NeoBytes :) is an occasional feature that takes a step back from the big headlines, to take a look at what else is happening in the vast, scary expanse of the tech world - often with a cynical eye, always with a dose of humour.
Wearables and smartwatches have been around for quite some time now, with the usual purpose of tracking a person’s health and fitness, like the Samsung Gear S, Fitbit, and the Microsoft Band. But how does a wearable that acts as an air freshener to block out unpleasant smells from your body sound?
According to reports from Quartz, this idea is part of a patent that has recently been awarded to search giant Google yesterday, February 10. The patent basically features a movement tracker that emits a scent whenever it is detected that the wearer is doing something active, then attempts to override the unpleasant smell that can be emitted by the body with something more pleasing. This is probably useful if you suddenly find yourself reeking after that morning run, and don"t want to get that "look" from people around you.
Furthermore, the patented device has another peculiar trick up its sleeve: it doesn"t only help block displeasing scents, but it can also allegedly help you hide from a friend nearby, maybe if you owe him/her money you haven’t paid yet. The device can access the wearer’s social networks, and if a friend is nearby, it will bring up a map to help the user navigate around the detected people. Weird, but pretty clever.
The patent, according to the report, was the idea of Motorola Mobility back in 2012, but was only given approval this week, after more than a year of Lenovo’s acquisition of the company for $2.91 billion from Google.
What do you think? Would you ever want to see a wearable device like this to be produced in the future?
Source: Quartz