This is one of the most “out there” designs that we have seen – yes, the Honor V Purse is indeed intended to be carried as a purse. There are even fashionable, interchange straps and chains. This is just a concept device for now, but the project has some real world elements that we’ll get to in a moment. And don’t let the kookiness fool you, this is actually a very advanced device. It is outward foldable and measures just 9mm thick when closed – thinner than the Magic V2 and even some bar phones.
Honor calls this a “phy-digital fashion
statement”. It combines physical designs (the straps) with lively and
interactive Always On Display styles. The company tapped top talent to design
those AOD styles: Burberry menswear design director Bram Van Diepen,
contemporary artist Yunuene Esparza, dean of the China Academy of Art
International College Yuan Youmin and interdisciplinary artist Xiao Hui Wang. The
goal is that with interchangeable straps and a variety of AOD designs (which
are visible on both sides since this is an outward foldable), you can match the
Honor V Purse to any outfit you wear, thus reducing your reliance on fast
fashion.
Did we mention that the V Purse is a green
design too? It is made from sustainably sourced materials including vegan leather
for the straps. This concept wants to push the fashion industry towards
embracing new technologies “in order to encourage consumers to buy less, and
use for longer”.
Alas it is just a concept, so don’t ask
when you can buy one. But Honor is planning on opening up the platform for the
AOD designs, which will allow developers and designers around the world create
custom looks. The platform allows the AOD to react to the user and the
environment as it tracks touches and has access to the ambient light sensor and
the accelerometer. We don’t know what the future holds for the V Purse, but its
story isn’t over yet.
Honor didn’t provide many details about
the hardware, since this isn’t intended for mass production. It did mention
that it created a hinge that can withstand 400,000 fold cycles. That’s
interesting as most of the development on foldable hinges has been focused on
the inward folding style. Is a purse phone too weird? Modern smartphones
already act as wallets, can double as your house and car keys and can even
securely store your documents. Maybe it’s not that crazy and we always
appreciate when a company thinks outside the box.
