Popgadget Personal Technology for Women: Weather forcasting umbrella, plan for puddles

Weather forcasting umbrella, plan for puddles

After a week or two of sporadic rain and sudden downpours in New York, I went in search of a more decent umbrella. As fate would have it, I stumbled upon the smartest umbrella on the market, the Weather Forecasting Umbrella. Seriously. It's a smart umbrella that provides visual weather-warning cues and also features a dual-canopy design to help it be gust-resistant.

What I love is that the base of the umbrella illuminates to alert the user to approaching inclement weather. The handle has a built-in radio receiver that allows it to receive weather data for 150 U.S. locations from Accuweather.com. Efficient and effective, the information interface operates on a proprietary wireless network, keeping it safely protected from interference from other wireless devices.

A single C battery powers a LED located at the base of the handle, which then flashes in proportion to the likelihood of precipitation in your area; if there is a 100% chance, it flashes rapidly, and if there is a 10% chance, it flickers slowly. The single battery provides up to a full year of power.

I can't speak with total accuracy here, but I have a feeling that this device is more useful than the weather men and women who seem to depend on an array of more technological and less-effective means for providing accurate and helpful on-the-spot information.

Price: $139.95 at Hammacher Schlemmer.

Posted by chrissie Category: wearables
Tags: umbrella
Email this | Comments (32)

Comments (32)

Victoria Ross:

I absolutely love the idea of this umbrella. I would love to own it.

Victoria Ross | November 16, 2007 11:43 PM

November 16, 2007 23:43

David Bertolo:

Rome is boring when it rains, darlings

David Bertolo | November 16, 2007 11:49 PM

November 16, 2007 23:49

Gary Miller:

Amzing, more technology then Apollo 13:)

Gary Miller | November 17, 2007 12:12 AM

November 17, 2007 00:12

Jacqueline Collins:

what a cool umbrella

Jacqueline Collins | November 17, 2007 12:14 AM

November 17, 2007 00:14

Denise Mower:

This is incredible! i would love to have it!

Denise Mower | November 17, 2007 1:07 AM

November 17, 2007 01:07

janet lindsey:

nice umbrella

janet lindsey | November 17, 2007 2:52 AM

November 17, 2007 02:52

Robert McGill:

What a clever umbrella! I believe I like the canopy on top almost as much as the weather forecasting ability.

Robert McGill | November 17, 2007 5:29 AM

November 17, 2007 05:29

Vicky Boackle:

great umbrella

Vicky Boackle | November 17, 2007 5:55 AM

November 17, 2007 05:55

Mark Fine:

Now all we need is rain....

Mark Fine | November 17, 2007 6:35 AM

November 17, 2007 06:35

hazel hunt:

hazel hunt | November 17, 2007 8:09 AM

November 17, 2007 08:09

amy mayer:

is this the coolest thing or what!?

amy mayer | November 17, 2007 9:22 AM

November 17, 2007 09:22

Sylvia Belle:

This is an unbelivable umbrella that lets you know when to carry it.

Sylvia Belle | November 17, 2007 9:40 AM

November 17, 2007 09:40

Kaye Knight:

Unbelievable -- this is COOL
I want this one so bad

Kaye Knight | November 17, 2007 10:19 AM

November 17, 2007 10:19

Ruth Utterback:

This is great and I would love to have one

Ruth Utterback | November 17, 2007 10:29 AM

November 17, 2007 10:29

sally wess:

what a cool prize for a great site.

sally wess | November 17, 2007 10:54 AM

November 17, 2007 10:54

Sheila Wanner:

This looks like a great item to have !!

Sheila Wanner | November 17, 2007 11:40 AM

November 17, 2007 11:40

Dominique Jeuge:

Everybody needs one of these - what a smart idea!

Dominique Jeuge | November 17, 2007 3:38 PM

November 17, 2007 15:38

Shaun Davis:

Wow! That is great!

Shaun Davis | November 17, 2007 4:06 PM

November 17, 2007 16:06

Autumn Brown:

Great idea!!!

Autumn Brown | November 17, 2007 5:28 PM

November 17, 2007 17:28

Edward Delfino:

I hope it can predict other things too!

Edward Delfino | November 17, 2007 5:32 PM

November 17, 2007 17:32

Sheryl:

This could not be less accurate than the weatherman and it will be useful once I have the information where as the weatherman has no use in the actual weather. Thanks!

Sheryl | November 17, 2007 7:31 PM

November 17, 2007 19:31

Mihaela Day:

Count me in please !!

Mihaela Day | November 17, 2007 8:08 PM

November 17, 2007 20:08

Tiffany G:

Wonderful Umbrella!!

Tiffany G | November 18, 2007 12:02 AM

November 18, 2007 00:02

Kathy Scott:

Wow, what an awesome idea.