After debuting on Levi’s Commuter Trucker Jacket and the Yves Saint Laurent Cit-E backpack, Google’s Jacquard touch-sensitive fabric technology is now embedded in Samsonite’s Konnect-i backpacks. Swipes and taps on the left strap—customizable through the Jacquard app—control smart functions like navigation and music controls.
To activate the feature, slot a Jacquard tag into a nook woven into the left strap and pair it to your smartphone via a micro USB cable. You can program gestures to respond to call and text notifications, selfies, and even navigate around town.
Powered by Jacquard by Google
Samsonite’s new backpack with Jacquard lets you control a wide range of features without taking your phone out. The left strap has a series of smart fibers that you can swipe or tap to perform actions like adjusting. Your music, handling calls and texts, hearing your GPS directions, or triggering the Google Assistant.
To use Jacquard, you pair your smartphone via Bluetooth to a small micro USB-powered Jacquard tag that slots in the left strap. Then you can define what a brush-up, down, double-tap or cover gesture does through the Jacquard app for Android or iOS. Abilities include delivering call and text notifications, launching the Google Assistant, listening to music, navigating using GPS, taking selfies, or placing a pin on Google Maps.
The LED on the left strap lights up based on the alerts you’ve set. It’s a neat idea, but I can see it being more useful on a wearable with a larger screen and better capabilities. That being said, the Konnect-i is a pretty well-made and thoughtfully designed smart backpack, especially since it has a large padded laptop compartment that can hold up to 15.6-inch laptops.
Designed to make your everyday journey smarter
Google’s Jacquard technology first appeared on Levi’s Commuter Trucker jacket and now it has arrived at Samsonite, with a touch-sensitive backpack that lets you control smart functions like navigation and music with a swipe or tap on its left strap. The Konnect-i Slim Backpack and Standard Backpack both have a module slotted in a nook woven into the shoulder strap that responds to swipes or taps thanks to Jacquard sensors. You can configure what actions you want it to perform through the Jacquard app.
The gestures you can set up include music actions, such as playing, pausing, and skipping songs; communication, such as receiving calls or messages; and navigation through functions including estimating arrival times, directions, and dropped pins. The LEDs on the strap can also illuminate to alert you to certain notifications, such as a call or text message or if your Uber has arrived.
To get started, download the free Jacquard app and follow the onboarding instructions. Next, slide the Tag into a nest in the base of the left shoulder strap and click it into place with haptic feedback.
Customizable touch gestures
The Konnect-i backpack features a Jacquard, which allows you to control your phone without having to remove it from the bag. Simply brush up or down on the left strap and double tap to activate touch gestures that allow you to control your music, receive calls and text messages, and navigate with Google Assistant.
The backpack uses a small rechargeable Jacquard module that slots in a nook on the left strap and connects via Bluetooth to your smartphone. The module then responds to your gestures, which you can customize in the Jacquard app, such as delivering call and text notifications, taking a selfie, controlling your music, and navigating with Google Assistant.
The Konnect-i is available in a Slim and Standard version, both of which feature a 15.6-inch padded laptop compartment and plenty of other useful pockets for storing things like a water bottle, lunch box, Nintendo Switch, or headset. Both versions are crafted from black polyester water-repellent and easy-care fabric, with both featuring a reflective trimming in a matte silver tone. The bag is priced at $199 for the Slim and $219 for the Standard, both of which you can purchase on Samsonite’s online store.
Easy music control
Google’s Jacquard technology, first introduced in 2017 on Levi’s Commuter Trucker jacket and Saint Laurent Cit-E backpacks, is now being used by Samsonite in its smart Konnect-i backpack. It works by weaving touch-sensitive fibers into the left strap of the bag. When you swipe or tap the strap, your phone, and other devices connect through Bluetooth to send commands. You can customize what actions you want to perform through the Jacquard app.
Among the many useful functions that can be executed with a simple gesture, Konnect-i allows you to pause and skip songs. It also enables you to answer your phone’s calls, hear messages and navigate. It’s particularly useful when traveling, as it’s easier to use than whipping out your smartphone in a crowded subway or rush-hour taxi.
To set up the Konnect-i, you need to slot a small micro-USB Bluetooth puck into a module that snaps into one of the straps on the left shoulder of the backpack. The dongle can be charged in a special nook on the strap. It also lets you control your phone’s camera, take a selfie and ask Google Assistant questions.
Easy navigation
The Samsonite Konnect-i is a smart backpack with Jacquard by Google that lets you control your phone in a hands-free way. The Jacquard feature on the Konnect-i allows you to receive call and text notifications, take a selfie or control your music with simple gestures. The Konnect-i also includes a built-in LED that lights up when you get certain alerts. You can customize what gestures trigger which actions using the Jacquard app.
This new Backpack technology is embedded in the left strap of the backpack and is powered by a small rechargeable Jacquard tag housed in a slot at the bottom of the strap. The tag connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and can be programmed in the Jacquard app to enable different Abilities like answering calls, hearing text messages, or navigating with Google Maps.
The Jacquard technology in the strap is activated when you brush up, brush down or double-tap on it. The various Abilities are useful when you don’t want to use your phone or can’t easily access it. It can be used to take a selfie or when you’re waiting for a rideshare service.
