tread carefully.
    From coolestshop.com

    The nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation has been fighting for digital rights since its founding in 1990. The importance of its work grows with the ever-expanding reach of the Internet, a place where things like free speech, intellectual property, and privacy are still being defined and contested. Wear your support for digital freedom and the EFF on your sleeve with this shirt. We hear that the Internet finds it irresistible.
    From Electronic Frontier Foundation

Astronaut Brings Back Space Undies for Scientists to Study


After four months in space, Koichi Wakata is returning to Earth -- and bringing his astronaut underwear with him. According to the Associated Press, scientists will be examining these experimental anti-bacterial, flame retardant, antistatic, and water-absorbent briefs. More importantly, the underwear (dubbed "J-Wear") is designed to be odor-free. Designed in Japan, the undies are made of a fabric composed of cotton and polyester. The seamless and light-weight material is also available in shirt, pants, and sock variations.

Since astronauts have no way of washing clothes, durability and length of wear are key as astronauts usually throw away worn clothes via cargo ships sent back into atmosphere. Wakata told the AP: "I wore them for about a month, and my station crew members never complained for about a month, so I think the experiment went fine." [From AP, via USA Today]

Web

The 'Matrix' Merovingian's Tie, and Other Sci-Fi Styles

For tie-wearers who abide by the fashions of geek chic, the ultimate is most certainly the Ediety Knot, unofficially titled the "Merovingian knot" due to its being worn by the French hedonist in the 'Matrix' trilogy. Known as being incredibly complicated and definitely suave, this how-to video breaks down the knot so anyone can imitate the slick rogue 'program' with a taste for French expletives. [From: Lifehacker]

This fancy knot makes us think of the other great additions to fashion that sci-fi has given us. And we don't just mean the Princess Leia buns. Everyday shoes, sunglasses, and even runway styles have found inspiration in the frames and pages of science fiction classics. Here are our five ultimate, and most wearable, pieces of nerd gear.

Read more →

Web

Personal Online Shopping Service Caters to Lazy Men



It's no big secret that men hate shopping. The experience is a bit like the Goldilocks tale, except there is no "just right" ending. Enter the style-savvy ladies over at Oregon-based Trunk Club. According to TechCrunch, the company has created a concierge-type service for dudes who just want to sit at home, get a box of clothes delivered, and then have pretty ladies provide honest feedback.

Using Skype, the Internet and her experience as a stylist, Trunk Club CEO Joanna Van Vleck started the Web site for guys who can't stand shopping, but don't quite have the budget or time for a personal shopper, either. After a man (it's men-only) signs up, he explains to a shopper what he wants, what his size is, and what type of budget he is working with. The shopper then picks out a selection of duds -- no minimum is required -- and ships out a box for the customer to try on. He communicates with the shopper via webcam and they decide what he should keep and what he should return, all the shipping costs being included in the membership fees. Then, he pays retail price for whatever he chooses to keep.

The catch? Well, there is someone else shopping for you, so this service might not be ideal for the super-picky. Also, due to the semi-intimate nature of the webcam, the site has potential to lure lonely men who don't want clothes, but only personal contact with interested women (all of the site's shoppers are female). But, for the guy that simply can't be bothered, this might be the perfect way to get rid of those silk-screened Ed Hardy shirts you always wind up wearing, once and for all. [From: TechCrunch.com]

Visionaries

Hi-Tech Clothing Could Improve Elderly Folks' Lives

A three-year research project at the University of Ulster could revolutionize the clothing industry, according to BBC News. Researchers are studying ways to equip clothing with electronic devices that could possibly monitor heart rates or automatically adjust the thermostat of a home. Professor Bryan Scotney told BBC News that the technology could greatly improve the lives of elderly folks who wish to continue living on their own.

The University of Ulster's Computer Science Research Institute has been working on the healthcare technologies, hoping to increase independence for users. Researchers want to create tech-enabled clothing that is not only user-friendly, but comfortable as well. While the elderly are often too tech-phobic to embrace a shirt that monitors heart rates or a dress that tells bus schedules, we'd think that, if the clothes fit well and are cozy, these researchers could be on to something.

Jane McCann, of the University of Wales, who is also involved with the project, said the designers are considering both function and fit. She told the BBC News that, if a synthesis of the two were accomplished, it could signal the "beginning of a new industrial revolution." [From: BBC News]

LED-Enabled Marriage Hunting Bra for Hubby Hunting


We're told that there is a declining birth-rate crisis in Japan, so prospective mothers need extra help to quickly tie the knot and proceed to crucial babymaking. Enter Triumph International's 'Marriage Hunting Bra,' the first bra to feature a large LED clock that counts down the days until a woman's ideal nuptials (don't worry, it's not a biological clock or anything -- the timing is customizable).

But today's modern woman on-the-go needs more than just a wedding day countdown -- this multifunctional mammary support system features a ring holder, a pen, and a personal marriage seal. To be honest, the thing looks like a 2nd-base preventing chastity belt. For a full demonstration of this corset of desperation, check out this review from a Japanese news program. [From: Pink Tentacle via Dvice]

Odor-Free Underwear Coming Soon to a Retailer Near You


Truthfully, there's just not enough work being done in the area of advanced underpants, so we're absolutely elated to hear that textile experts at Japan Women's University in Tokyo are picking up the slack and moving forward with an amazing development. Koichi Wakata, the first Japanese astronaut to live on the International Space Station, is current testing the "odor-free" clothing, and it's said that he can rock the same drawls without any pungent smells for a solid week. The garb is designed to "kill bacteria, absorb water, insulate the body and dry quickly," and as if that wasn't awesome enough, they're also flame-resistant and anti-static. The best news? There are already talks of bringing this stuff to the commercial realm. Don't deny it -- you're already thinking of how stellar it'd be to wash clothes just once per month.

Audio/Video

Create Your Own Musical Bra



The fine folks over at Instructables have posted some wild mods in their time, but the musical bra you see above inhabites its own realm in terms of weirdness and lack of usefulness... unless you really want a bra that makes music of course. The speaker is on the front, with a battery pack between the shoulder blades at the back, and each cup is equipped with eight different "sounds" culled from a small keyboard, which are triggered by custom-made buttons sewn into the bra. Hit the read link for the full rundown of how to make one of your very own, but fair warning: you're going to have to be pretty adept with needle and thread to get this project done, but the final result should be fairly priceless. After all, who doesn't want a clunky, hideous sports bra that makes noise? Exactly. [Via Music Radar]

Solstrom's New Nano-Bikini Is Water-Repellent


Last year the brain trust in Zurich announced their high-tech leisure suit that never gets wet, and now Solestrom International (the UV-detecting bikini company) has announced its own water-repellent nano-material. Called Sun Dry, each fiber of the new fabric is surrounded by an invisible barrier that allows water to pass through it rather than being absorbed into it. Essentially, the swimwear can't soak up liquid, is resistant to chlorine, and is rated SPF 50. Running the gamut from black to maroon to red, the clothing is in the $29 - $99 price range. Perfect for your next trip to Rockaway Beach.

[Via Telegraph]

Video Games

Dorkiest Varsity Jacket Ever Lays on the Nintendo Charm



At first glance, we actually gagged upon seeing the jacket pictured above. Immediately after regaining our composure, we wondered how on earth such a magnificent piece of retro kitsch could have such a negative impact on our lives. Then, it hit us. It's the dude. Seriously. Strap this $200, limited-run jacket on anyone even remotely beautiful and we'd bet that you, too, would see things differently. Or maybe it is just obscenely tacky. But it'd be much less so on anyone other than this fellow. [From: OhGizmo]


Relevant Links:

Audio/Video, Computers

Wearable Toy Piano Turns You Into a Music-Playing Machine

no
Now here's a concept. A musical shirt with enough transistors to make even the hardest of hardcore nerd blush, and a long-sleeve garment fashionable enough to make even the world-class design student stop and admire. Mashed into one. The Musical toy piano shirt is that very piece, which was constructed to wow onlookers at the Electronic Textile workshop held this month in Switzerland. Packing removable batteries, speakers and circuitry, the shirt enables the wearer to emit eight different notes from Do to Do, and we hear there's nothing quite as cute as playing a song on yourself. See what we mean in the vid hosted just after the break.

[Via Coolest-Gadgets]

Read more →

Switched Video

Follow Switched on Twitter

Deals of the Day

Latest Reviews from CNET.com

CNET provides the latest tech news, unbiased reviews, videos, podcasts, software, and downloads, making tech products easy to find, understand and use.

Top Product Reviews

  • Home Audio Reviews

    9.0 out of 10

    Definitive Technology BPX
    Works great with Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Digital. Full Review

    9.0 out of 10

    Denon AVR-4306 (black)
    Incredibly well-featured 7.1-channel receiver; excellent sound quality; three HDMI inputs; converts analog video to HDMI output; upconverts analog video to 720p/1080i HD resolution; iPod and USB MP3 player connectivity; Internet radio and MP3/WMA streaming audio via built-in Ethernet port; XM Satellite Radio compatible; touch-screen remote; multizone, multisource operation; browser-based control via home network; accurate autocalibration routine. Full Review

    8.8 out of 10

    KEF KHT3005 (black)
    The KEF KHT-3005 is one compact, beautifully designed speaker package with solid aluminum satellites that feature unique driver technology to produce incredible clarity. Meanwhile, the equally astounding dual 10-inch, 250-watt powered subwoofer delivers ultradeep bass. Full Review

  • Cell Phone Reviews

    8.7 out of 10

    SignalBoost Mobile Professional Amplifier Kit
    The Mobile Professional Amplifier delivers a powerful signal boost to your cell phone. Also, it offers a compact design and easy setup. Full Review

    8.6 out of 10

    Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL cell phone signal extender
    The Wi-Ex zBoost YX510-PCS-CEL significantly boosts your cell phone reception and is easy to operate. Also, it uses a wireless connection to your phone. Full Review

    8.3 out of 10

    LG VX6000 (Verizon Wireless)
    Compact and stylish; impressive battery life; solid audio quality; sharp color screen; built-in camera; USB ready; affordable. Full Review

  • Digital Camera Reviews

    9.3 out of 10

    Canon EOS 1D Mark III
    Extremely fast, 10-megapixel continuous shooting; very low noise; highly customizable; well-designed body with weather sealing; 3-inch LCD; abundant optional accessories. Full Review

    9.3 out of 10

    Nikon D3 (body only)
    Full-frame sensor; well designed, pro-level weather-sealed body; very low noise, even at extremely high ISOs; fast. Full Review

    9.0 out of 10

    Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III
    Very low noise, high quality images; 21.1 megapixels; live view shooting; pro-level build-quality and performance. Full Review

  • Desktop Reviews

    8.9 out of 10

    Velocity Micro Edge Z30 (Intel Core i7)
    Best value among midrange gaming PCs; Velocity Micro's consistently high build quality; compact case makes few sacrifices; second graphics card slot previously uncommon at this price. Full Review

    8.5 out of 10

    Apple iMac (24-inch, 2.8GHz)
    A minor specification update results in some significant performance gains; graphics upgrade an option on this 24-inch model; sleek, polished design didn't receive an update, but we won't start clamoring for a new design until the current one is at least 12 months old. Full Review

Featured Galleries

Nissan Land Glider
Vintage Keyboards
Retro Computer Logos
Vintage Computer Festival
Motorola CLIQ
iPod touch
iTunes 9
Video iPod Nano
The Beatles: Rock Band

 

Switched Desktop

Get the New Switched Desktop

Latest tech news, Switched mail, and more.

AOL Tech Network

Resources