Gadget accessories you can wear

Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Wearable technology becoming part of fashion trends
At New York?s Fashion Week, designers amped up their tech presence as models walked the runway with wearable devices.

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- With Apple's unveiling of the iWatch, it's clear that today's technology is wearable. Now it can also be fashionable.

Some women want their tech gadgets to be a part of their style, not interfere with it. Designers are getting on board to make that happen.

"A lot of women are carrying ugly chargers and extra batteries, and that's really cumbersome, takes up a lot of space, and it's hard to manage," said image artist Sarah Shah.

Shah says now women can plug into their purses.

"The Mighty Purse conceals a charger inside a clutch-sized bag, so you can basically put your purse inside the bag, and it's charging," Shah said. "My phone actually fits with the case on in the bag."

The Mighty Purse sells adapters separately so that it is able to work with a variety of phones.

"The Everpurse is a clutch-sized bag, and it has a little charging doc inside the bag, so all you have to do is slip your cell phone inside, and it's charging," Shah said.

The rechargeable bag comes with a portable dock.

We know the Apple iWatch won't be available until next year, but Samsung beat Apple to market with the metallic Gear 2 Smartwatch.

"It's a camera, you can take pictures right there. You can check your email. Your can check your text messages," Shah said.

The smart watch is even a fitness tracker. MisFit Shine gives tracking devices a feminine twist. It can be worn in a bracelet or the tracker pops into a necklace for a more fashionable look. While working out, you can listen to music in style.

"Frends makes these incredible head phones," Shah said.

With a simple twist, the caps are interchangeable. While a bunch of new gadgets can be overwhelming, Shah assures that they're user friendly.

"I'm 70s, 80s kid. So, for me, it's great that this technology to help ease my day and make things better for me," Shah said.

There are handbags that can charge cell phones, watches that link to email, fitness trackers that are concealed in jewelry and more.

Mighty Purse - Handbag that charges your cell phone or tablet

- Charger is concealed in a clutch-size purse

- It's easy to use - charge it up from any USB plug (on your computer or wall plug)

- Then charge any cell phone or tablet with a mini-usb connection while you are on the go.

- Bag is available from the Houstonian Hotel sports shop or the Mighty Purse website

- Bag with charger starting from $85, iPhone adapter is extra

EverPURSE - Handbag that charges your iPhone 5/5s/5c or Samsung Galaxy S4 phone.

- Charger is concealed in a clutch-size purse

- No cords, connectors or adapters

- You must get the right bag for your phone

- Bag and charging mat: $249

Samsung Galaxy "Watch" - Samsung Galaxy Gea2

- "Watch" syncs with Samsung galaxy phones and tablets.

- This is so convenient. If your cell phone is on mute, you will see the notification on the watch face.

- You have your cell phone, camera, text messages and emails all on your wrist.

- $199.99 from your cell phone carrier, Samsung or Best Buy

MisFit Shine - Fitness Tracker

- Wear with a clip, leather band, sport band, or necklace

- Waterproof to 50 meters, so you can swim or boat with it.

- Easy to connect and use. Bluetooth sync to an app on your smartphone

- $99.99, Best Buy, Apple Stores and misfitwearables.com

- Necklace $79.99

Frends Headphones - Headphones with mic http://shop.nordstrom.com/sr/frends

- Beautiful headphones with interchangeable caps to coordinate with your style. (caps designed by Rebecca Minkoff and Bauble Bar)

- Pretty enough to wear around your neck as jewelry

- Padded earphones are comfortable to wear with earrings

- Bauble bar rose gold headphones and matching earrings $175 from Nordstrom

- Headphones $200, extra caps $50

Netatmo June Sun Exposure Bracelet

- UV sensor concealed in a bracelet.

- Connects to a smartphone app that tracks your exposure and recommends the right sun protection for you.

- $99 from netatmo

Tech Gloves - J. Jill Fairaisle Smart Gloves with Tech Touch,

- Tech gloves now look like regular gloves.

- The tech-touch is integrated into the gloves, so they look like noremal gloves, but work with your touch-screen devices.

- Available from J. Jill in mid October $29 JJill.com