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A Breathalyzer Cell Phone

Posted by Erik Larkin | Tuesday, July 11, 2006 5:05 AM PT

EDIT: According to a spokesperson, LG does not in fact plan to distribute this phone in the US.

Yep, it's true. LG will soon be selling a cell phone with a built-in Breathalyzer, according to ABC news. You blow on a spot on the phone and it tells you if you're ok to drive. I found out about it by way of a post from Bruce Schneier.

Here's my favorite part: You can configure the phone to not let you call certain people if your blood alchohol is over .08. Drunk-dialing protection.

Comments (14)

That's great for drunk drivers but me?

I don't need it even if I don't need it, I can't drive because of my visual impairement. Have to rely on bus transportation.

Of course I don't drink beers, though. But if I do, and if I feel abducted of drinking beers, then I'll have to have a breathalyzer cell phone. However I don't like beers or wine, so I see no need of a breathalyzer cell phone...

Grayson Peddie
July 10, 2006
1:55 PM PT

MORE USELESS HIGH TECH. I HAVE YET TO MEET A DRUNK WHO FEELS IMPAIRED. GOOD MAYBEEEE, BUT IMPAIRED NEVER.THIS GEM GET THE BLA BLA BLAAAAA AWARD.

j
July 10, 2006
2:36 PM PT

MORE USELESS HIGH TECH. I HAVE YET TO MEET A DRUNK WHO FEELS IMPAIRED. GOOD MAYBEEEE, BUT IMPAIRED NEVER.THIS GEM GET THE BLA BLA BLAAAAA AWARD.

j
July 10, 2006
2:36 PM PT

The result that you get from the Cell phone will never hold up in court. "Honest your Honor, my phone said I could drive!"
Good luck with this..

K
July 10, 2006
2:44 PM PT

Its better then no deffense at all.

Alex A.
July 10, 2006
3:46 PM PT

Posted by j on Monday, July 10, 2006, 02:36 PM (PST)

Why are you writing in all caps? It's yelling and rude.

Grayson Peddie
July 10, 2006
5:37 PM PT

I think that it is a great idea. Just think about not making that one stupid call to someone you would never sleep with, but because you were drunk you decided to go ahead and sleep with someone. Maybe this will cut down on a lot of unwanted pregnancies.

Joyce H,
July 10, 2006
5:54 PM PT

LG has already publicly announced that it is NOT going to releasing the breathalyzer phone in the US market and says it is going to discontinue marketing and selling it outside the US.

ABC News has already printed a correction to this story PC World links to.

Geez? PC World you should do your own reporting and homework before you repeat misinformation.

According to LG it pulled the cell phone when it got wind of the Sharper Image who is being sued for selling a breathalyzer is once marketed as a way to drive safely should you drink.

The San Diego City's Consumer Protection Unit found that the Sharper Image breathalyzer was inaccurate and sued. It said the product was dangerous because someone might drive home legally drunk because the Sharper Image breathalyzer was wrong.

The Sharper Image agreed to pay 1.2 million dollars in restitution and stopped selling the breathalyzer. About two weeks ago LG ? when asked about it?s breathalyzer cell phone for a story on the Sharper Image stated it was discontinuing the product ? period.

Umm pc world .. maybe you were punk?ed by ABC News.. you guys are the journalists.. not me.. shouldn?t you be getting this shit right?

Francis
July 10, 2006
6:16 PM PT

Yep, it's not true?

Anonymous
July 10, 2006
6:23 PM PT

maybe it should read "Yep, it's not true?"

Anonymous
July 10, 2006
6:23 PM PT

this is another good example of the media taking internet BS gossip and reporting it as fact... god help us..

Charlie
July 10, 2006
6:28 PM PT

ouch!

dirk diggler
July 10, 2006
7:15 PM PT

lolz. I laugh at teh internet!!!

Brandon
July 10, 2006
8:09 PM PT

the lawyers win again.

Rob
July 11, 2006
1:01 AM PT