Instead of ring tones how about downloading the scent of a cherry pie? How about creating a playlist of comforting or relaxing scents such as an ocean breeze, spring flowers or a musky perfume? Cell phone users in Japan will be testing out a new service that allows them to download fragrances. The service is the brainchild of NTT Communications, a major telecommunications company.
Twenty cell phone users will be trying out the new mobile fragrance communications service for a total of ten days by downloading files containing music or video clips and accompanied by specific scents. Scent playlists are available on NTT DoCoMo’s i-mode website.
How does the scent service work? A handset’s infrared port transfers the scent data to a dedicated scent device that resembles a home air-freshener. The device is loaded with an array of scents in the form of a cartridge. The base scents can be mixed to form whatever scent combination that is requested. The chose scent then wafts out from the device.
This scent service is similar to an already existing service that delivers fragrance to homes and offices rather than cell phones. The machine cost 73,500 yen or $720 in US money.
Another scent device that is currently being tested is one that can connect to the Internet, allowing a user to remotely program a scent for home from a cell phone.
What do you think of this technology? Would you take advantage of mobile fragrance communications? Would you send your spouse the scent of roses or your teen the scent of pizza? Would marketing companies take advantage of mobile fragrance to beam you the scent of coffee as you are nearing a Starbucks or the scent of burgers when it is close to lunch? Please leave a comment with your thoughts.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
Related Articles:
Apple TV Gets a Bold New Update
Neurosurgeon Warns that Cell Phones are Worse than Smoking