Social Sensor built into e-cig

[Scout]

I just stumbled upon this article. It goes on to say that the makers of Blu e-cigarettes have started to put in a sensor that will let users find other e-cigarette users.

"The new Blu “smart packs” will go on sale next month for $80 for five e-cigarettes, the Times says. They contain radio devices that emit and search for signals of other packs, and when they get within 50 feet of each other, they vibrate and flash a blue light. They also vibrate when the user walks by a store selling replacement cigs."

Social Sensors Built Into E-Cigarettes Let Smokers Find Each Other In Public | Popular Science

I think its a pretty cool idea. It wont make me start using Blu cigs, I like my Provari too much but its still pretty cool.

 

[banjo]

Great! Now all we need is a PV with a built in iPod, GPS, camera, and cell phone.

 

[juicejunky]

Someone posted the New York Times article yesterday. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/technology/11smoke.html?_r=4
The part about calling home to Blu about how much you are vaping scares me. Just what vapors need a record of our vaping habits for insurance companies to subpoena.

Later versions will be tethered to a smartphone through an app, allowing more options for real-time communication, Mr. Healy said. The company also plans to develop a system through which the packs will monitor how much people are smoking and report back to them — or to their doctors

Are folks really that desperate to meet strangers?

 

[MickeyRat]

Hmmm if they actually get these, I think I'd try to find someone in Mexico that I could swap with by mail every couple months. Then I could wait for the DEA to show up.

 

[melloyello]

i would hook the thing up to an automatic puffer machine and nail down a stake by it that said "gotcha"

 

[mjones]

LOL thats if you can get more than 15 good drags off of it haha, jkjk /duck