This innovative project is further proof that art and technology are two sides of the same coin. Is an iPod controlling umbrella a post-modern performance piece or a superp mp3 player hack? Clearly it is both.

This hack appears to use accelerometers to detect the motion of the umbrella. As the user turns, jumps or opens the umbrella the iPod is sent signals to activate the appropriate function.

“The iBrella is a special umbrella that acts as an iPod interface. One can control the iPod just by his physical interactions with the iBrella.

“Actually, you can ‘emulate’ all iPod commands solely by physical interactions with the iBrella e.g. opening and closing the iBrella refers to starting and pausing the iPod. Furthermore, you can select a random song by wildly shaking the iBrella in the air. Mode switching for different control modes is done by simply ’stabbing’ the iBrella in the air.”

link - iBrella [thanks utch]