Surf and Sniff

First there was Smell-O-Vision cinema, then scratch ‘n’ sniff TV. Now it’s the turn of the internet to tickle our nasal passages, claims The Mirror

US technology company Trisenx (www.trisenx.com) has developed a ‘scent dome’ which will enable companies to ‘pipe’ their own smells via the net. Initially, each scent dome will contain 20 aromas which can be mixed to produce up to 60 different smells.

Telewest Broadband is one the first companies to take up the technology in the UK, installing two of the domes at a new ‘Aroma-net’ facility at its Woking headquarters.

“This could bring an extra whiff of realism to the internet. We are always looking at ways to enhance our customers’ online experience,” says Chad Raube, director of Telewest Broadband’s internet service. Who knows, it may soon be possible to smell the suntan lotion and the sea while booking your beach holiday on the internet or send your loved one the smell of roses in an e-mail!