Vodafone creates 'James Bond' umbrella for festival-goers

Vodafone has unveiled a conceptual umbrella for festival-goers ensuring that mobile signal and charging are never a problem - no matter which mud bath they're in.

The 'Booster Brolly' not only charges revellers' handsets by solar power, but also boosts the signal of them. With the brolly's handle acting as a giant antenna, music fanatics are guaranteed both a decent reception and 3G wireless internet access.

The umbrella, designed by Kenneth Tong of University College London, has been likened to a bit of 'James Bond' kit, thanks to all high-tech gadgets included within. It even includes an LED light - perfect for finding tents in the dark - as well as a handset holder.

Even brolly-owners camping outside the festival environment are sure to be a hit with their fellow campers. That's because the Booster Brolly enhances the signal of all Vodafone users around them, not just their own.

"We've put in all of this technology but its not heavy, its not big - and it looks good. In fact, it's a bit of a James Bond umbrella - you can't tell what it does from the outside," theinquirer.net quotes Tong as saying.

According to mirror.co.uk, the super brolly can expect its first real test in two weeks time, when it will debut at the Isle Of Wight Festival.

Danielle Crook, director of brand marketing at Vodafone, added that the point of the venture was to create something practical that also packs a punch in the innovation department. "The concept Booster Brolly does just that by merging cutting edge technology with a trusted and reliable British umbrella," she said.