NeoBytes :) is an occasional feature that takes a step back from the big headlines, to take a look at what else is happening in the vast expanse of the tech world - often with a cynical eye, and always with a dose of humour.
They say you never forget your first time. Now, thanks to scientists (or artists, or magicians - depending on your perspective), you may never have to.
That sense of anticipation just before you broke the seal, taking a moment to pause before you carefully teased open the box, gently parting its flaps, and just as you began to open it up for the first time, there was this… aroma that gently wafted out of the packaging, seducing you and enticing you, luring you in, BEGGING you to—
If none of that sounds familiar, then you’ll probably have little regard for the latest creation from the scientists of Air Aroma, who believe they have successfully recreated and bottled that fragrance, that intoxicating scent of a freshly purchased gadget.
But this isn’t just the scent of any gadget. This is the lush and clearly superior aroma of opening a brand new Apple MacBook Pro, therefore making it instantly superior to anything and everything else, in the world, EVER.
As Air Aroma’s blog explains: “A distinctive scent can be observed when unwrapping a newly purchased Apple product from its packaging. Apple fans will certainly recognize this smell… of the plastic wrap covering the box, printed ink on the cardboard, the smell of paper and plastic components within the box and of course the aluminium laptop which has come straight from the factory where it was assembled in China.”
And with that exotic bouquet of plastic, paper and rubber - and just a hint of glue - what self-respecting gadget-geek wouldn’t want to indulge in such a delicate fragrance?
The question that you’re surely asking now is that of how you can get your hands on a bottle RIGHT NOW. Sit down and calm yourself, dear Neowinian, for the news is not good: the fragrance was created not for commercial purposes, but instead for an art exhibition being held in Melbourne, Australia, for the next few weeks, entitled ‘De Facto Standard’. The show focuses on the rise of technology and the digital age.
For now, if you want to carry that distinctive scent of a new MacBook Pro upon your person, you’ll have to buy a new one and rub it vigorously all over your body.
This is the second time this month that techies have found their hopes raised and dashed by the promise of gadget-related olfactory delights. Deodorant maker Lynx had the last laugh when it unveiled its new mobile app for the Nokia Lumia 800 on April 1: