A new device, slated for crowdfunding on the Kickstarter rival IndieGoGo, aims to revive the concept of smell-o-vision for the modern era with a scent-releasing mechanism compatible with Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone. The device’s tagline, “bringing scent to mobile messaging,” describes the project perfectly, though it does not necessarily demonstrate that the oPhone will be any more successful than previous attempts at aroma-producing technology.
The device is reported to be activated via the oSnap app. The oPhone first analyzes an odor to which it is exposed, and generates a code for replicating that smell. The code is sent as a text message to a friend’s iPhone, then transferred to the recipient’s oPhone. The receiving device then generates a smell based on the code. 32 basic odor chemicals are included, which are blended to produce one of a claimed possible total of 300,000 different smells. Presumably, the chemicals come from a cartridge which needs to be periodically replenished.
An IndieGoGo project for the oPhone, with a $150,000 goal, is slated to go live soon. The initial oPhone is a tabletop or countertop installation, but a mobile version is planned if the design is successful, and is in fact included as the $2 million stretch goal. The device is touted as being able to share the smell of food, a pleasant summer day, or a flower with a friend at a remote location. Smells of familiar locales such as restaurant, the seaside, and so on can also be sent to someone to bring back memories and give more substance to reminiscences.
One of the most disturbing uses listed is an “odor selfie,” which leaves one wondering what, precisely, constitutes someone’s personal smell. No doubt a favorite cologne or perfume, or even hair conditioner, was implied. The chance of people using unique “body odor” selfies is not ruled out by this assumption, however.
Of course, human nature being what it is, the oPhone will likely prove to be a tool of pranksters if it is actually released. Even among staid Apple (AAPL) iPhone users, there are doubtless many who will be unable to resist texting a friend “take a sniff of this delicious quiche I’m eating!” and then sending the stench of flatulence – or worse – instead. An odor blocking feature might go a long way towards making oPhone smell exchanges more civilized.
Whether it eventually proves to be a success or failure, the oPhone’s IndieGoGo project has some interesting stretch goals. The most intriguing, perhaps, is also the one least likely to be realized, that of an “Aromatic Camera,” which is the $5 million stretch goal. The oSnap app is already available as a preview.
This camera would record odor data when a picture was taken, enabling reconstruction of the smell at the time the photograph was snapped. This would appear to have potentially practical applications, rather than merely being a gimmick. Forensic and scientific applications can be easily imagined, assuming the sensitivity and accuracy of the odor reconstruction was high enough.
