At the recent Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) consumer electronics fair in Berlin, Philips displayed prototypes of photonic textiles, which turn fabrics into intelligent displays. Researchers have managed to integrate flexible arrays of multicoloured LEDs (light-emitting diodes) into fabric without compromising the softness of the cloth.

Photonic textiles can also be made interactive. Philips has achieved interactivity by incorporating sensors, such as orientation and pressure sensors, and communication devices, such as Bluetooth and GSM, into the fabric. "You can SMS your pillow," say Philips officials.

Although the technology has been developed only recently, Philips has made immense progress in fully integrating photonic textiles - also known as Lumalive - into garments, as demonstrated on jackets worn by Philips's hostesses at the fair.

These first-generation jackets are ready for commercialisation by companies, particularly those in the promotional industry looking for a new, high-impact medium, Philips said. Interested parties could use the technology to transform their event and enhance their visitors' experiences.

The latest advances in the application of electronics in textiles reflect the expansion "beyond entertainment" of the consumer electronics industry as envisioned by Rudy Provoost, the CEO of Philips Consumer Electronics.

In his keynote speech to the IFA on September 1, Provoost said the industry was about to enter a new convergence era, which centred on consumers and offered emerging opportunities that extended beyond entertainment, such as in the health and wellbeing sector.

"In the future, we are increasingly likely to have portable, even wearable electronics devices that offer feedback on consumers' everyday wellbeing so that they can learn to relax more, sleep better and lead better lifestyles," he said.

At the IFA, Philips also showcased several other innovative market-ready concepts and prototypes, including:-

l The Entertaible: This is being developed by Philips as a social gaming device, meant to be installed in restaurants, bars, hotels or fast-food chains to get patrons together. The table has a 32-inch, horizontal, touch-sensitive LDC screen at its centre, which can detect up to 45 separate objects, whether fingers or game pieces, on its interface. It can be used for video games and as a board game with physical pieces, which makes playing seem a little more exciting.

Philips plans to trial the Entertaible at selected locations at the end of this year. Its earlier demonstration at Las Vegas received a warm welcome.

l AmBX: This enables multiple devices in a room to work in harmony to deliver new ways of enjoying entertainment - ambient lighting, sound, vibration, air motion and other effects. It takes what are pretty much virtual activities, such as games, DVDs and music, and turns them into far more tangible experiences.

l VOIP841 telephone: Launching this month, it is the world's first Skype DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Communications) phone that works without a PC. It is designed specifically for users who would like to enjoy the benefits of Skype (free calls over the Internet) from anywhere in the house without needing to turn on their PC.

The VOIP841 is also a dual phone that takes advantage of both traditional and Internet Protocol networks so that users can make regular landline calls as well as calls over the Internet. Users can also see which of their Skype contacts are online via their handset, make unlimited, free calls through Skype software to other Skype users and make inexpensive calls to regular or mobile phones via SkypeOut.

l Personal Nutrition Coach: The Internet-based coach provides users with key insights into health aspects of their food intake and motivates them to adopt optimal eating patterns. Not only acting as a nutrition monitor, the coach also functions as an interactive trainer, recommending eating and exercise strategies that help users to meet their objectives. It also includes educational Web pages, diet-related questionnaires and useful food recipes.

Philips has already started a three-month trial of the Personal Nutrition Coach in three restaurants in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

Pichaya Changsorn

The Nation

Berlin