Fashion + Facebook = Ping

Look like Lady Gaga, stay updated on Facebook

The basically-impossible-to-trademark Ping is a one-piece number that lets the wearer update her Facebook account through gestures. Put the hood on, pull it down, tie the straps together, undo them, button up, move around, you get the idea. Ping updates the user's Facebook status depending on what the wearer does with the piece of clothing.

A creation of designer Jennifer Darmour, Ping uses components DIY enthusiasts may be familiar with. Everything runs on the Arduino Lilypad platform, with the Lilypad Xbee taking care of wireless connectivity. Ping also notifies the wearer when her Facebook contacts update their own statuses, or send a message, by generating a light tapping sensation through the shoulder piece. To keep everything looking neat and stylish, and help keep the wiring neat, some of the internal circuitry is exposed on the outer layer of clothing, forming geometric patterns.

Looks good, but is the Ping actually useful? The whole point of the project, which has so far produced a prototype concept (read: non-working), is to keep wearers connected to their Facebook and free them from laptops and smartphones. But once you feel light taps on your shoulder, wouldn't you feel compelled to connect to the internet ASAP--with whatever device--to see what the message says?

Ping