UNITED KINGDOM: INTERNET COMES TO ITS SENSES A NEW TECHNOLOGY OFFERS ONLINE EXPERIENCE WITH THE SCENTDOME THAT TRANSMITS SMELL OVER THE INTERNET

Record ID: 336530

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: INTERNET COMES TO ITS SENSES A NEW TECHNOLOGY OFFERS ONLINE EXPERIENCE WITH THE SCENTDOME THAT TRANSMITS SMELL OVER THE INTERNET
  • Date: 16th February 2004
  • Summary: SLATE INFORMATION (L!1) WOKING, UNITED KINGDOM (FEBRUARY 16, 2004) (REUTERS) VARIOUS CLOSEUPS OF SCENTDOME GIRL SNIFFING SCENTDOME (SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN MOORWOOD, CONSUMER PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER OF TELEWEST BROADBAND, SAYING: "We just received this equipment fresh from America. It's only just been developed there, it's in the test stage. We saw it on the Interne
  • Embargoed: 2nd March 2004 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: WOKING, UNITED KINGDOM
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA51P9F0UIVJCSAAJLG7U6Q2QLD
  • Story Text: The internet is coming to its senses - a new technology offers an online experience that's not to be sniffed at.
    It looks like a plastic oilburner, and that isn't too far away from its usage. This green and red scentdome is a device that transmits smells over the Internet. You can already chat, email, download music and watch videos through the Internet, but imagine being able to smell fresh seaside air from the heart of the city, or savour the smell of your favourite restaurant's cuisine while booking a table. Or, indeed, send your girlfriend the perfume of freshly-picked flowers straight to her e-mail account.
    This could soon be possible with the arrival of Britain's first 'ScentMail' facility.
    The new technology is currently being tested in the laboratories of UK company Telewest Broadband. Developed in America, it is already available to buy on the Internet, although it is not yet a finished product.
    Telewest Broadband Consumer PR Manager John Moorwood says the scentdome could revolutionize the Internet: "It's got massive potential for the consumer market, it could be one-to-one personal e-mails where you want to personalize your message with a smell, whether good or bad.
    It's got massive marketing potential as well. We take scent so seriously, but subconsciously, when we're making buying decisions."
    The revolutionary technology works in conjunction with a high-speed, broadband internet connection, enabling people to send and receive codes to special 'scent domes,' which mix liquid smells and spray them into the air around the PC. Even online shopping services benefit with the added dimension of smell.
    The possibilities are limitless.
    All you need to do is plug in one of the unique domes, just as you would a printer or scanner, and a whole new nasal experience awaits. So, take a deep breath and see what you think ....
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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