It’s one of those cutting-edge innovations that one day could find its way to the promotional products industry.

Sony is looking to launch a new wearable technology device capable of cooling you down on hot days and warming you up on chilly ones.

The Reon Pocket is a smaller-than-a-smartphone temperature controlling device that slips into a tiny pocket located in the center of the upper back on a specially-designed T-shirt.


The Reon Pocket slots into the back pocket of its companion shirt.

Using small electrical currents to absorb or deliver heat, the device can cool local skin temperature by about 23 degrees – from 96.8 Fahrenheit to 73.4 Fahrenheit, or raise local skin temps by 14 degrees. Wearers control the cool-spreading or heat-providing through a companion mobile app. A single charge via USB Type-C lasts approximately 24 hours.



Interestingly, Sony was crowdfunding the device, which costs about $130 with the shirt. As of this writing, the Japan-based technology company was at 104% of its fundraising goal. The Reon Pockets are slated to start shipping in Spring 2020. They’ll initially be available in Japan only, but expansion could come if the product finds success. Certainly, those sweating out the hot and humid summers that typically suffocate much of the U.S. could be interested.


The Reon Pocket can cool or warm the body.

While Reon Pockets and related wearable tech devices aren’t poised to take over the promo products industry tomorrow, such innovations are worth keeping an eye on. Certainly, some of yesterday’s clever longshots have become today’s in-demand products. We could see tech-driven cooling devices like this catching on, especially as global temperatures reportedly continue to rise. The companion shirts, for instance, could be branded with team names (front and back pocket) and worn by athletes at all levels. Wellness programs could feature logoed shirts and other apparel with pockets capable of cradling the cooling gadget. Sure it won’t be tomorrow, but it could be someday.