Kate Spade to release power bank-embedded line of purses

Though wearable technology has been around for years, it has undergone several developments in recent years. Tech companies continually churn out new products and update existing ones to perform several tasks, each of which seems to drain their batteries more quickly than the last. Smart fashion accessories can monitor health rates, serve as pedometers, track activities and show text messages, but battery technology has not kept up. Apple came out with its smart watch earlier this year, and while it appears to be a commercial success, battery life was expected to be less than 24 hours even under ideal conditions.

So it is no surprise that fashion houses have tried to address the problem by embedding charging capability into their products to create fashionable and functional products.

Recently, Kate Spade signed a licensing deal with Everpurse, a tech company that makes handbags with charging capability. The fashion brand would showcase bags in four styles - wristlets, clutches, totes and backpacks - with embedded charging pockets in late 2015. To charge the gadget, the bag is placed on a mat which wirelessly charges the battery inside. The charger is compatible for iPhone models from the iPhone 5 to iPhone 6 Plus and is relatively lightweight. According to Everpurse's founder, a fully charged Everpurse would typically last up to two days.

A startup company in New York launched something similar to the fashion retailer, merging utility and artistry. emPowered released bags with built-in batteries along with various cables that can be connected to a computer or wall adapter for easy charging. The inventory sold out 48 hours after launching, so it is safe to say that there is demand to fill in the market, as there are limited options currently available. Most power banks are heavy and inconvenient to lug around, so this product addresses the problem.

View a comparison table of selected handbag suppliers on GlobalSources.com