Smartphone app sends smells

TOKYO —

We all have certain smells that effect us in different ways. If I say, “I loved the smell of magic markers and glue as a kid,” you could probably relate. It doesn’t have to be the smell of roses or freshly baked cookies for us to understand olfactory connections.

An application that enables you to send smells through iPhones could be a way to strengthen the bonds of communication. That is what Chaku Perfume Co believes, and is why they developed a new communication service in the way of an iPhone application and device called “Chat Perf,” which can send smells across cyber space. Amazing!

Chat Perf is, surprisingly a simple gadget. All it takes is the Chat Perf attachable device, which includes an atomizer and a smell tank and fits snugly into your iPhone’s dock port. Just plug it into your iPhone and the smell can be sent to another iPhone user using the same device in a puff of spray.

It all started with a conversation among the Chaku Perfume staff over what present day cell phone technology lacks. If you think about it, there are endless possibilities for Chat Perf. One of the representatives from Chaku Perfume shared his ideas to get you started off:

・You could send a smell that matches a favorite scene from one of your games while your playing with a friend.
・A tourist attraction could give gift-smell tanks to guests of aromatic yaku cedar, sure to get them to come again.
・You could receive the sweat smell of your favorite idol during a concert, fans caught up in the moment would go wild!
・You could include a pleasant scent with a news letter.

Chaku Perfume is looking to take this innovative idea overseas. Japan is a relatively odor-free culture. People overseas think of scent as part of fashion, and body odor is hidden with deodorants. With this in mind, the Chat Perf might prove to be compatible with foreign markets. 

The new experience of being able to get smell off of your cell phone is surprisingly refreshing. “Smelling” is the new element of cell phone communication right along with “talking,” “listening,” “writing” and “reading.” A new way to be intimate with close friends. What smell will you send?

Chat Perf is due to advance into the application market this fall and will cost 4,980 yen.