Hot topics

Chinese company patents ‘Drunk Mode’ for smartphones to prevent you from drunk texting

drunk mode smartphone
© Pixabay

Read in other languages:

I am not sure about you, but I have had many instances where some of my friends ended up sending an unwanted text (it’s mostly to an ex), or send a less than glamorous photo of themselves to someone really important or just post the same on social media. While there have been several apps that have been designed to prevent such incidents, a Chinese company seemingly wants to do more.

  • Chinese company patents 'drunk mode' for smartphones
  • Users will need to pass a sobriety test to unlock select apps
  • No word if this mode will ever make it out of China

Gree Electronics, a little known software company from China, recently filed a patent for developing a ‘drunk mode’ for smartphones. The idea behind the mode, once again, is to prevent users from ending up making questionable decisions with their smartphones once they are completely sloshed.

Not just another Drunk Mode app

What seemingly makes the ‘Drunk Mode’ from Gree different from an aftermarket app is that this will most likely be implemented as a separate mode on the smartphone instead of an installable app. According to MyDrivers, who reported about this first, once enabled, the Drunk Mode blocks access to several “commonly used apps” and ensures that you don’t make a fool of yourselves on social media or worse, get yourselves a restraining order.

To get ‘Drunk Mode’ to work, the user will need to select the apps that he/she wants restricted and set a rule. They will also need to set “sober verification rules” that will be used to disable drunk mode. Once the Drunk Mode is turned on, users will need to pass a sober verification test to regain access to these apps.

Another thing that the Drunk Mode does is to simplify the UI of the smartphone and let drunk user access important apps and system settings without too much difficulty. This is akin to the Simple/Easy Mode options that some Android UIs offer on select smartphones. 

All things said, there is no word if this mode will ever make it out of China, and the company behind this patent is not even well-known in China. The only reason they grabbed eyeballs is because of a patent application. But then do you think modern smartphones should come with a drunk mode by default? I vote, yes!
 

The best VPN services compared and tested

  Sponsored Editor's Choice              
  SurfShark CyberGhost NordVPN PureVPN VyprVpn ExpressVPN Private Internet Access Tunnelbear Ivacy
Name SurfShark* CyberGhost* NordVPN* PureVPN VyprVpn ExpressVPN Private Internet Access Tunnelbear Ivacy*
nextpit Tested
Go to review
Go to review
Go to review
Not yet rated
Not yet rated
Not yet rated
Not yet rated
Not yet rated
Not yet rated
Price (monthly) $2.49 to $12.95 $2.25 to $12.99 $3.49 to $11.95 $2.91 to $10.95  $6.47 to $1.81 $8.32 to $12.95  $2.03 to $9.95 $3.33 and $9.99 $2.45 to $9.95
Compatible platforms with its app - Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- FireTV
- Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Android TV, FireTV 
- Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Android TV, FireTV
- Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Android TV, FireTV
- Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS
- Android TV
- Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS
- Android, iOS
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Android TV, FireTV
Protocols OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard L2TP, OpenVPN, IKEv2 L2TP, OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard L2TP, OpenVPN, IKEv2 OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 OpenVPN, IKEv2 L2TP,  OpenVPN, IKEv2
How do I subscribe? See Options* See Options* See Options* See Options* See Options* See Options* See Options* See Options* See Options*
Name SurfShark CyberGhost NordVPN PureVPN VyprVpn ExpressVPN Private Internet Access Tunnelbear Ivacy
Go to comment (0)
Rahul Srinivas

Rahul Srinivas
Senior Editor

Among the most experienced tech journalists from India, Rahul has spent the better part of the past decade writing and experiencing technology. In his decade-long career, Rahul has contributed to several Indian and International publications, including Mobilegeeks, Onlygizmos, iPhoneHacks, and The Inquisitr. Before joining NextPit, he held the position of Senior Editor at MySmartPrice - one of India's largest product research platforms.

Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
No comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing