Grapevine
“Are you OK?”
“Of course I am.”
“Well, you seemed to be having a good time tonight but maybe you had one too many drinks.”
“I’m fine. I know my limits. I can handle my alcohol.”
“But you really don’t seem fine. I’d hate to see you get stopped by a police officer–or worse.”
“Stop pestering me. I’m leaving. Good night.”
This conversation, or one similar to it, has likely taken place in each of our lives. Perhaps on the giving end or maybe even the receiving end.
How do we convince a friend or relative (or ourselves) that a subjective opinion of one’s state of sobriety is often tainted by the very beverage that’s been consumed?
One means is to utilize an objective test, one that cannot be ignored or disregarded by an alcohol-induced brain fog. Like those breathalyzer instruments used by law enforcement officials.
Driving under the influence of alcohol has been a serious problem in society for generations. Today, in spite of awareness campaigns, public service announcements and highly punitive laws, drunk driving accidents and deaths are still at unacceptable levels. Multiple efforts have been undertaken to create a “consumer” breathalyzer test that would be accepted as a socially responsible device that is convenient but non-compromising to those “under the influence.”
Enter enterprising 21st century techies seeking to solve the problems facing the modern world. The answer to all of our needs, real or perceived, is summed up in the ubiquitous phrase “there’s an app for that.”
Enter the breathalyzer app, from a young entrepreneur intent on creatively solving one of society’s persistent problems. Its marketing pitch: why wait for a police officer to tell you you’re over the legal blood-alcohol level, when your smartphone can tell you the same thing at any time.
The new app–dubbed the Floome–is an ingenious combination of software and hardware. The company describes its soon to be released product (pre-orders at $69) as “a portable, refined, high-accuracy smartphone breathalyzer that will help you make the right choice after a drink.”
Here’s how it works. A hand-held device fits conveniently in a glove compartment, jacket, pocket or purse. It has a mouthpiece for blowing into. The other end of the device plugs into the headphone jack of any smartphone. Next, download the app. When the need arises, blow into the device. The app analyzes and displays your blood-alcohol level. You can’t quibble with science–or an app. The company claims the Floome has the same precision as professional analyzers.
But the beauty of the Floome doesn’t end there. Just as with many other apps, its creators have jammed in every possible feature you could possibly want, whether or not you’ll ever use them. The app will call a cab if you ask it. You can generate a picture of your results to share with concerned parents, family and friends. You can generate a graph that shows a history of previous tests. It has a lifetime battery, or 25,000 tests, whichever comes first.
My favorite feature is that the Floome builds a data base of your vitals and metabolism with each successive use. Using this data, it will estimate your recovery time to achieve a legal blood-alcohol level. It even has a programmable alarm to remind you to check your declining blood-alcohol level, if you’re not able to remember to manually check it yourself.
The next time that sensitive moment arrives (“I’m OK, I can handle my alcohol.”), just whip out your smartphone for an on-the-spot experience with the newest cool app.
Will this new app help address a serious social problem? It has the features and convenience without being confrontational. Let’s hope it becomes socially acceptable.
Now if there were only an app to stop texting while driving. Oh wait, there is one–the off button on your smartphone.
Nick Antonaccio is a 35 year Pleasantville resident. For over 15 years he has conducted numerous wine tastings and lectures. He also offers personalized wine tastings and wine travel services. Nick’s credo: continuous experimenting results in instinctive behavior. You can reach him at nantonaccio@theexaminernews.com or on Twitter @sharingwine.
