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Cell Phones Sniff out Rotten Scents

DW staff (sms)September 21, 2004

Sensors in the next generation of cell phones will be able to warn owners of fires and ozone levels, but it may be a bad breath alert that makes the most people open their wallets for the extra feature.

https://p.dw.com/p/5bHr
She wouldn't be smiling if her cell phone mentioned her bad breathImage: Transit-Archiv

"The person you want to speak to doesn't want to deal with your bad breath. Please have a piece of chewing gum and call back later."

While cell phone technology hasn't got quite that far, Siemens has developed technology that recognizes smells, including bad breath, the company announced Monday.

Handy als Fahrradzubehör
Knowing about dangerous ozone levels might be enough to keep bikers insideImage: AP

Miniature sensors, less than one millimeter big, are built into the phones and analyze users breath but also have other, more important, uses.

The company sees the next generation of cell phones functioning as portable smoke alarms, warning systems for asthma sufferers that nitrogen levels to help them avoid asthma attacks and a way for joggers to measure ozone levels before going for a run.

Siemens said the ceramic sensors will be available in new cell phones for a "small additional charge."

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