Let’s face it, ever since you thought you saw Santa zipping across the night sky you’ve been disappointed by what he left at the end of your bed.
And it doesn’t go away with age. Each Christmas somewhere, deep down, a little spark of envy flickers into life for that one thing you craved, but never got. Either you weren’t insistent enough or those around you just weren’t listening — and for the office geek that can be a real problem. So, for the disappointed, here’s something you can add to your New Year shopping list.
Picture the scene: You’re in a meeting and your smartphone is switched to silent, but you really need to know when that important message lands. Suddenly the delicate air of fresh brewed coffee drifts around the table. Ah, you smile, as you check your phone.
The neat little globe plugged into the headphone socket of your iPhone or Android device is called a Scentee and comes from Japan where, not surprisingly, it is this year’s “must have” Christmas gift.
Inside it you place the aroma of your choice — the current list includes rose, mint, cinnamon roll, coffee, curry, jasmine, ylang-ylang, lavender, apple, coconut, strawberry and even sweet corn soup — and once synced with the free app will gently warn you whenever you receive a message or call.
Shift, the company behind Scentee, has been developing and testing their gadget for almost three years. The final production model now has a customisable LED light which glows from both the nozzle and the circumference, adding a warning light to each warning waft. And there are new scents being added monthly, the latest batch includes fried bacon and still more fruits.
Communication with the accessory is through the headphone socket, not Bluetooth, so there is a minimal drain on the phone’s battery. The Scentee itself has a micro-USB port to top up the battery from your computer or laptop.
Early sales were way beyond Shift’s expectations and it is now in partnership discussions with multiple companies in the fragrance and food industry.
Shift is also aiming to publish a software developers kit, allowing independent developers to incorporate the scent dispenser into other applications. It’s already possible to release scents with the arrival of social network notifications, alarms and interactive games, and a location-based release for the iPhone will be unveiled early next year. Hardware development is also continuing, with the maker’s hoping to miniaturise the Scentee and embed multiple scents into a single accessory.
The current model delivers about 100 bursts per capsule, with additional scent capsules costing $5 each if bought direct from America or 500 yen from Japan. Amazon Europe is said to be evaluating the Scentee and is expected to start selling it online within weeks.
Previous Post
The Benefits of Opening on Christmas Day
