14 DAY TRIAL // At Vodafone's request, scientists from the University College in London (UCL) came up with a new type of accessory that is quite likely to gain a lot of fans in a relatively short period of time.
The Booster Brolly hybrid umbrella is basically your ordinary shade-provider, doubled as an on-the-go energy source.
Thus, the Booster Brolly has custom-made solar panels stitched to its canopy, which means that, rather than being allowed to mess with your personal conform, the sun's rays are put to work and made to generate the solar energy all true environmentalists are crazy about.
Earth Techling explains that the aforementioned sun panels eventually end up charging a battery embedded in the umbrella’s handle.
Naturally, the owner has full access to this energy supply by means of a simple USB port.
This means that one can easily charge his/her smartphone or the like while enjoying a walk in the park during a sunny day.
Given the fact that Vodafone is first and foremost a telecommunications company, it was only common sense that the Booster Brolly should also have a micro-antenna somehow incorporated in its design.
Thus, a phone's typical 3G wireless signal is boosted to some extent, making it easier for the person holding this high-tech umbrella to surf the web or check his/her e-mails.
According to the same source, PhD Kenneth Tong from the UCL explained how “The antenna concealed at the top of the umbrella’s central pole uses the same solar power source to obtain a low strength network signal.”
The scientist also added that “The built-in low noise booster then amplifies this signal, within a 1-metre radius of the canopy, allowing smartphone users around the Booster Brolly to make and receive calls, exchange text messages and even browse the Internet with maximum signal strength.”
Interestingly enough, the Booster Brolly can also be used as a flashlight during night time, seeing how a LED allows it to give out a sufficient amount of lighting.
As far as we are concerned, this new hybrid umbrella is likely to soon make our walks in the park much more enjoyable.