Allen just sent a link for an upcoming product from Ambient Devices, the aptly named Ambient Umbrella…

According to the info sheet:

If rain is forecast, the handle of this umbrella glows so you won’t forget it. The Forecasting Umbrella tunes into AccuWeather.com predictions for your specific geographic location. Ambient’s proprietary data-radio in the handle receives accuweather.com information and pulses when rain is forecast. If the chances of rain are 100% the light in the handle will pulse 100 times per minute. If rain is less likely the pulse rate decreases porpotionally. For example is there is a 60% chance of rain it pulses once per second. 30% is once every few seconds.

So the ambient light in the handle is supposed to be a good indication on whether or not you’ll need the umbrella? I would think that the rain spattering the sidewalk and/or the ominous gray color of the sky might be just as good an indicator.

I have to say that the picture below cracks me up. The lady has the umbrella open, but it is not raining. She is looking incredulously at the handle as it blinks away – with no rain in sight. She’s thinking, “Okay, light’s blinking but no rain…where is the rain?”

Close the umbrella, already!