Apple, Issey Miyake Announce New ‘iPhone pocket’
In a surprise announcement, Apple on Tuesday unveiled a new iPhone accessory: the iPhone Pocket. The limited edition product is the result of a collaboration with Japanese design brand Issey Miyake. Apple says iPhone Pocket “features a singular 3D-knitted construction designed to fit any iPhone,” akin to Vision Pro’s Solo and Dual Knit Bands.
A “short strap” iPhone Pocket costs $150, while a “long strap” is $230. They’ll be available online and in select Apple Stores starting this Friday, according to Apple.
“iPhone Pocket features a ribbed open structure with the qualities of the original pleats by Issey Miyake,” Apple said of its newfound accessory for the iPhone. “Born from the idea of creating an additional pocket, its understated design fully encloses iPhone, expanding to fit more of a user’s everyday items. When stretched, the open textile subtly reveals its contents and allows users to peek at their iPhone display. iPhone Pocket can be worn in a variety of ways—handheld, tied onto bags, or worn directly on the body. Featuring a playful color palette, the short strap design is available in eight colors, and the long strap design in three colors.”
As John Voorhees rightly notes, the advent of iPhone Pocket immediately conjures memories of Apple’s iPod Socks with their similarities in both conceit and design. The same goes for the iPhone Crossbody Strap. In fact, the latter proved to be one of the most fascinating bits from September’s iPhone 17 event; I got to play with one in the hands-on area following the presentation, and it occurred to me the accessory might prove useful for accessibility for someone who, like me, oftentimes travels with my blind cane in tow. Apple included a Crossbody Strap (in black) in my iPhone 17 review kit.
At a high level, I’m curious about iPhone Pocket because of—what else?—accessibility, obviously. iPhone accessories—or Apple Watch bands or Vision Pro straps, for that matter—are prime examples of the notion that hardware accessibility matters just as much as software accessibility. To wit, having an Apple Watch does no good if a disabled person can’t reliably get it on (and off) their wrist. Likewise, what good is there in getting iPhone Pocket if one struggles to use it? I often say accessibility lies everywhere, and things like hand-eye coordination and fine-motor skills are crucial considerations when someone contemplates accessories. Is iPhone Pocket accessible? It’s a valid question, something that also reminds why adaptive clothing exists. Snaps and/or Velcro can be more accessible fasteners to certain people than, say, traditional buttons or zippers. So it goes for iPhone accessories… as a disabled person, it’s only natural to question the utility of something like iPhone Pocket when something ostensibly simple and straightforward can be confounding and complex.
