Technology As Fashion Accessory
If you’re not convinced that mobility technology has become intrinsic to our daily lives, this post ought to convince you. Not only do people want any data (i.e. e-mail, music, research, databases, conversations, etc.) anytime they need to have it, anywhere they are, they also want it in style.
Mobility form has now met mobility function.
Apple of course achieved the technology-as-fashion-accessory with its iPod, designing a device for music to be worn and held as an accessory (people want to be seen with an iPod; how many people want to be seen with a calculator?). Coach accessorized the accessory (remember our trip from Vancouver to Seattle when Melissa stopped at Coach?) with a whole series of iPod cases (Melissa’s is faux fur).
And lets not forget Stacy’s hot pink Razr phone.
But now get ready for the new wave in ultimate technology-as-fashion-accessories: designer notebooks.
And why not? The notebook computer is no longer a tool for the traveling executive; every demographic uses one. Kids have them. Great-grandparents have them. There are four in my household.
And just as other “things” from purses to cars communicate something about who we are (which is why I’ll never have a minivan), why shouldn’t the notebook computer?
If you like big bad-ass SUVs, then Hummer has a notebook for you. The shock resistant case can withstand a drop from 10 yards up and can work in extreme temperatures. Hummer makes these laptops sound really cool with statements such as “Designed for the person with superior computing and geospatial positioning information needs.”
I have always said there was a market for geospatial positioning information needs. (Free advice to Hummer marketing: be the first to enter a Wikipedia entry for geospatial positioning information.)
Hummer says “the HUMMER Laptop is a go-anywhere wireless computer to keep you connected while pursuing life’s adventures.” These adventures include having a spot of tea and a scone whilst enjoying the sun at an outdoor cafe, as pictured in this publicity still from the Hummer website.
In all seriousness, this computer has some very cool features like a built-in work light and a rugged handle. But this computer is not just built for function, it is built for style and will appeal to people who love outdoor adventures and, um, big bad-ass SUVs.
For people who think the ultimate computer accessory is a leather laptop bag from Coach, Asus Tek may have the computer line for you. The Asus A6 luxury laptops are bound in leather and sport a more professional look than its ruggedized cousin from Hummer. Just as with cars, luxury comes married to performance. The leather-clad A6 notebook uses the new Intel Centrino Duo chipset, comes with 1GB of memory, 100 GB hard disc and a CD/DVD recordable drive.
Form and function don’t always have to possess right angles in the mobility world, and Dutch computer company Tulip Computers has a new notebook line to prove it.
These handbag shaped computers sport a fabric and leather exterior and truly are a technology-as-fasion-accessory.
If you’re not ready to commit to a brand new computer or spend the extra money for ruggedness, leather or art in order to express your personal sense of technology style, don’t worry, a company called Schtickers may have the solution for you. A glossy sticker — I mean schticker — you can apply over the top of your notebook or iPod.
Of course there have been other notebooks before the haut couture models showcased here to be sure. Acer has had a Ferrari notebook that sports a shiny bright red case with a the Ferrari logo. Alienware created a line of notebooks to appeal to gamers. And there are others.
Some have said that blending fashion with technology is a way for second tier manufacturers to create a differentiation from leaders like Dell, Lenovo, Gateway and HP. I don’t think fashionable high-tech is a fad. I’m certain it’s a trend.
Mobility is a part of our daily lives, so why not customize your technology to fit your personality? We do it with our MP3 players and mobile phones, so why not laptops? Some people will pay $3000 to $5000 for a handbag; is it hard to imagine people won’t pay a little extra money for a sense of style around their computers. No one has to worry too much about designs going out of style either. The computer will likely need to be replaced within three years anyway, just to keep up with the new technology.
The MoPR team wants to hear your thoughts on fashion technology. What do you think of the trend? Have I missed other cool designs? Let us know what you think…
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