Roger Fingas
Sony is crowdfunding a project called the Reon Pocket, a wearable AC/heater unit compatible with both iPhones and Android devices.
The Pocket slips into a compartment in the back of a custom undershirt, and is powerful enough to drop local skin temperature from 36 Celsius (96.8 Fahrenheit) to 23 (73.4 Fahrenheit), according to Sony. Much of the company's marketing is geared towards Japanese businessmen, who frequently walk the streets during the country's infamously hot summers.
Wearers connect to their phone via Bluetooth 5.0. Through an app they can switch between heating and cooling, adjust intensity, and toggle automatic activation.
Crowdfunding is currently Japanese-only and at 45% of a 66,000,000 million yen goal, about $607,332. Included shirts are only in S, M, and L sizes, and the bundle is selling for 14,080 yen, roughly $130. It's unclear if or when the product might reach other regions.
Sony lists the product as compatible with iOS 13, which remains in beta ahead of a fall release date. The unit itself is expected to ship in the spring of 2020.
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13 Comments
Make one for my crotch and you've got a sale.
I'd definitely get this for hot bike rides in Phoenix.
I’m in. Guess I can pick one up in Tokyo during next year’s Olympics 😎
Only interested in this as it’s Sony... I would be worried about other manufacturers and their choice of stable-or-not battery chemistry being that close to my skin. Ouch!
I don't think this qualifies as air conditioning. AC lowers humidity in addition to providing cool air. This doodad would seem to do neither save whatever cool air might be trapped in one's garments. I'm also wondering what happens to generated heat. I don't read Japanese so the website wasn't much help.