For the man who has it all -- electronic jackets

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German chipmaker Infineon and Bavarian clothes firm rosner have presented the latest item for the man who has everything -- an electronic jacket that plays music and connects to a mobile phone.


The "mp3blue" garment features sewn-in Bluetooth wireless technology and an MP3 music player controlled by a textile keyboard on the sleeve, the companies said in a statement.


They said the jacket, which a rosner spokeswoman said would retail for around 600 euros (327 pounds), was aimed at "technologically progressive, fashion-conscious men". It has a Web site, www.mp3blue.de.


The electronic module, containing a rechargeable battery with a lifespan of eight hours, can be removed to clean the jacket, the firms said. The music system doubles as a headset to make and receive phone calls.


"The 'mp3blue' product designed by rosner is the world's first lifestyle jacket that implements the concept of complete integration of electronic functions," Infineon's strategy and emerging business chief, Dieter May, said in the statement on Monday.


"We are looking forward to develop further clothes with integrated electronic solutions," he added.


The global market for so-called smart fabrics and interactive textiles was worth around $300 million last year, according to American technology market research firm Venture Development Corporation.


It estimates that will grow to more than $500 million by 2008, driven by military, security and healthcare applications.


Infineon unveiled its first wearable electronics product -- a similar jacket aimed at snowboarders -- in conjunction with designer sportswear label O'Neill in January.


It has also developed a "smart carpet", which is embedded with microchips and sensors that collect information about what is happening on the carpet's surface.