New LED vodka bottle programmed by app

Medea Vodka has created a smartphone app enabling users to create their own customised messages appearing on the LED strip wrapped around its bottle.

The new bottles, set to hit shelves in May, will feature Bluetooth technology

Although the programmable bottles have been around since 2010, they could only be customised by pressing buttons manually on the bottle.

The new bottles will feature Bluetooth technology enabling smartphone users to track the bottle’s location, and share access to the bottle with friends – allowing them to customise messages on the strip as well.
Users are required to set up an account using their email address in order to use the app, and combined with the use of Bluetooth, the tech allows Medea to collect data about its consumers such as age and location.

Brandon Laidlaw, the company’s chief operating officer, told CNBC: “Basically, we are creating the understanding of who is involved in sharing this great gift, but the important thing is the technology and allowing the users to interact with the bottle.”

The bottles will have an RRP of US$29.99 and will be available in select markets from May onwards.