Ambient's forecasting umbrella now on sale

For those of you who have been getting continually soaked in bad weather due to your unbelievable lack of knowledge concerning the possibility of rain, your day of suffering has come to a close. The Ambient Umbrella, which we introduced you to way back in the good-old-days of 2006 -- and then checked out intimately earlier this year -- is now available for purchase via the company's website. The device, if you'll recall, alerts you to upcoming rain via the colored LED ring located on the handle, which is updated wirelessly via Ambient's "Information Network", thus resulting in a generally drier commute. The magical umbrella is available now for $125, and your ability to check the weather before you leave the house is also available now, for free.

[GuyJ @ Jul 4th 2007 6:52AM]

In theory this is fantastic/pointless depending which way you sway. What I can't Justify is dropping $125 on something that will always break. Theres a fundamental design flaw with umbrellas and thats the rods/arms that coming off the centre part of the umbrella, they are always poorly made and break.

If I want an umbrella its either a shoddy free one or one that does not cost more than £10/$20

[Erick @ Jul 4th 2007 1:33PM]

Huh? An umbrella is only useful when it rains. When it rains people usually notice that it rains... and use their umbrella. There are also more efficient devices available to lookup the weather at your destination if you're still at home. Nice but pointless gadget.

[L. Cyphre @ Jul 4th 2007 7:36AM]

Great idea! Now I won't have to actually *look* out of the window anymore!
Ah, the wonders of technology...

[matt @ Jul 4th 2007 7:52AM]

Wont you look silly with your umbella open before it actually starts raining?

Why not just wait until it does actually start.

[Jesus @ Jul 4th 2007 8:07AM]

How can I check the weather for free before I leave the house? Wouldn't I have to have some sort of radio, tv, weather clock, etc? Wouldn't those cost money? Would I have to pay to power them?

[Sanjin @ Jul 4th 2007 8:19AM]

Now, if I can only get a device to let me know, ahead of time, when I'm thirsty, and then some blog to write about top 10 tips on how to prevent thirst. So much junk, seriously...Have we stopped reasoning?

[DakStaka @ Jul 4th 2007 8:36AM]

This summer in London... just take it everyday!

[Artr @ Jul 4th 2007 8:54AM]

what'd be better would be an addon to strap/clamp to the handle of any of your favourite umbrellas, so in the case of your umbrella breaking, you can just move it onto the next one.

Also carrying this $125 umbrella around you'd have to keep it by your side, because there's no way you'd leave it in the communal umbrella pot at the entrance to any public place.

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 4th 2007 9:12AM]

Great idea!

But wouldn't I be expecting bad weather anyway if I was already carrying an umbrella?

[TTX1 @ Jul 4th 2007 9:38AM]

seems like the perfect umbrella to leave in your umbrella stand at home - that way you know if you need to grab your raincoat when rain is coming but it's still clear as you head outside...

[Jeff @ Jul 4th 2007 9:51AM]

It's an Ambient Information Network terminal in an umbrella... I wonder if it can be configured the same way the Orb can?

If so - check out : http://www.ambientdevices.com/developer/OrbWDK.pdf

Be a neat way to quietly leave a message for someone. Call it six usable colors by 3 or 4 easily distinguishable flash patterns and you've got a subtle and reasonably secure method of one way comms.

[LT73 @ Jul 4th 2007 12:05PM]

Who buys this crap??

Although I appreciate Engadget's enthusiasm for Technology, I'm often annoyed at their propensity for advertising cheap china-made garbage.

And we all wonder why our environment's going to hell...?

[Toritaiyo @ Jul 7th 2007 7:01PM]

I still like The Penguin's umbrella better. You know, from Batman...


(...hmm. maybe this is one of those "Well it seemed like a clever comment at the time" comments :)