Levi Strauss Does High-Tech for the iPod

The fact Levi's have been around for 133 years doesn't mean at all that the company doesn't keep up with the technological trends and blending the two into futuristic products is very important for them.

Still, who would have thought Levi will attend the MacWorld event? After all, what do jeans and iPods have in common? Actually, more than you might think. Those of you who remember Job's keynote when he announced the iPod Nano could link the two items together. At that point, Steve proved the world just how easy it is to store 4 GB of music and photos into the jeans' smallest pocket. Levi started hearing k-ching at that point and that's when a new marketing strategy surfaced.

The RedWire DLX line, due out in August 2006, will be compatible with iPod's plug and play technology. The jeans will also have a joystick in the watch pocket that would allow the wearer to control the audio player without taking it out. A docking cradle will be built into the jeans, making the "iPod bulge" all but invisible when wearing. The jeans will also include a headphone wire retractor to prevent the iPod's headphone cords from tangling inside the pocket.

The jeans are designed to match the iPod's minimalist look, with white leather patch and joystick, bluffed back pockets with hidden stitching, and clean minimalist buttons and rivets. It should cost around $200 a pair.