Touchscreen Gloves that Work
Agloves warm hands and enable texting on capacitive touchscreens (Agloves image)
So I’m out touring a town in temperatures more suited for polar bears than bicyclists. I’ve been putting off checking my handheld for an important expected e-mail because I don’t want to remove my gloves. Within seconds of exposure, soon after I swipe and begin tapping on the touchscreen, frostbite sets into my personal digits. Or so it feels.
But no longer, with the discovery of Agloves. I’m now using them as gloves in chilly places and as liners in downright cold climates. Simply said, or typed, these winter touchscreen gloves live up to their advertised claims. I’m giving them a hand, and two thumbs up.
Agloves make it easy to use smartphones on cold days
Agloves work on capacitive screens common in today’s smartphones, e-readers and other handheld devices. They also work on laptop computer and netbook touchpads. The gloves increase fingertip conductivity as well as reduce those unsightly screen smudges. The stretchy gloves have a comfortably snug cuff, essential for blocking chilly breezes. The original style’s silver-nylon combination traps heat without adding bulk. Surprisingly, my tap-typing accuracy was not reduced a bit.
Boulder, Colorado mother-daughter entrepreneurs Jennifer and Jean Spencer began producing them in 2010, quickly snagging a “Best of CES” award at the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas. The company recently begun expanded sales to the European Union.
Agloves now in bamboo for warmth and acu-texting on the go
Agloves now come in three styles, with retail prices starting at $17.99. The newest is a bamboo and silver-coated nylon for use in warmer weather, or as a glove liner. Offered in a soft white color, they can be used comfortably indoors as well. All of the styles are washable, and silver and bamboo have the added benefit of being antimicrobial – natural-born germ-killers. They’re designed for travelers, outdoor sports buffs, hikers, bikers and, considering the warmth and anti-smudge benefits, anyone with a capacitive screen gadget.
How do Agloves work? Capacitive touchscreens are not affected by heat but instead react to natural bioelectricity in your skin. Trace moisture, salts and oils on your skin enable electrons “communicate” with the device. When something non-conductive comes between you and your device, such as regular gloves, the capacitive device won’t work. Sure, you could carry a stylus, but that’s just one more thing to fumble for when in cold climates or anytime you’re in transit.
Agloves harnesses the body’s natural bio-electricity from the surface of the hand via the silver – silver being the most conductive element – knitted throughout the glove. The silver is what traps the heat created by your hands within the glove.
Very cool technology. Or rather, very warm.
