Vodafone's umbrella can increase phone signal

Vodafone's Booster Brolly is nothing like your average umbrella. It can charge your phone or increase your signal when you're in a remote location.

According to Mashable, the umbrella developed by Dr. Kenneth Tong features 12 hand-stitched silicon solar cells stored in the umbrella's handle that charges the phone's battery. The handle has a USB port that connects and charges the phone. It could take up to three hours to complete the process. The Booster Brolly is also equipped with built-in antennas to help boost the phone's 3G signal within a meter (3.28 ft.) radius. Even with all these features, TechSpot that the umbrella weighs about 800 grams (1.76 lbs.) Dr. Tong told TechSpot "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." Vodafone says the Booster Brolly will be released to the public at the Isle of Wight Festival on July 22nd.