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Technology

Your Phone Can Now Tell You When You’re Drunk

Mar. 18, 2013 3:24pm

In the past, people had to rely on shaky math based on how many drinks they’d partaken in divided by how many hours they’d been drinking to calculate their blood alcohol content.  Not a bad strategy, but limited in its efficacy for those who really need it, i.e. the really drunk.

Now, a start-up company in California is marketing a device called a “breathometer” that, while not technically an “app,” plugs into your phone and tells you your blood alcohol content when you blow into it.

The handy device connects to the audio jack of most Android and iOS smartphones, and you can either throw it in your bag or hang it on your key chain when you don’t need it.

Breathometer Plugs Into Smartphones, Tells You Blood Alcohol Level

(Photo: Screen Shot/Breathometer)

The Huffington Post summarizes:

Judging by the demonstration in the product’s promo video [below], part of the display turns red if you’re over the legal limit. If you blow green, you’re good to go. This offers a notable improvement over other handhelds, whose displays might be hard to read if you’ve been drinking.

The app also keeps a record of a user’s blood-alcohol content. In future iterations, the company hopes to add features like push-button cab service.

Although the $20 “early bird” deal has sold out, there is still a $50 option. At that price point, the Breathometer is slightly more costly than other handheld breathalyzers.

But, as Gizmodo’s Leslie Horn noted, “It’s a whole lot cheaper than a DUI.”

It won’t actually say “go home, you’re drunk,” like Cult of Mac joked, but that’s the idea.

Watch the sleek advertisement for the “breathometer,” below:

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Comments (67)

1 2
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on March 19, 2013 at 12:54am

    I don’t need an app to tell me when I’ve had too much alcohol. I have a wife.

    Report this comment

    thegreatcarnac  
  • media-bias-steals-elections
    Posted on March 19, 2013 at 12:49am

    This is obviously a plot of lobbyists to put taxi drivers out of business? Or is this stuff created so Europeans can watch commercials on their television screens coming from America, and not stop laughing?

    If you need one of those, you don’t need to drink? Low information voters, or voters that don’t think? What did you last night? I don’t know, but the taxi sure did stink? Where is my bra, OMG? And where did these Google Glasses come from? Uh oh?

    Report this comment

    media-bias-steals-elections  
  • eagledown
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 10:49pm

    I know when I officially can’t drive; Michelle O’ starts looking hot.

    Report this comment

    eagledown  
  • supermansdad
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 9:58pm

    Here’s an ingenious idea…..

    If you have a drink, 1, one, uno, eins, DON’T DRIVE!!!!!

    If I find one of these devices in a drunk’s possession while I am processing him/her for DUI I will not feel the least bit sad when I impound the car. Come to think of it, I’ve never felt the least bit sad while impounding a drunk idiots car…..

    However, I will be certain to note in my statement that said device was in drunk retards possession, the judge will absolutely L O V E it!!!

    I can’t think it would be fun to have the judge ask….
    “You mean you knew you were drunk and still drove?”

    Report this comment

    supermansdad  
    • sasquatch08
      Posted on March 19, 2013 at 1:09am

      If the device says they’re drunk and they drive, they’re morons. If it tells them they’re good to go and they’re at .08 or .081, they should sue the company.

      Also, you sound like a total jerk, and you’re part of the reason people don’t like cops.

      I can understand not feeling sorry for someone who’s totally trashed out of their mind and still dumb enough to drive, but someone who literally had one too many and blows a .08? You don’t feel sorry, even a bit, for that person who made an honest mistake (obviously not talking about repeat offenders here)? You really feel that 1 beer should cost them tens of thousands of dollars, jail time and very possibly their job, which is probably replaceable these days?

      I’m sure you’ve seen people blitzed at .08, but I’m equally sure you’ve seen people who pass a field test with flying colors up to .1 and above.

      I’m also certain you’re a jerk. If you’re a cop, you’re well aware the DUI system in many states is nothing more than a scam to make money for the state.

      Report this comment

      sasquatch08  
    • supermansdad
      Posted on March 19, 2013 at 9:55pm

      I am a cop, and usually not tooooo jerky. And the reason I suggest a 1-3 drink limit is I have seen the effects first hand. Part of SFST training actually includes drinkers and non-drinkers as test subjects. I have seen, as you said, people well over the 0.08 limit perform near flawlessly on everything except the horizontal gaze nystagmus (eye test). None of the test are perfect, however, they are very accurate when combined.

      And yes, I am a bit of a jerk to have seen a 0.07 (not legally) drunk that couldn’t stand up, yet they wiped out a family, so no, I don’t give many a break. If you think cops are too upity or what ever try a few ride alongs or even become a reserve officer for you local county/city. It will open your mind to things you never knew existed both good and bad.

      Oh, and good luck suing the maker if blow over legal limit. Your BAC actually goes UP for several minutes to even hours later after you stop drinking. Therefore, if you blow immediately after consumption it will read a false high, wait 10mins and give a false low, 30min later after the alcohol has been absorbed through the lining of the stomach it will go back up and continue for some time afterwards. I’ve watched people get drunker in front of me.

      Report this comment

      supermansdad  
    • supermansdad
      Posted on March 19, 2013 at 10:06pm

      As far as a scam? Certainly to a point, especially once you look at many of the nickle and dime add ons: .25cents to this agency, $3 to this fund..etc…. Does not change the fact that a person knowingly took everybody else’s life into their hands and put them at risk. Even without the nickle and dime BS added to the fines and costs, what else should be be done to prevent/reduce the activity? Jail time is a joke! Even I’m not NAZI enough to suggest a 9mm to the ocipital lobe! The next time you think between 2,000 & 10 grand is too much of a fine go to the funeral of a 12yo killed by a drunk driver, then tell me what the fine should be. Or go tell the parents their child was killed by a nearly DUI driver, but we can’t charge them as DUI because they blew a 0.07, or that the suspect was a minor who stole dad’s secret stash and killed his girlfriend but he only blew 0.05 but was such an inexperianced drinker he didn’t know where the limit was….

      I’m gonna go out on a limb and say you have absolutely no legal training, back ground or knowledge. Typical of those who say all cops suck. And even more likely, you got popped for DUI a few years ago and your still pissed….because “you were’nt that drunk…”

      Report this comment

      supermansdad  
  • MarvinMr
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 8:21pm

    I can ALWAYS tell when I’m drunk. I don’t need my cell phone to tell me. This just encourages more 0.07 driving…

    Report this comment

    MarvinMr  
    • supermansdad
      Posted on March 18, 2013 at 10:16pm

      Exactly! And in most states there is a secondary offence of Impaired Driving if they blow .07 or less on the INTOX5000. Basicly, if during the SFST the suspect is unable to stand or perform the tasks they can still be charged.

      I also see these devices being used to see who can get the highest BAC. I’ve seen it done with PBAT machines. Will neither confirm nor deny my involvment……

      Report this comment

      supermansdad  
  • Southernsoul
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 7:04pm

    Remember when you were happy that your cell phone just made a phone call?

    Report this comment

    Southernsoul  
  • GuruMeditation
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 5:55pm

    I know without a phone.

    Report this comment

    GuruMeditation  
  • denkat56
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 5:54pm

    Geeze, we’ve been paying cops to tell us when were drunk. Damn sequester.

    Report this comment

    denkat56  
  • yanki161
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 5:53pm

    But the real question is: When your phone KNOWS you’re drunk, will it disable you from making regrettable calls to your ex?

    Report this comment

    yanki161  
  • rwinestock1
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:55pm

    Being drunk, would you remember or care where you put the thing?

    Report this comment

    rwinestock1  
  • firearm
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:47pm

    “YOUR PHONE CAN NOW TELL YOU WHEN YOU’RE DRUNK”

    So can my wife.

    Report this comment

    firearm  
  • Sargeking
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:45pm

    I may just be spiff balling here but I really don’t need a gadget to tell me I’m drunk. The empty fifth speaks volumes!

    Report this comment

    Sargeking  
  • tightline
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:40pm

    im not as people as some drunk may am i say, cuz the drunker i stand here the longer i get, sir (burp!!)

    Report this comment

    tightline  
  • woodyee
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:40pm

    With reference to the mention of colonoscopies: On a serious note – if the doc offers to perform a Sigmoidoscopy, tell him to forget it, and go for the full-blown colonoscopy. You’ll not only save money; it’s more thorough. Example – my doctor offered a sigmoidoscopy. I said –

    –What’s that?
    “Well, we put a hose up the poop-chute with a small camera in the end of it, and see whats up there.”
    –”All the way?”
    “No. We only go a third of the way. If we find anything, THEN we’ll schedule a colonoscopy – that’s when we go all the way.”
    –”Well, doc, why don’t you just perform the colonoscopy and be done with it?”
    “Well, we could, but…”
    —”…because if I’m going to let you invade me, it’s only going to happen once if I can help it!”
    “If that’s what you want…”
    –”That’s what I want!”

    So, I got the colonoscopy, and the first third (sigmoidoscopy) was clean. The SECOND half had a polyp and I was clean on the third portion. Had I settled for the sigmoidoscopy, who knows what that polyp would have turned into – and they wouldn’t have discovered it until something went wrong, or in 5 -10 years, whenever the doctor thought I should do it again!

    Report this comment

    woodyee  
  • term limits for congress
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:28pm

    I don’t want to know red or green. I want a score!!

    “Hey, occifer. What’d I blow?”

    Report this comment

    term limits for congress  
  • woodyee
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:19pm

    Aw sheeoot! Had this been around just before the dead Ted Kennedy hit the road with Mary Jo…

    …it wouldn’t have mattered one iota…

    Report this comment

    woodyee  
  • MrSunshine
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:03pm

    I’m still waiting for the I-colonospy.

    Report this comment

    MrSunshine  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:01pm

    Great, a type of rerun to those days when bars had those breathalyzers mounted along with the video games. It became a craze for many to see how drunk they could get. In other words, they made things even worse.

    Report this comment

    RJJinGadsden  
    • MrSunshine
      Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:30pm

      Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahaha…. I remember those well….too well….waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy too well. As a matter of fact….I’m surprised I remember anything at all!

      Report this comment

      MrSunshine  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 3:58pm

    First of all, if you have to check how drunk you are, then you shouldn’t be drinking.

    Secondly, Smartphones record enough info about the user that you may want to be wary about things like your alcohol consumption…It might come back to bite ya in the rear. For instance, with all our medical records soon to be going in the cloud (reality check: it will happen) it’s one thing to tell your future doctors that you used to drink in your younger days, it’s another when they have hard evidence. Obamacare if not repealed will not be so forgiving on the hard drinking youths 30~40 years down the road.

    Report this comment

    KickinBack  
  • Vision Harry
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 3:56pm

    I guarantee this has already been “Deemed” unjustifiable for the “Beltway” in DC, and that only the little people will be held accountable.

    Report this comment

    Vision Harry  
    • 762x51
      Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:16pm

      As always.

      Teddy Kennedy got away with murder, literally.

      Report this comment

      762x51  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:20pm

      762X51, Yeah, and Teddy had the help of the Mass State Police bullies because the accident happened on the Maryland side of that bridge. Oh, to be a Kennedy back in the day!

      Report this comment

      RJJinGadsden  
  • ArmedAndReallyPissed
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 3:52pm

    Cell Phones. One of the best and worst devices ever created. I don’t need a Phone to tell me if and when i’m drunk. I’ve had enough practice to know on my own. Cell Phones are becoming nothing more than a Communist Tool to track US, the public. Between Cell Phones, Smart meters and Drones, “we” have no chance to be 100% free. Once the Commie Pig in the Jihad House takes our Guns, it’s over.
    Time to get back to work. I have many ILLEGAL Aliens to provide for with my Tax Dollars.

    Report this comment

    ArmedAndReallyPissed  
  • shorelineliz
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 3:51pm

    I realize it can tell me WHEN I’m drunk but can it signal me when I NEED to start drinking? that would be oh so helpful my little pretty.

    Report this comment

    shorelineliz  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:05pm

      L out friggin L!

      Report this comment

      Exrepublisheep  
    • ArmedAndReallyPissed
      Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:16pm

      Important decisions like that can only be left up to Bloomberg. He’ll be the one to tell us IF and WHEN we can drink.

      Report this comment

      ArmedAndReallyPissed  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:17pm

      LIZ, LOL, I hope that you mean “stop.” Far be it from an all thumbs typist as myself to correct anybody, but that did make me laugh.

      Report this comment

      RJJinGadsden  
    • woodyee
      Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:24pm

      Oh, that’s rich!

      Report this comment

      woodyee  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:30pm

      ARMEDANDREALLYPISSED, I was in and out of the room early in the afternoon, but did catch some things mentioned about Nanny Doomberg’s next round of his prohibitions. He first, wants to stop all in store advertising of tobacco products. I personally have never smoked anything, and have some nasty allergic reactions from the odor, but at the same time, I respect the rights of others to smoke should they decide for themselves. My only caution would be to do so in moderation. The next thing that I heard is that he wants to reduce his citizens access to alcoholic beverages. Apparently, stop some types of stores from carrying these beverages, and what I took to be a reduction of beverage license to certain bars. I bet that NYC is getting more than it feels it deserved for electing this clown for a third time.

      Report this comment

      RJJinGadsden  
  • TheBurningTruth
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 3:49pm

    A couple of years from now when this “app” is popular with the drinking crowd, during the dark of night on holiday weekend, state legislatures will pass a law making it legal to seize the phone in order to prove Blood Alcohol Levels. Sure it will be an unconstitutional search of private property, but since when did that stop our friendly law enforcement officials?

    Most cars built after around 2005 already have “black boxes” in them that record speed, acceleration, braking, air bag deployment and tons of other parameters. The govt is working on having access to that info as well. Isn’t your car private property?

    If you want privacy, buy a cheap throw-away phone that can’t “rat you out”.

    Big Brother always supports all these information collecting devices because it simplifies their “job”.

    Report this comment

    TheBurningTruth  
    • supermansdad
      Posted on March 18, 2013 at 10:07pm

      It is already legal to examine a phone! If the phone is not locked and left unatended it can be looked at, always lock you phone! If the cover pic is of the owner with stolen merchandise (had that one a few months ago) or narcotics, it’s legal. And easiest of all is to sieze the phone and apply for a search warrant.

      No there will not be a blanket phone grab law, they don’t need it. It’s already Constitutional to get a search warrant for the device, why bother with some idiotic law we don’t need and could potentially ruin a case if overturned later?

      It’s too easy: see possible evidence, sieze and apply for warrant. It’s how our system is designed to work. Same with the black box in your car, but since they have been proven to be inaccurate on multiple occasions so they are not trusted as well in court.

      If you will recall that BS plan they tried near the border was nixed by a federal judge.

      Report this comment

      supermansdad  
  • LakeHartwellSailor
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 3:38pm

    My wife bought me a breathalyzer a couple of years ago. We keep it on our boat as a “reality check” before we put the key in the ignition. In my state, the blook alchohol limit on the road is .08; on the water its 1.0. So having that device is great when we have been beached all day and the cooler has been well used. Better to have a fairly good idea where you stand numbers-wise then to guess whether or not you might pass muster if the DNR officers decide to board you for a safety check.

    Report this comment

    LakeHartwellSailor  
    • woodyee
      Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:23pm

      “the blook alchohol limit”…izjush…I donnow…I’n feelin jeshfine…

      Report this comment

      woodyee  
    • MrSunshine
      Posted on March 18, 2013 at 4:33pm

      You better check it right now Lakehart, if it’s actually 1.0 on the water….I’m moving to a houseboat, LOL!!!

      Report this comment

      MrSunshine  
    • supermansdad
      Posted on March 18, 2013 at 10:22pm

      …… You mean 0.10

      At 1.0 you would be dead. Most people pass out well before 0.35 and are comatose by 0.45, tho once, and only once have I ever seen a 0.49, dude was HAMMMEEERRREEEDDD! In fact, we sent him to the hospital, not to jail.

      Report this comment

      supermansdad  
  • neiman1
    Posted on March 18, 2013 at 3:29pm

    Just try to text. That will let you know when your drunk

    Report this comment

    neiman1  
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