Google and Levi's launch high-tech 'smart' jacket that controls your phone - but there's just one problem

This high-tech jacket co-engineered by Google and Levi's is being hailed as the future of smart clothing.

The smart-looking $350 (£260) denim jacket features special "Jacquard" thread technology woven into the cuff that connects to your smartphone through a small tag.

You can tap or swipe on the sleeve to perform various functions on your phone - such as skipping music tracks.

"With Jacquard technology, you can perform common digital tasks — like starting or stopping music, getting directions or reading incoming text messages—by simply swiping or tapping the jacket sleeve," wrote Dr. Ivan Poupyrev, an engineering director at Google.

There's just one problem.

The jacket can only be washed (once the smart tag has been removed) up to ten times. That's it: 10 times before the tech starts to get a bit wonky.

According to a support page, the jacket "is designed to withstand up to 10 washes with the Jacquard snap tag removed but your experience may vary by usage and wash conditions.

"It’s ok to tumble dry the jacket on low heat (without the snap tag) but air drying is preferred. Do not iron the left cuff of the jacket. Do not dry-clean the jacket."

Having a limit amount of times you can wash the jacket might make you think twice before pulling it on to go cycling - which is what the design team appears to have created it for.

The jacket goes on sale in the US this week online at Google's store and in selected Levi's outlets - it's not clear yet whether the two companies will be bringing the high-tech garment to the UK.