Meet a Meteorologist: Your New Umbrella
Once in a great while, you may find yourself away from the Capital Weather Gang blog needing to know whether to bring along your umbrella or not. The good news: You can get a consultation with an understudy meteorologist, also known as your Ambient Umbrella.
Here's how it works: The umbrella's handle taps into a wireless network from which it receives AccuWeather.com forecast information for over 150 U.S. locations. When precipitation is likely for your location in the next 12 hours, a light within the handle blinks quickly. When the light blinks slowly, precipitation chances are low. I'm guessing the handle doesn't blink at all when the forecast is for dry weather - although the product description doesn't specify if that's the case.
The umbrellas have been so popular at Hammacher Schlemmer (HS) that they're currently sold out. However, they're in stock at ThinkGeek.com and priced cheaper at $79.99 vs. $99.99 (at HS).
I think the umbrella is cool and innovative. Personally though, I wouldn't buy the device since I've got radar on my cell phone and it's my job to know the forecast. But for someone who is less in touch with the weather, likes gadgets and/or is less inclined to lose umbrellas than I am, this would be a fun and useful toy.
By Jason Samenow |
March 20, 2008; 11:00 AM ET
Technology
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Posted by: Anonymous | March 20, 2008 11:39 AM
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For God's sake buy one of these for the Bombo. Then he can safely navigate the streets to his dances.
Posted by: Downtown | March 20, 2008 12:13 PM
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HA! I wouldn't waste my money on this. I lose things too easily, and if I get caught in the rain, it's not like I'm going to melt, sheesh! Why waste money on a 100 dollar umbrella? They're 2.50 at WalMart, knock yourself out.
But I have to admit, the concept is pretty cool though!
Posted by: weatherdudeVA (Lake Ridge) | March 20, 2008 12:46 PM
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I shared an office with someone who bought this. I can safely say that it didn't work -- it always blinked (during our drought). Just check CWG instead if you want to know when to bring your unmbrella.
Posted by: Jamie Y (Potomac) | March 20, 2008 2:56 PM
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Good idea, Downtown.
However, as I posted yesterday, an equivalent umbrella from the Weather Channel would be slightly more accurate than an AccuWeather umbrella. But don't get one with NWS data. That's far less accurate!
Posted by: El Bombo | March 20, 2008 4:39 PM
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I see Monday's flake is gone...
Posted by: missy | March 20, 2008 5:04 PM
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It would be great to have CWG umbrellas...I'd pay for one of those!
Posted by: ~sg | March 20, 2008 5:38 PM
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Go Go Gadget umbrella.