When did a water bottle become a ‘personal hydration companion’?

A Californian start-up is trying to flog us a $185 steel container to carry around water in. It’s expensive and pointless … and bound to be successful.

This 1L, double-walled bottle, paired with an app, enables you to “set personal hydration goals and keep track of your progress”.

WHAT IS IT? “Your intelligent hydration companion”, the people at LARQ call it.

EH? IT’S A WATER BOTTLE, RIGHT? Yes, but with all the bells and whistles. It has a carbon filter and a mechanism that regularly bathes the inside of the bottle in bacteria-killing UV-C light. Sensors monitor how much, and how often, you’re drinking. And it connects to an app that functions as your “personal hydration coach”.

OH, FOR GOODNESS SAKE. WHY DO THEY MAKE QUENCHING YOUR THIRST SO COMPLICATED? The straight answer is that LARQ is a Californian start-up trying to flog a $185 steel container. But hey, drinking enough water is important. This
1-litre, double-walled bottle, paired with the app, enables you to “set personal hydration goals and keep track of your progress”. It even prompts you when to drink, with a beep and a message: “Hydrate now!”

THAT SOUNDS REALLY ANNOYING. I’ll say. But you can turn on “Do not disturb”.

VERDICT: It’s expensive and pointless, and aimed at young Wellness types. In other words, it’s gonna be huuuuuge!

$185 plus shipping, livelarq.com