WeatherBug Corporate Blog http://blog.weatherbug.com/Corporate/index.php? en MHartley@aws.com Copyright 2008 2008-03-13T21:00:01-05:00 Microsoft Silverlight Putting WeatherBug On The Map At MIX 08 http://blog.weatherbug.com/index.php?/corporate/microsoft_silverlight_putting_weatherbug_on_the_map_at_mix_08/ During MIX ‘08, WeatherBug was presented as a featured application using Microsoft’s Silverlight technology. The Silverlight powered WeatherBug application was given a full round of applause as it actually showed snow falling onto the Silverlight application during the course of the Silverlight presentation. The new Silverlight based WeatherBug application is to be available for use with select Nokia brand mobile phones. Should anyone wish to try out the application today for themselves, WeatherBug has provided this Silverlight demo located at this web address. Silverlight has opened up new creative doors for application developers as it allows an entirely new level of interactivity for the end user. Bundle this with critical real time data such as WeatherBug’s live weather data stream, and you end up with a very compelling push forward in credible development.

As you can see from this recent WeatherBug interview, the verdict is that Silverlight is enabling companies such as WeatherBug to take important real life applications such as providing live, local weather to mobile users, then creating an entirely new way to interact with the application itself. WeatherBug is very happy with their Silverlight development.


Here soon, you will be able to try this and other Silverlight applications out for yourselves with the Nokia S60, Series 40 devices and Nokia Internet Tablets once Silverlight is made available for the Symbian platform. Until then, I would suggest trying out the latest Beta version of the WeatherBug Silverlight application. While it may be a bit difficult to do it justice with words, I can tell you that you have not likely tried anything like this before!

]]> 2008-03-13T21:00:01-05:00 Your Local Weather Streamed To The Sharp AQUOS LCD TV http://blog.weatherbug.com/index.php?/corporate/your_local_weather_streamed_to_the_sharp_aquos_lcd_tv/ Sharp’s new AQUOS LCD TVs have opened up of minds and hearts of the most die-hard TV enthusiast by providing instant access to important local weather information via a new partnership with WeatherBug. The AQUOS LCD TV will also provide users with stock quotes and local traffic data over the new Sharp content network known as AQUOS Net. Highlighting how WeatherBug is working with Sharp to bring TV sets further into the 21st century was discussed during a press conference held at CES 2008, in Las Vegas. Important points touched on during the event included the desire to bring forth dynamic, personalized content that provided new added value at the already impressive progression in LCD television sets. And as CES attendees discovered, receiving live, local weather data in widget format is definitely progress. WeatherBug’s AQUOS widget will also allow AQUOS owners to customize their daily weather feed for local daily/weekly weather forecasts, live camera images, Doppler radar and of course, severe weather alerts.

Other notable participants in the new Sharp Net content portal include NBC Sports, NASDAQ and Traffic.com.

]]> 2008-01-17T03:36:00-05:00 Verizon And WeatherBug - Making Mobility Count http://blog.weatherbug.com/index.php?/corporate/verizon_and_weatherbug_making_mobility_count/

Dateline, September, 2007. WeatherBug and Verizon announced a partnership that changes the way mobile users stay informed with the latest weather forecasts and critical weather updates as severe weather systems move in. Verizon is now using their V Cast technology to provide subscribers with a region by region outlook of the latest weather conditions, while continuing to make sure that hourly updates are made available throughout the day.

To access V CAST from your Verizon mobile phone:

* Select the “Menu” button
* Scroll left to the “Get It Now” tab of the top navigation
* Select either the “Picture & Video” or the
“Get PIX & FLIX” option
* Select the “V CAST Video” option
* The “V CAST” Home page will display
* Select the “News” category
* Select the “Weather” category
* Select “WeatherBug” and the main menu will display

This agreement with Verizon only goes to further illustrate the importance of live, local weather, delivered to WeatherBug users in the format that you want it the most.

Those of you who are not currently subscribing to Verizon’s V Cast service can still enjoy access to the largest privately owned weather station network in the US. Just follow this link and utilize one of the number of options that match your current mobile carrier.

]]> 2007-10-04T08:30:01-05:00 WeatherBug Protect and Sprint Nextel http://blog.weatherbug.com/index.php?/corporate/weatherbug_protect_and_sprint_nextel/ Staying on top of the latest severe weather is critical, especially when considering the impact it can have on live football game. To respond to this need, WeatherBug is providing NFL game officials on the field with real-time weather data as it happens via Sprint Nextel. Alerts provided by WeatherBug to NFL officials will include the heat index, lightning detection warnings, sudden wind gusts, along with NWS weather warnings.

So how does it work? The WeatherBug application running on the phone will report its location via Location based services (GPS) of the cell phone. WeatherBug receives the data from thousands of their own proprietary weather stations. This live information is then used to alert NFL referees of any severe weather threats that are in their proximity.

Understanding that the weather can do much more than merely rain out a game, is key to respecting the technology behind this in-game weather alert system. Preventing heat stroke, lightning deaths, among other incidents is always on the minds of those on the field and off.

Thankfully, WeatherBug and Sprint Nextel are able to empower game officials to make better judgments calls as they relate to severe weather as it happens, rather than waiting for delayed information from other sources.

Technorati Profile

]]> 2007-09-18T20:23:00-05:00 Introducing The WeatherBug Canadian Network! http://blog.weatherbug.com/index.php?/corporate/introducing_the_weatherbug_canadian_network/ On August 15th, 2007, WeatherBug, JRI and the Canadian Wheat Board teamed up to create the WeatherBug Canadian Network. Working with a number of partners, WeatherBug is planning more than 600+ weather stations in operation throughout Western Canada’s farms, schools and businesses help to provide the country’s consumers and businesses with the latest critical weather data. This new weather network is a real milestone as it allows the Canadian agricultural industry to keep up on the dynamic North American weather, ensuring that the weather data received is both timely and accurate.

To check this out for yourself, simply head on over to Maps.Weatherbug.com. Then set the page to hybrid mode, zoom in on either Winnipeg or Saskatoon and check out the weather stations for yourself! Just remember to roll the mouse over each weather station, as clicking on them in Firefox will not bring any data up. If you would like to check out the Canadian weather in a more traditional sense, just head on over to http://Weather.ca.WeatherBug.com/ for the latest Canadian weather.

]]> 2007-08-17T20:27:00-05:00 WeatherBug Is A Perfect Fit For Google Maps http://blog.weatherbug.com/index.php?/corporate/weatherbug_is_a_perfect_fit_for_google_maps/ I find it rewarding when reading a rave review like this. It’s great to see Google admiring the fantastic work our developers have done with WeatherBug Mapplets for Google Maps. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better - Google includes WeatherBug in a Google created video highlighting the latest features being offered by Google Maps.

I think it just goes to prove that when applied in new, clever formats, WeatherBug data can offer much more than local weather conditions. WeatherBug can also help you plan for traveling as well, much like we see demonstrated below.




]]> 2007-07-17T05:54:00-05:00 WeatherBug provides Google Maps with new functionality! http://blog.weatherbug.com/index.php?/corporate/weatherbug_provides_google_maps_with_new_functionality/ Have you used Google Maps lately? Google and WeatherBug are working together to bring accurate weather information into Google Map’s existing user interface - check it out for yourself!

Thanks to Google’s Mapplet technology and WeatherBug’s enormous weather station network, we will be able to make your summer time travel easier to plan for, in addition to being safer with regard to random storm conditions as you are traveling. With each planned trip, you will be able to view weather, traffic conditions and even the upcoming forcast without ever leaving the Google map page itself.

]]> 2007-06-28T00:50:00-05:00 Hurricane Preparedness And Understanding http://blog.weatherbug.com/index.php?/corporate/hurricane_preparedness_and_understanding/

(Photo above borrowed from http://community-weather.weatherbug.com)

If there is one thing we can learn from the events that took place during Katrina, it is the realization of the destructive power that a hurricane can yield. That and how little most people really understand the kind of raw power pushing these kinds of storms into our communities. 

As of June 1st, 2007, a brand new Atlantic Hurricane Season has begun. This time around, with the helpful resources provided by WeatherBug, we hope to see the nation’s preparedness levels at an all time high.

Enter the WeatherBug Hurricane Command Center

Tracking the latest hurricane related weather, timely hurricane news and simply making sure you have all the data you need to stay a step ahead of these monstrous storms is job one for WeatherBug. The WeatherBug Hurricane Command Center is designed to provide you with the latest in hurricane safety, facts and tracking. In addition to this, WeatherBug also provides the latest exclusive video and weather forecasts to make sure any journey to the gulf region, is a safe one.

I would also recommend making sure your mobile device is running the latest offerings from the WeatherBug Mobile - just to be safe in the event of a fast moving storm sneaking up on you. This way you have immediate alerts to any weather dangers heading in your direction.

]]> 2007-06-05T23:01:00-05:00 The New WeatherBug Alert! http://blog.weatherbug.com/index.php?/corporate/the_new_weatherbug_alert/ In WeatherBug’s ongoing quest to meet the needs of their users, WeatherBug is proud to launch their latest app for Windows XP/Vista - WeatherBug Alert!

WeatherBug Alert was specifically designed with a mission: making sure you are “in the know” when severe weather is headed your way. The data is streamed to you live, in real-time over your active Internet connection. When the application is in standby mode, WeatherBug Alert gives off a similar appearance to that of the original application, maintaining a watchful eye in your system tray. One area where they differ however, is that WeatherBug Alert opens up to give you the latest weather conditions from within your default browser.

And if that is not enough, this application also runs with such a small memory footprint that you may very well forget that it is keeping an eye out for any sudden weather changes.

Let’s review:
1) WeatherBug Alert will run in the web browser you already use already with one click access to WeatherBug.com.
2) No pop-ups whatsoever. As severe weather develops, you will see is the flashing icon next to your clock alerting you to severe weather changes - live.
3) Maintain a clear visual of the current temp, without the need for more robust software. When you require more weather information, just click on the icon and you will be immediately brought to our website in the web browser of your choosing.

Your WeatherBug - now presented in a new feather light format.

]]> 2007-05-07T10:55:00-05:00 WeatherBug, Nokia Widgets And Web Run-Time http://blog.weatherbug.com/index.php?/corporate/weatherbug_nokia_widgets_and_web_run_time/ WeatherBug is certainly not new to the mobile world and after having tremendous success seen with the WeatherBug Mac Widget(s), it seemed only natural to rock the new Widgets and Web Run-Time abilities that are coming to light with the Nokia S60. Speaking for myself, I believe this framework will give dynamic content providers like WeatherBug a real edge in the ever-changing mobile world. Adding something more dynamic than self-updating RSS feeds to the mobile platform was, indeed, a long time coming. And I am thrilled to see WeatherBug at the forefront of this developing technology.

So when can we expect to see all of this new and inventive stuff coming to a provider near you? Based on what I have been hearing, it looks like Q3 of this year, you will be able to get your hands around the Web Run-Time and Widget tools themselves. As for that slick looking Nokia S60, that is something you will have to wait a little longer for. You can expect to see it making an appearance in Q1 of 2008.

Update: I just got word that you can see an example of the WeatherBug Widget for the S60 - today!! Just click this link, then click select Widget and then WeatherBug.

]]> 2007-04-20T19:51:00-05:00