Just in time for the holiday cheer season comes the Android release of the BACtrack Mobile Breathalyzer app. Together with the BACtrack device, the app records your blood alcohol content and warns you if you've been, ahem, overserved. Sometimes, especially during the holidays, the Quantified Self — the popular movement in which you track your activities using gadgets like a Fitbit — transforms into the Inebriated Self. When that happens, it’s time to blow into a small gadget that analyzes your breath for its Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). The device, which looks as if it were designed to light electronic cigarettes, is called the BACtrack Mobile Breathalyzer ($150). Via Bluetooth, BACtrack connects to its free namesake app on your iOS device. An Android app was recently released as well. After initiating the connection, the app gives you a countdown timer. When the time is up, blow into the BACtrack device—and trust me, you need to blow as hard as possible. Within a few seconds, the app will give you a BAC reading as well as an interpretation of the BAC number. For example, on a recent night out, I had two cocktails with dinner, strictly in the spirit of research. I waited for 15 minutes after drinking and eating, which is what the app recommends. Then I went to the restroom and blew into the Breathalyzer. (I don’t recommend using the BACtrack in public, unless looking like a drunk nerd is your style). On this occasion, I received a reading of 0.09, which meant my “judgment is impaired and motor skills debilitated.” It’s also above the 0.08 BAC limit in California, where I live, though the app didn’t tell me that. Rather than, say, using GPS to determine your location and the state’s BAC limit, the BACtrack app simply tries to discourage anyone from driving with even a 0.01 reading. “It is unsafe to drive at any intoxication level,” a reminder states. “While you are under the legal driving limit, you can still be arrested for DUI at (the 0.01) level.” I understand and appreciate BACtrack’s intent — you don’t want to inadvertently encourage someone to get behind the wheel because they’re still under the state’s legal BAC limit. At the same time, if the app and device’s ultimate purpose is to discourage anyone who’s had a drink from driving, will people pay $150 for that? More to the point, I suspect the $150 price tag will deter many casual drinkers from using the BACtrack’s Mobile Breathalyzer. That’s too bad, because knowing your BAC in real-time could help save lives—or at least prevent an unfortunate DUI arrest. Ultimately, if you’re into the Quantified Self movement and want to exercise caution when drinking, I think the device is worth the investment. The app tracks your drinking habits by location, date and time, type of drink, and other criteria. If you’re feeling bold (or boozy), you can even share your BAC results via Facebook or Twitter. But in my opinion, sharing BAC feels like TMI. Related content brandpost Sponsored by Huawei Beyond gigabit: the need for 10 Gbps in business networks Interview with Liu Jianning, Vice President of Huawei's Data Communication Marketing & Solutions Sales Dept By CIO Online Staff Dec 04, 2023 9 mins Cloud Architecture Networking brandpost Sponsored by HPE Aruba Networking Bringing the data processing unit (DPU) revolution to your data center By Mark Berly, CTO Data Center Networking, HPE Aruba Networking Dec 04, 2023 4 mins Data Center brandpost Sponsored by SAP What goes well with Viña Concha y Toro wines? Meat, fish, poultry, and SAP Viña Concha y Toro, a wine producer that distributes to more than 140 countries worldwide, paired its operation with the SAP Business Technology Platform to enhance its operation and product. By Tom Caldecott, SAP Contributor Dec 04, 2023 4 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Sponsored by Azul How to maximize ROI by choosing the right Java partner for your organization Choosing the right Java provider is a critical decision that can have a significant impact on your organization’s success. By asking the right questions and considering the total cost of ownership, you can ensure that you choose the best Java p By Scott Sellers Dec 04, 2023 5 mins Application Management Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe