WiFi umbrella lets you know when its needed

We're often at a loss as to why the citizens of earth deem it necessary to partake in these "outdoors" of which they speak, but if such an action must be done, might we recommend a WiFi umbrella to help combat the elements? The premise is pretty simple, the umbrella handle has an LED that glows based on the likelihood of precipitation, so instead of taking the 30 seconds necessary to look up the weather on the Internet, or sticking your head out of a window, you can just glance at your umbrella on the way out. Sounds a lot like Ambient's Weather Forecasting Umbrella, but beyond looking just plain snazzier, this version pulls all its information off of your Internet via WiFi. It really sounds like quite the functional use of usually superfluous technology, even if it is just a clever ploy to draw us outside for our demise. No word on price or availability.

[Via Inhabitat]

[John @ May 3rd 2006 6:46PM]

This will be available this summer. Interesting unit.

[xploity @ May 3rd 2006 6:50PM]

"outdoors"????

[ziper @ May 3rd 2006 6:53PM]

I WILL BUY THIS EVEN IF I NEVER USE UMBERELLAS :D

[steve @ May 3rd 2006 6:55PM]

just watch the electronic part of it wont be waterproof
lol

[TC @ May 3rd 2006 6:56PM]

I like the idea, but I'm a bit worried the glowing handles will become the 'white ipod earbuds' of the future - i.e 'virtual Mug me sign'

[Tush @ May 3rd 2006 6:59PM]

Does it also glow when Orcs are near?

[stevievep @ May 3rd 2006 7:01PM]

That's so absurd, it's almost cool.

[Nukes and Candy @ May 3rd 2006 7:05PM]

That�s perfect for blind people!
oh wait... that�s not right!

Cool (en)gadget. This will be a bigger hit for people who live in cramped apartment buildings and such. Let�s see how the marketing gurus sell this baby.

Possibility of success: Probable.

Alexander Wunderlich,
Nukes and Candy for Dinner!

[bliss @ May 3rd 2006 7:18PM]

whoa.. this would be perfect to have in Seattle or New York.

[John Hinds @ May 3rd 2006 7:27PM]

So I need to recharge my umbrella now?

Gah!!!

[zzzzzzzzzz @ May 3rd 2006 7:29PM]

This thing is just a computer-rendered concept. Doesn't even exist.

Why does engadget post such crap?

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

Would be better to have an umbrella *stand* that did the same thing instead. That way you don't end up leaving your very expensive umbrella in a cab. And yeah, the last thing i need is one more thing to recharge.

[Jon H @ May 3rd 2006 7:57PM]

Why not just put a barometer in the handle? Then you wouldn't need WiFi access. It'd probably use less power, too.

[John Stracke @ May 3rd 2006 8:11PM]

I, for one, welcome our new umbrella overlords.

[cDub @ May 3rd 2006 8:22PM]

All this umbrella says is "id walk to the window, but..."

[AJ @ May 3rd 2006 10:02PM]

Ah, so on your way out of the house you'll know whether to take your umbrella or not depending on whether it's glowing. Clever.

[Dan @ May 3rd 2006 10:47PM]

Its called look at the sky... If you feel water... Open your umbrella...

[nizzy1115 @ May 4th 2006 12:47AM]

17:

That is too difficult for most to do. We all rely on our gadgets to tell us what to do.

Just think...its pouring down rain and your umbrella is not open. A man walks up to you and asks, "why dont you use your umbrella? Your getting soaked!" You respond "Sir, I can't! My handle isn't blue yet!"

[Me @ May 4th 2006 1:00AM]

If you get hit with lightening while holding that umbrella, you will be uploaded into the internet and have to spend the rest of your days roaming the dirty backalleys of the www to find a way out...

[Joe @ May 4th 2006 5:17AM]

Dupe:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/11/ambients-weather-forecasting-umbrella/

[AKS @ May 4th 2006 5:31AM]

hmmm... sounds interesting!!! When you connect internet on ur PC, u will (probably) have to log on to some particular site, from where the unit at the base will collect all the weather info (via WIFI port) for probably a week or 2 weeks, depending on whatever is available on that site (and the software/hardware of the umbrella's controller). So on the day it's gonna rain/snow, the base will signal the handle, which in turn would start glowing, reminding you on your way out to carry the umbrella along!! You'll have to connect the base to some power supply, but definitely would not need any kind of recharging for ur umbrella!! Just make sure that the umbrella is placed in it's unit at the time u r leaving ur home/office, so that it has already done it's homework!!
(P.S. This is my own opinion based on the pics and the article. Kindly recheck the working and other details before making any conclusions)

[Brian @ May 4th 2006 12:43PM]

Yeah Joe except they mentioned that link in the article and they're clearly two different products from two different companies.

[Bill Burgoyne @ May 4th 2006 2:34PM]

This is perfect for the crazy New England weather we have and instead of getting mad at the weatherman like many Bostonians do, we can just throw the umbrella when it makes a mistake. Umbrellas were wierd enough before and they now tell us the weather!

[Amir @ May 4th 2006 4:58PM]

Great. Now I'll have to worry about charging my umbrella too.

[Josiah Pugh @ May 4th 2006 5:25PM]

This is a brilliant idea that links technology with real world practical applications.

[super susan @ May 4th 2006 9:08PM]

Wow. A new low on laziness factor.

[seamus @ May 4th 2006 10:10PM]

I want a pair of socks that glow before I walk out the door, telling me to put my shoes on.

[Hemaworstje @ Jun 14th 2006 3:15PM]

I love it when people de-evolutionize.
2006 is sooo anti Darwin.

[Islam @ Aug 31st 2006 6:02AM]

In a matter of fact, all years, all life, science and logic is anti Darwin.
And here is the proof

[Mag @ Aug 31st 2006 6:03AM]

Cool umbrella!

[peter chen @ Sep 24th 2006 11:42AM]

We are an import-export trading company ,we are dealing with umbrellas .
XIAMEN FOREVER TAN IMP. & EXP., LTD.
RM 1519,JUTAI COMMERCIAL CENTER, 1228 XIAHE ROAD, XIAMEN, CHINA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
[e-mail]
Contact:PETER CHEN

[Dom @ May 25th 2009 11:22PM]

This concept would be very useful over here in the UK