Apple and Issey Miyake launch iPhone Pocket, a $230 pouch for your smartphone

Apple, in collaboration with designer Issey Miyake, has unveiled a new “limited edition” accessory called the iPhone Pocket.

Inspired by the idea of a piece of cloth, the carrying pouch can comfortably hold any iPhone along with other small, everyday essentials.

Crafted in Japan and designed by Issey Miyake Design Studio, which also made the iconic black turtlenecks worn by Steve Jobs, Apple says its new fashion accessory has a 3D knitted construction and  features a ribbed open structure with the qualities of the original pleats.

The iPhone Pocket can be used as a sling bag over the shoulder or on the wrist, and you can also attach it to handbags.

Available in both short and long strap versions, it is compatible with the iPhone 8 or later models and can also accommodate AirPods.

While the short strap is available in eight muted colours: lemon, mandarin, purple, pink, peacock, sapphire, cinnamon, and black, the long strap comes in sapphire, cinnamon and black.

In case you were wondering, the short strap is priced at $149.95, whereas the long strap can be purchased for $229.95, which roughly translates to Rs 13,300 and Rs 20,400, respectively.

This isn’t the first time Apple has launched a weird and expensive accessory for its products. In November of 2004, Apple unveiled iPod Socks, a set of multi-coloured cotton knit socks for protecting iPods during travel.

A few years ago, the tech giant unveiled a small piece of off-white microfiber cloth called the “Apple Polishing Cloth”, which currently sells for somewhere around Rs 1,700.