The “Fantastick” Mr. Jonas is a real keeper!
If you’ve ever lost an umbrella (is there anyone who hasn’t?), then you’ll be able to understand immediately what a boon this “smart umbrella” really is.
The digital accessories company Fantastick is releasing the world’s first smart umbrella on August 8, 2016 and it can be yours for the low, low price of 10,778 yen (about US$105).
“$105? For a single umbrella? Why, I could buy 5 umbrellas for that price!” is what you must be thinking, and you would probably be right. Consider, though, why you might need to buy 5 umbrellas instead of just using the same one for the rest of your life (or until it outlives its usefulness). In 2014, Sunnycomb, a weather-related blog, conducted a “Global Umbrella Survey” and found that on average, people lose roughly 3 to 5 umbrellas throughout the course of their lifetime.
▼ The need for a smart umbrella might be more applicable to men…
Since these stats say you are pretty likely to end up spending about $100 on umbrellas anyway, you might as well have one that’s totally cool, and Jonas promises to stay by your side forever.
Once you’ve installed the associated app and connected Jonas to your smartphone via Bluetooth, he will let you know if you’ve been cruel enough to leave him behind by sending an alert to your phone. It also works in reverse; if you leave your smartphone behind, Jonas will vibrate and notify you with an alarm.
▼Left Jonas behind? He won’t let you get too far without him!
Jonas does more than just keep you out of the lost-and-found. The umbrella downloads the weekly weather forecast so that one look at Jonas before you head out the door will help you decide whether he needs to come along. You’ll also get incoming call, message, and email alerts from your smartphone through the umbrella!
Not only is Jonas a handsome lad, he’s classy too. Made of a premium pongee cloth, an aluminum handle, and available in an array of sophisticated colors, Jonas gets his juice from 4 AAA batteries.
If you are ready to make a lifelong commitment to one umbrella and one umbrella only, you can pick one up at the official Fantastick store or pre-order online at MiNDEPA.
Check out the video below to find out more!
Fantastick
Address: 4 Chome-29-7 Jingūmae, Shibuya-ku, Tōkyō-to 150-0001
東京都渋谷区神宮前4-29-7 原宿V-1ビル１
Hours: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Website
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?
Japan has only one airport named after a samurai, so let’s check out Kochi Ryoma【Photos】
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
7-Eleven Japan’s sakura sweets season is underway right now!
Japanese jeweler launches new engagement and wedding rings with Sanrio character Tuxedo Sam
Shoe brand Clarks Torhill teams up with Pokémon for the nostalgic starter shoes of your choice
We ordered the biggest steak we could buy with 10,000 yen at steakhouse chain Ikinari Steak
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan just had its first same-month foreign tourist decrease in four years
Burning through cash just to throw things away tops list of headaches when moving house in Japan
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
7-Eleven Japan’s sakura sweets season is underway right now!
Japanese jeweler launches new engagement and wedding rings with Sanrio character Tuxedo Sam
Shoe brand Clarks Torhill teams up with Pokémon for the nostalgic starter shoes of your choice
We ordered the biggest steak we could buy with 10,000 yen at steakhouse chain Ikinari Steak
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Japanese city paints well-known prostitution street bright yellow, adds fish art【Video】
We visit Japan’s new Sriracha vending machines to get our spicy red-sauce fix【Pics】
Watching Studio Ghibli’s first-ever all-CG anime was weird in weird ways【SoraReview】
Internet survey sheds light on how Japanese women deal with the hair ‘down there’
Elementary and junior high students speak out on Japan’s strangest school rules
Ghibli’s Kiki’s Delivery Service returns to theaters with first-ever IMAX screenings and remaster