Skip to main content

Goodbye deodorant? Google patents an odor-killing fan to wear under your clothes

google gets patent for bizarre odor obliterating wearable shirt fan full
Artist rendition
Google’s latest patent has a wonderful whiff of intrigue about it, and will certainly give hope to those with chronic body odor, as well as relief to those with a keen sense of smell.

Issued this week by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the patent describes a smart wearable gadget that’ll keep you smelling of roses all day long and allow you to say goodbye to the morning ritual of excessive deodorant spraying.

google patent diagram
Google’s ‘fragrance emission device.’ Image used with permission by copyright holder

The so-called ‘fragrance emission device,’ which fits under your clothes close to your odor-emitting parts, uses an array of sensors to detect both activity and smelliness. Once it considers your odor to be at a level considered socially unacceptable, the device blasts out a shot of sweet-smelling fragrance to beat down any rising stench, leaving you to go about your day with a spring in your step.

Google’s odor obliterator is even smart enough to detect changes in whiff intensity, enabling the device to dispense the perfect amount of fragrance to save your nose, and the noses of others, from undue stress.

But here’s the best bit. This intriguing device, which also incorporates a tiny fan to ensure the fragrance gets to the right places, is designed to connect with your social networks and warn you if your contacts are nearby – it’ll even map out an alternative buddy-avoiding route on your smartphone, a feature that could potentially save your friendship. We’re guessing this must be for situations where you’re reeking so badly that even the entire amount of on-board fragrance won’t be enough to hide your eye-watering stink.

Of course, there’s no guarantee that Google will actually make this product. However, if the recent proliferation of fitness-focused apps and wearables really does mean we’re becoming more active, then perhaps we’re getting smellier, too, in which case maybe Google’s onto something here….

[Source: USPTO]

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
The best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 screen protectors
Person holding skateboard while wearing the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4.

A new, sleek design and digital bezel help the Galaxy Watch 4 stand out in the crowd and set it apart from the traditional style of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. Whether you've picked up a 40mm model with a 1.2-inch Super AMOLED screen or opted for more screen real estate with the 44mm model, that stand-out design needs protecting from scratches and knocks. That means it's time for our picks of the best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 screen protectors, with something to suit all budgets.

These screen protectors will all fit the 40mm or 44mm models of the Galaxy Watch 4. If you've got a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, these won't fit.
Spigen Glas.tR EZ Fit Screen Protector

Read more
How to remove watch links from the strap on your new watch
how to remove watch links fossil q explorist

There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all smartwatch. If your wrists are on the smaller size, then you may find that your new smartwatch is dangling from your wrist and sliding up your forearm. No need to worry — it's a common problem. Chances are there are at least one too many chain links on the strap, but adjusting a metal-link smartwatch band isn't as difficult as you might think — and doesn't usually require a trip to the jewelers.

We'll take you through everything you need to know and the tools you'll need handy to remove links from your smartwatch so it fits snugly on your wrist.

Read more
Best Cyber Monday Deals 2022: Laptops, TVs, AirPods, and more
Best Cyber Monday Deals 2022

Cyber Week is here! With some truly epic deals out there, this is the best time of year to buy a new tech gadget. If you slept through the Black Friday sales, then the Cyber Monday sales, you better grab what you need during this week of slowly diminishing deals. From tablets to air fryers, laptops to smartwatches, we've rounded up the best Cyber Monday deals across a range of categories, and you'll find them all below.
Cyber Monday sales: Quick links

Amazon: Huge discounts on laptops, Echo devices, and tablets
Best Buy: Your destination for sales on super-sized TVs
Dell: Unbeatable discounts on gaming laptops, monitors, and more
Gamestop: Cheap video games, console accessories and monitors
HP: Gaming PCs, laptops, monitors, and printers from $129
Kohl's: Home decor, clothing and kitchen appliance steals
Lowe’s: Up to 60% off appliances like refrigerators and decor
Staples: Save big on laptops, home office hardware and supplies
Target: Tons of cheap kitchen appliances and stocking-fillers
Walmart: Great for laptops, and is restocking PS5 and Xbox Series X

Read more