A new prototype iPhone peripheral pumps out smells based on user interaction, allowing devs to add an aromatic dimension to games and messaging as long as users keep their reservoir stocked.

ChatPerf slips onto the bottom of an iPhone and comes with an SDK allowing anyone to scent-enable their application. Some variation in smell is possible through the software but mostly the user will need to switch cartridges when switching from the burning rubber smell of the chase to the fetid stench of the zombies encountered on arrival. The developers actually have rather more benign applications in mind, as the video shows.

The company plans a razor blade business model, as Tech In Asia explains; the money comes for the cartridges, and the company admits it will need Android compatibility to achieve that. The plan is to create a version attached though the headphone jack, which should enable interoperability even if it presents some technical challenges.

It's not the first time we've seen smells attached to a computer. Even ignoring the all-too-familiar scent of burning components or fluff, there have been various attempts to inject odours into the digital experience with very limited success.

But even so we can't wait to see how squashed pigs smell, or to sample the scent of frightened mice dashing to their rocket ships, so we wish ChatPerf every success in this difficult-to-crack market. ®