More wearable electronics: the ‘FAT CONTROLLER’ Snow Glove

O’Neill Europe recently announced the latest addition to the H.2 Series range of wearable electronics with the arrival of the ‘Fat Controller’, a snow glove that incorporates a wireless remote control for Apple’s iPod MP3 players. A limited number of the new gloves will be distributed throughout Europe this coming winter at a retail price of €139. The ‘Fat Controller’ uses radio frequencies to relay instructions to a module installed on top of the iPod. Tune selection is managed from a small, thumb-controlled joystick woven in to the top of the right-hand glove that mirrors the behavior of the iPod’s scroll wheel. By nudging the joystick to different points of the compass the wearer can play/pause, adjust volume and skip tracks without having to remove the iPod from the inner sanctums of a snowboard jacket.

The glove itself is constructed from a combination of Oxford and stretch nylon and leather. On the interior, soft and comfortable insulation is delivered courtesy of PrimaLoft while the Dryhand lining lives up to its name. The result is a seriously technical snow glove with a water resistance and breathablity rating topping 3000/3000 m2/24hrs

The ‘Fat Controller’ is the latest in a line of the O’Neill H.2 Series wearable electronic snow range for Fall/ Winter 2005/06. Other items in the range include: the world’s first Integrated Solar Backpack with communication and entertainment functionalities, an Entertainment Backpack and the second-generation Communication & Entertainment Jacket (formerly known as the HUB). All products in the O’Neill H2 series have been developed for use in conjunction with Apple’s iPod MP3 player.