Tech Shout!

The Japanese are always one step ahead when it comes to technology. NTT Communications has now announced to conduct a pilot test of its new Mobile Fragrance Communication (Kaori Tsushin Mobile) service. This service lets users enjoy audiovisual content together with specific fragrances. The fragrance is emitted by a dedicated device.

The technology was first developed by Fragrance Communication was used for indoor environments to spread pleasing fragrances. Now NTT Communication is bringing it on mobile phones. The new mobile version will offer the convenience of using mobile communication to download Fragrance Playlists, or files of recipes for specific fragrances together with visual (GIF animation) and audio (MIDI) content.

The Fragrance Playlists can be downloaded from the i-mode mobile website, which is NTT DoCoMo’s sister company.

This all is possible due to the small stylish device, which receives fragrance data using the phone’s infrared port. The device then mixes the specific fragrances emitting a pleasant fragrance while users enjoy the A/V content played on their phone.

Furthermore, Fragrance Playlists can also be edited and shared with other subscribers of the service.

To enable the Fragrance Playlists service, Service Gateway, a device controller also plays an important role. The Service Gateway is used for connecting to internet. Instructions to the device emitting fragrance can be sent remotely.

The pilot test will run from April 10 to April 20 and a total of 20 male and female monitors will each receive a free Mobile Fragrance Communication kit containing a mobile phone and fragrance device. Five monitors will also be given Service Gateway modules. After experiencing the service, participants will complete the questionnaire, which will focus on when, where and how to use the service, as well as their opinions of the fragrance device’s design and usability.