2. Wearable Storage - The Next Evolution? Continued

The SCOTTeVEST Version 1.0 arrived protectively packaged, and came with a one-page information sheet about Technology Enabled Clothing, and CEO and President Scott E. Jordan and his ideas behind the Technology Enabled Clothing system design. Also attached to the vest was a cleverly designed "Owner's Manual" that looks like a two-sided clothing tag. The Owner's Manual contains SCOTTeVEST marketing information on the front side; the back of the card shows the features of the vest, inside and outside, as well as instructions explaining how to wire or connect devices inside the vest to each other. This information is a plus, since it points out that there is no one "correct" way to connect the devices in the vest; the vest can be customized depending on the capability and compatibility of the wearer's components. The documentation is informative and easy to read.

An item to note: the documentation on both the vest and the included information sheet references a "Patent-Pending Personal Area Network (PAN) System," which is somewhat of a misnomer. True "PAN Technology" is more often associated with Bluetooth devices, which are able to communicate with each other wirelessly. The SCOTTeVEST Version 1.0 does not include any devices, cabling or wiring to permit true PAN Technology, and the documentation might initially cause purchasers of the SCOTTeVEST to think that the vest as purchased is either wired or PAN Technology-enabled. The SCOTTeVEST Version 1.0 permits networking capability among handheld electronic devices that can be wired together inside the vest, but the devices and the cabling must be purchased separately and installed in the vest by the wearer, and these devices must be compatible and capable of talking to each other.

Now for the specifics of the vest: the SCOTTeVEST is much more attractive than we had envisioned from the Web site. We expected a standard, indoor nylon vest of average quality and make, with ho-hum features. After all, it's a vest - how exciting could it be? Fortunately, we were pleasantly surprised when the vest arrived! This is a good-looking article of clothing that will appeal to both men and women. The SCOTTeVEST is a zip-up-the-front, jacket-style vest, with more innovative storage options than we have ever seen in anything wearable. This vest may be the geek's equivalent of the ultimate fishing tackle vest!

With ten easily accessible pockets on the outside of the vest, there is plenty of storage space for equipment and gadgets. Here you see a picture of the vest open on one side, and closed on the other.

As you can see, the front outside of the vest has ten (10!) easily accessible pockets (eight regular pockets and two subdivided velcro ones), all with zippers and tabs to help keep valuable electronics where they belong. The vest is fashioned with side vents and a stand-up collar, with an average-sized, comfortable cut. The front zipper of the SCOTTeVEST is a two-way zipper made of heavy duty nylon.