The Cambridge, Mass.-based company Ambient Devices is a leading maker of "glanceable" forecasting devices using wireless technology ' is winning over praise since its start in the fall of 2001. The company aims not to crowd consumers with a number of features but rather produce objects that are so-called polite technology.

"Ambient devices are a new category of devices, I call them 'calm computing' -- you don't interact with it like a cell phone," said Ambient President David Rose. "These devices allow you to do one thing at a time; it's really pleasant, polite than other electronic devices that require a lot of attention. You'll never be bugged by your orb."

All of Ambient's devices use a wireless solution, the Ambient Information Network ' the Ambient Device Design, which creates an infrastructure of back-end service delivery ' wireless network ' a set of hardware specifications to turn everyday objects into glanceable information devices.

The company, aside from its products, also licenses this technology out to other companies aimed with the same goal such as GPS systems for cars allowing for individuals to know traffic congestion, or LG refrigerators with weather forecasts.

But their latest anticipated device is the "Forecasting Umbrella" set to debut in summer 2006 ' the "E Ink Weather Wizard" this fall.

The Forecasting Umbrella uses proprietary data-radio in the h'le, which receives accuweather.com information ' pulses when rain is forecast.

Battery-operated, its h'le also glows to remind a forgetful individual to take the umbrella with them.

Meanwhile, the E Ink Weather Wizard is a thin display mounted to the wall, refrigerator or used as a bedside clock, ' shows the "Atomic time" with current conditions ' the five-day forecast, according to the company.

Using batteries, it too connects to accuweather.com, updating the forecasts every hour, using weather icons ' giving temperature expectations.

"People have had an anticipatory attitude (for the new devices)," Rose said. "People really want more information about their weather. It's about putting the information exactly in the right place, in a golf bag for golfing conditions or a surfboard that knows waves."

But this is just two of many products however, which includes the 5-Day Weather Forecaster, Executive Dashboard, Weather Beacon ' the Ambient Orb.

In particular, the Executive Dashboard, the Weather Beacon ' Ambient Orb offer more than just weather forecasts but give individuals the ability to track any dynamic Internet-based information whether it is stocks or energy prices.

' the last two changes color depending on the information on the Ambient channels ranging from SandP 500, NASDAQ Composite, pollen count, traffic congestions, presidential approval ' even gardening, golfing or sailing conditions.

In particular, the weather colors correspond with the st'ard color-spectrum used on weather maps used by the Weather Channel among others the paging networks.

"Consumer attitudes to convergent devices are dreadful," he said. "The average person is not using their phone for sports scores or watching videos, instead we're looking for devices that don't complicate our lives."

He added, "People would rather have 100 devices that do one thing good, than a cell phone that does 100 things."

Related Links
Ambient Devices