Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Be A Beacon
By
KP KP
Published Apr 14, 2004
Modified Mar 6, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
KP KP
Published Apr 14, 2004
Modified Mar 6, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
While the true weather geek will have their own weather station (though our old landlord would likely have a seizure if we tried to mount anything on the precious building), there is an alternative for those who are more commitment phobic to the science. If you're just a regular geek, Ambient Devices has a product called the Ambient Weather Beacon. Basically it's a light that changes colors based on what the weather is. The device updates automatically via a wireless radio signal and can be configured to respond to one of any number of variables including current temperature, humidity, pollen count, UV index, "feels like" temperature and others. The light will pulse (we assume gently) when there is imminent precipitation or an active weather warning.
What really intrigues Gothamist is that it can also be used for other measurements. The fact that stock market volume, and homeland security threat level indicators are available is not as interesting as public opinion tracking on topics like whether Bush will be re-elected. So if we could take it a step further (and developer tools are available), we encourage the movement towards developing indicators for things like, current availability of a cab, crowd density at one of our favorite bars, or city funk factor (especially useful in the summer).
What would you want to measure?
Tagged
bars
bush
cat
gothamist
homeland security
radio
science
stock market
weather
KP KP
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Inside the luxury Greenpoint high-rise powered by a rumbling generator for over a month
The fallout from an electrical fire, among other safety and maintenance concerns, has sparked anger inside the 40-story tower known as The Greenpoint.
By
David Brand
Published Oct 12, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
The announcement comes as Mamdani faces mounting criticism from the left for his approach to policing.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
The announcement comes as Mamdani faces mounting criticism from the left for his approach to policing.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Company that won $23M NYPD building contract was investigated by LI watchdog
By
Ben Feuerherd
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
By
Michael Sol Warren
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .