Maxis has put out a video promotional video for its latest offering, a screen protector that allows users to taste food just by licking images. The Screen Savour is exclusive to the Maxis online store, and will also be bundled free with the first 100 phones bought between 1 and 7 April.
Screen Savour uses a proprietary new technology that allows the screen protector to take on the taste properties of the image on the display. This is done using a series of pigment containing cells called chromatophores, which are widely found in animals. In this case, it was taken from an octopus; which Maxis notes is known for being able to change colour, as well as being very, very delicious.
These chromatophores change colour according to the picture on the display, and the interact with a bionic nanochip that was made by fusing a microchip with cells from an electric eel. This allows the chip to produce bioelectical pulses which make the chromatophores release oils that taste just like the whatever they look like at the time.
This really looks like a marvel of biomechanical engineering from the folks at Maxis, and we can’t wait to give it a go. Although some have wondered if it will work on pictures other than food.
However, considering the suspicious timing of this offer (April Fools’ Day is 48 hours away), we would like to approach the subject with caution. That being said, there is just enough rubbish science in the explanation to make it a perfectly plausible invention.
For more information, visit Maxis’ Screen Savour page.
