Device controlling bags have been around for a long time offering to those who got their hands-on experience with such bags a convenient way to operate the basics on cellphones, iPods and other MP3 player.

The growing number of interactive backpack styles give choices for function and taste. The function of device control on bags is becoming mainstream adding another feature choice next to zippers, headphone cable eyelets, special audio pockets or water bottle compartment on our bags.

This is of course good news for consumer as the days of incredible high premium prices for a audio control function are gone.

UK fashion brand TOG24, already known for making cool looking winter jackets with audio control has some very affordable, techie looking backpacks in their collection like the Martel Music Backpack selling for £29.95 ($44.60)

Remember, using this type of backpack with remote control and headphone port on the shoulder strap not only makes it convenient to quickly change songs, volume or pick up a call, it also gives an additional layer of protection to your precious little devices which can be kept safely inside the bag while operated via the bag.

Looks like Columbia Sportswear designed a complete range of technology enhanced outfit for the 2009/10 winter season.

First we had the heated boots Bugathermo for men and Snow Hottie for women.

Then, Columbia launched the heated jackets Radiance for women and the Refugium Jacket for men to stay comfy warm during outdoor adventures.

The latest soft technology product I found is the Super Charger™ backpack, big and rugged enough to hold your skiing, snowboarding, hiking or climbing needs.

The twist: it includes a complete sound system with water resistant stereo speakers as well as a cool, illuminated soft keypad for audio device control on the shoulder strap.

The integrated amplifier drives the 2 speaker in the shoulder straps which allows you to listen to your action tunes while out and about. The keypad gives control to the audio player from the packs outside, keeping your precious player safely stored inside the pack away from scratches, pumps, rain or snow.

Available in the colors Citrus or Black for $125.- on various online stores or directly via Columbia’s site.

I wonder what will come next from Columbia Sportswear’s techno range.

There are time you don’t want to use earphones or the use of earphone present a higher risk of accident which is the case in areas one has to be aware of his/her surroundings.

UK based Noisebag has jumped on the trend of boom bags and launched a range of Noisebags with integrated stereo speakers in the shoulder strap.

Targeted towards the cycling, walking, skateboarding and similar action/adventure folks, the Noisebags connect to any iPod, MP3 and MP4 player via a 3.5mm audio jack.

The on-bag amplifier, powered by 4 AA batteries, pumps out your tunes while enjoying whatever action your are emerged into.

The Noisebag’s audio design is exceptionally good looking, the speaker integration as well as the pocket for the audio player and the control of the music-amplifier well positioned together in easy reach of the shoulder strop.

Noisebag has to offer two of ‘mid’ and ‘big’ with a color selection of Orange, Pink, Blue and Camo. Available for £29.99 (around $47.40) via their online store.

[via: Shiny Shiny]

Dicota, one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality, exclusive notebook bags unveiled their first technology enabled bag, the Red Dot design award winning BacPac.

This exclusive backpack offers everything one could wish on an urban style bag for all the essentials needed in today’s life: a protective detachable Notebook sleeve with high-class HDF padding (high-density foam) for Notebooks from 14″ to 15.4″ and various compartments to organize USB drives, pens or CDs are well stored in the workstation.

The iPod is simply connected in the specially designed multimedia pocket located on the side of the bag. The earphones and the soft control pad is on the shoulder-strap, easy to reach on operate most of the iPod models and iPhones.

Available at this online store for $223.19, the BacPac offers another smart twist by featuring waterproof zippers around the bag to ensure no water is ever reaching the precious electronics inside the bag.

A good looking option to make sure the delicate electronics stays save while being able to have full control over what to listen on the go with the convenience of not taking out the iPod/iPhone each time to skip a song or turn up/down the volume.

[via Gizmag]

It’s the time of the year when companies release their newest gear for the coming winter season.

Columbia kicks off the Fall/Winter 2009 interactive bag season, at least as far as I could find new bags, with the Super Charger Ski Backpack which includes a Soundtrack Audio System containing an amplifier inside the bag, two water proof speaker and a soft panel audio device control in the shoulder straps.

The Super Charger Ski Backpack works apparently also with Skullcandy audio accessories. It has a Versatile Ski Carrying (VSC) System featuring diagonal or vertical ski carrying straps which allows also to carry a snowboard.

Audio controlling bags have been around for some time now, fortunately the prices came down as well so it is now surprise to see more people opting for such functionality on their bags.

Being myself a heavy user of device controlling bags, I can not often enough underline the convenience of having the basic controls of an audio player at my finger tips, easy to access on the straps, especially when out and around, the usual time one carries a bag.

The additional speakers in the top of the straps are nicely designed, blending into the overall style of the bag and acting not only as cool feature but also a bit as a safety device, allowing to listen to music but still being fully aware of the action around.

As this time is also the ‘Back-to-School’ time you can have the Super Charger Backpack, which comes in the colors Citrus or Black, for $125.00 minus 10% when using the coupon code ‘school10‘ at the checkout on this online shop.

Wed’ze has next to the gorgeous looking Ride and Jump snow boarding jacket with integrated iPod controls another top-gear for snowboarders that allows the easy control of the iPod during the action ride.

The FR 9 Backpack SBS Audio is a top quality and top looking backpack which connects to any iPod to keep it inside safely to change the tunes or volume with gloved hands from the outside.

Another outstanding feature of this backpack is the removable back protection  allowing the adjustment of the backpack to the needs and situation it is used.

Materials used like 600 D fabric, 3D mesh, Ypalon® strap reinforcement, thermoformed polyurethane foam give s sturdy yet flexible enough structure to follow the movement while in action.

A number of compartments for shovel, probe, hydration system ensures there is enough room for all the snowboarders or skiers essentials needed up on the mountains.

We couldn’t find an online shop for this great backpack but we have a link for UK readers which can find a dealer near by. The retail price can be as low as £ 49.95 ($71.22). Too bad this backpack is not available in the US.

The Dreamer Livewire BT backpack is a cool bag for school, office or day trips and most importantly: it works nicely together with iPod and Bluetooth cell-phones giving you easy access to both devices while keeping them safely inside the bags compartments.

Jansport has launched a large selection of interactive bags over the past years, giving lot of choices to consumers.

The Dreamer backpack offers AirCore shoulder straps for wearing comfort, one large main compartment and a sturdy clamshell-opening of the front compartment.

A padded laptop computer sleeve and a quick access cell phone pocket round up this ‘all round’ bag with a total volume of: 2300 cu in / 37.7L

Great is also the price we found, the Dreamer Livewire BT Backpack sells for $69.99 via this online store for example.

A cool bag loaded with hot features like the integrated digital lifestyle management system for a sweet price.

O’Neill‘s H-Division products for the 2008/09 season have been designed to incorporate your iPod into their design.

The Highway 1 iPod Backpack is a cool looking, rugged backpack that will easily carry of the essentials you need to have with you when you’re crossing the snow fields or just catching the bus to University.

With a padded section to keep your laptop protected as well as plenty of pockets and pouches you won’t be struggling for space.

The padded back panel and ergonomic straps ensure that no matter how much or how little you’re carrying you’ll be carrying it in comfort.

The Highway 1 has been designed to fully incorporate your iPod. Featuring a specific pocket for your iPod, the Highway 1 connects to the iPod or iPhone allowing to control the players main functions like volume adjustment, previous/next song via the nicely designed control panel on the backpack’s shoulder strap.

Next to the iPod/iPhone connectivity the Highway 1 iPod Backpack comes with a padded section to keep your laptop protected as well as plenty of pockets and pouches. The padded back panel and ergonomic straps ensure that no matter how much or how little you carry, you will be carrying it in comfort and style.

Available online on various UK stores like this one for £49.00 ($73.25) makes it great value for money as keeping your player safely hidden away while outdoors yet still have full control of what you’re listening too is priceless.

Our contribution to beat the current money shortage is to be on constant lookout for great bargains in the interactive fashion store enabling you to cheer yourself or others up with a unique present.

A hot tip is the iBlaze, a gorgeous looking backpack that has been made around an iPod – not for the iPod.

It showcases a design solution that perfectly integrates technology with textiles. The built-in waterproof soft silicon control panel let you conveniently turn on/off, skip tracks and adjust the volume without having to take out the iPod.

That’s handy especially now during the not so pleasant weather outside when many keep the iPod safely stored in the bag.

A feature I really like and appreciate is the retractable earplug cable that makes the whole wire management so nice, neat and clean – just like iPod.

The prize you have to shell out now for this great iPod backpack is more then 50% less than during the launch. We have seen the iBlaze on this online store for only $76.30 a real bargain in these hard days for money supply.

We haven’t covered for some time iPod ready backpacks but this doesn’t mean there is no news or no choice out there. On the contrary, brands are adding the ubiquitous ‘Made for iPod’ to bags and backpacks on a continuous basis.

It’s no secret that I am a fan of iPod controls on my bags. Having used this convenient function on my backpack (Nike C.O.R.E.) and now on my Voltage Messenger bag since 2006, I do not want to miss these controls on my bag’s shoulder strap ever again.

Great value for money is the High Sierra BackBeat Compu-Backpack with it’s incredible low price tag of just $87.62 as seen by Amazon.

Great value for students or young professional’s money as this iPod-compatible laptop backpack includes a padded sleeve with velcro straps for securing up to 17″ laptops. Deluxe organizer in front pocket for pens, keys, and electronics. Hard EVA shell on front pocket for extra protection.

A bonus is the illuminated controller on the outside of the strap radiating some sparkle to the one-finger control over function like play/pause, rewind, fast-forward, volume up, volume down. The earphone jack is built into the left shoulder strap.

A good looking bag that provides protection to all the necessities of the digital life style including the iPod audio controls at the fingertip.