Here's a new take on wearable technology. A UK firm called Eleksen has developed something they call "electronics fabric". What is it exactly? Well electronic fabric is essentially carbon-embedded nylon sandwiched between layers of nylon mesh. When you pass a small amount of charge through this material, it can recognize touch, location, pressure, and direction/path of the stroke. Connect this material to a processor which is then connected to a device, and you will have fabric that can essentially be used to control devices.

An example of this is the currently shipping Kemp Ski Jacket which uses Elekson's Electronica Fabric materials. The fibers are placed in the jacket arm where an electronic fiber tether runs up the sleeve to the breast pocket where an Apple iPod is stored. Touch information on the jacket arm is then interpreted by a microcontroller which then controls the Apple iPod.

The electronics fiber is apparently also washable (assuming you remove the microcontroller of course) and can be used in a variety of other applications. Check out PC Magazine for more information on the fiber.