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
NY Archdiocese will soon settle $800M clergy sexual abuse claims
The deal would compensate over 1,300 alleged victims and help the church avoid bankruptcy.
By
Arya Sundaram
Published Oct 24, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.
By
Arya Sundaram
Peepapalooza: NYC is heading to the Hudson Valley to watch the leaves
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
Sean Carlson
NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
3 slates vying to run Jersey City school board as city stares down major tax hikes
By
Michael Sol Warren
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 .