Like most prototypes, the the SWAN (System for Wearable Audio Navigation) is pretty bulky in its current form, with a laptop, GPS, inertial sensors, pedometer, RFID tags, RF sensors, a compass, and other gear all stuffed into a backpack, although they're apparently already working on a smaller version.

ENGADGET: SWAN: System for Wearable Audio Navigation

For gamers on the move, the three compartment U.S. ArmyTM Universal Gaming Backpack for all major game consoles will keep things organized and protected, and comes in a black army-camo design.

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As the young man (played by Emile Hirsch) travels about, he attracts the interest of a South Dakota wheat farmer (Vince Vaughn, playing it straight), an aging hippie (Catherine Keener), and a retired Army man living on the edge of the California desert (Hal Holbrook), all of whom ask him to put down his backpack and stay.

NEWYORKER: Into the Wild

The PR3, PR4 and PR5 all had wireless capabilities, but it took a backpack to lug around the necessary tech.

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When she reaches the bags with the life jackets, Verna fumbles with her shoelaces until all eyes are elsewhere and she can cram an extra life jacket into her backpack.

NEWYORKER: Stone Mattress