Sending text messages that really stink

[Fanatic]

Two German companies have patented technology for sending scented text messages between mobile phones. The chip, which carries a range of around 100 pre-defined scents, has been developed by the Institute of Sensory Analysis and interactive services firm Convisual and will be on the market in one to two years.

Naturally, the makers think that the chip will be used for sending pleasant odors to friendsand family — vanilla, rose and Christmas cinnamon are on the list — but surely the claim to be able to send 'the smell of the beach and sunshine' is a little optimistic?

SMS stink bombs cannot be far away.

Source: The Local via Slashdot

[sarahtowny]

lol can you imagine .....

Ok sending the fart smell to someone you don't like! haha

Or the Chocolate smell to your friend on the diet.

I think I must be secretly mean hehe, but what the?

[Dermot]

weird germans lol

[VvWolverinevV]

I concur with Dermot. This seems like it will require too much maintenance in changing scent cartridges, etc. to be worth it.

[Gandalf]

I would hate this! I can smell it now. I'm in the middle of a phone conversation, when someone else sends me a stinky SMS message. Do I grit my teeth and continue the phone conversation, even though the stench of roses is overpowering? Or do I tell my friend I've got to call them back after my phone airs out. Blech!

[David]

Haven't people toyed with the idea of scented X long enough? It clearly didn't work for TV, it doesn't work for computers, it's not going to work.

Smell isn't a scent that is all that important in the sense that it should be added to anything technical to simulate a different experience. What advantages does it really have? Now, if you could 'record' a scent (as in, I'm at the beach, this is exactly what it smells like), then things change.. but pre-defined scents, who gives a ****?

[PolarBearNPR]

Oh I dunno . . . certain smells just take you back to wonderful places and times . . . the smell of rain, a baby's head, school on the first day back after summer break, the beach, a new car, Mom's meatloaf . . . However, record-a-scent would be better than factory-produced ones for sure. And to dispute David's assertion that scent isn't all that important - have ya ever heard of pheromones? And why is there a fragrance industry if smell isn't important. (I know you were talking about it not being important enough to add to communication devices.) But, just for grins I looked it up, and there is a whole website devoted to the sense of smell.

So again, I dunno, and I'm sure there would be an extra charge which I probably wouldn't use, but it is interesting to think about . . .