Ambient's Weather Forecasting Umbrella

If you happened to leave your Weather Wizard e-ink forecaster at home, you'll sure be glad you grabbed your Ambient-powered Weather Forecasting Umbrella, which notifies you that it's raining the instant a drop hits its canopy. Actually, it uses Ambient's nationwide infoswag network to indicate the weather forecast with a glowing halo of light in the handle (in theory, at least; seems to be just a concept/prototype for now). Stored handle-up in your umbrella rack, it provides a quick and easy way to decide if you want to bring it with as you head out the door. We sure hope it comes with a lifetime replacement warranty, though, for when you come home soaking one day and beat the crap out of it for its inaccurate prediction.

[Via Shiny Shiny]

[Megan @ Jan 11th 2006 3:08PM]

The Celestron SkyScout is now available for pre-order



http://www.astronomics.com/Celestron-SkyScout

[jamesey @ Jan 11th 2006 3:16PM]

If you have your umbrella out, aren't you already aware that rain is coming? Can't you just see or feel the rain when it's coming?

[Grant @ Jan 11th 2006 3:24PM]

This is a solution looking for a problem. As #2 said, if you need an umbrella to tell you if it's raining, I doubt you're smart enough to figure out how to dress yourself, let alone go outside unsupervised.

[GeekAustin @ Jan 11th 2006 3:33PM]

This idea is "solar flashlight" dumb. If you have your umbrella out... it's raining, numbnutz.

[Brian @ Jan 11th 2006 3:33PM]

While it might not sound useful to some, it's an example of "inescapable data" and it's where we're heading.



http://www.inescapabledata.com/

[Joe @ Jan 11th 2006 3:37PM]

2 & 3 You are both stupid.



Read the summary again (you know the text at the top). This is designed to tell you the weather forecast before you leave the house:



"Stored handle-up in your umbrella rack, it provides a quick and easy way to decide if you want to bring it with as you head out the door."



Now get off your mom's computer before she sees what you're doing! And stop mocking this product when you're too dumb to read.

[TC @ Jan 11th 2006 3:39PM]

#2/#3 Actually I think Engadget were having a bit of a joke with this one with regards to rain hitting the umbrella. It basically lets you know if it is forecast to rain that day, so you know when to bother taking it to work etc. The only problem is if the cost is too high, as the bright blue ring may become the new white earphone 'mug me' symbol for future years.

[College Cheapskate @ Jan 11th 2006 5:07PM]

I love the expression of "why in the hell would I ever need this?" on that woman's face.

[Jamesey @ Jan 11th 2006 5:34PM]

#6 you must have stock in this silly product. I'm just glad I'll never be stupid enough to buy it.

-#2.

[duker @ Jan 12th 2006 9:31AM]

Ok, it tells you if it's going to rain, but does it also glow blue when orcs are near?

[everrette powell @ Jan 12th 2006 12:46PM]

hey! if its raining i bet you i don't need an umbrella to tell me

[Nick @ Jan 12th 2006 2:12PM]

"ITS GON' RAIN!"



god bless family guy :D

[rainman @ May 3rd 2006 7:46PM]

what you also need to do is add additional led's to the actual edges of the open umbrella and link it to a light meter so that the lights come on when its dark and gloomy?.............
Improvement on the solar torch.............