What is Ambient?
We’re non-mad scientists.
No, we don’t have an evil laugh. But we do have a compulsion to investigate and innovate – specifically, better ways to communicate information. Here’s what our chosen subject sounds like when it’s in research paper from the labs at MIT: “The use of physical fixtures and objects to display temporal information within an architectural space in a subtle and aesthetically pleasing way.” Here’s what it sounds like when the average non-scientist uses it at home: “Oooooh, cool…”
Read on to see what we’ve been working on lately
Energy Devices
The Ambient Stock OrbEnergy Orb
The Energy Orb displays real-time price of energy in a simple, elegant way. Which is probably why several leading utilities are supplying them to their customers. But whether you’re in San Francisco or Baltimore, the latest data is always available for broadcast to the Orbs over Ambient’s network.
Energy Orbs are a proven solution for utilities seeking to reduce the demand for electricity by providing consumers visual representations of demand response program pricing. As Jeff Smith of PG&E put it, “The orb is an exemplary tool of conservation ... and a really fun way to encourage customers to conserve energy.”
For a glimpse of actual results, just check out these reports
Energy Joule
The Ambient Home Joule
As Demand Response becomes the norm, utilities can encourage consumers to shift demand –and save money at the same time – by providing them an Energy Joule.
The Energy Joule allows utilities to easily notify consumers about current pricing and demand levels. The By glancing at the Joule at any time of the day, consumers can tell if/how they should be changing their behavior:
If it is red, it indicates high pricing and encourages consumers to shift discretionary use of electricity. Yellow indicates above average pricing and encourages reduction in demand, and green indicates average pricing.
In addition to the colored backlight, the Joule has a screen with two fill bars that show (1) the real time price per kW – the higher the bar; the more expensive the price and (2) the amount of energy being used in the home right now – the higher the bar, the greater
the consumption.
The screen is also capable of displaying the daily weather forecast for a local region.
This provides an “evergreen” quality to the device, making it valuable to the consumer even when electricity usage isn’t at the top of their minds. (like during non-peak
usage seasons.)
Consumer Devices
Cirrus and 7-Day
The Cirrus 7-Day Forecaster
The 7-Day Forecaster continuously displays forecast data for 150 U.S. locations from AccuWeather.com — no PC or internet connection required. Simply plug it in, and voila: You’ll always know what to expect from the elements. Track daily high and low temperature, precipitation, wind speed and direction, UV index, pollen, and air quality alerts. These 7-Day models even feature alerts for pollen and air quality.
The 7-Day ForecasterChoose the sleek Cirrus model or the original 7-Day design. The 7-Day has a color-changing backlight, while the Cirrus has a more subtle glow wheel to indicate
temperature at a glance.
For a complete list of the cities displayed on this device, please refer to our list of
forecast locations.
Flurry and Mist
Weather information, brought right to your bedside. These ingenious devices eliminate the complexity of alarm clocks, replacing fiddling and frustration with intuitive access to clock and alarm functions, plus a 2-day weather forecast from AccuWeather.com.
Mist has all of the features of our Flurry Alarm Clock, plus an FM radio with RDS (Radio Data System), and Ambient's InTouchTM Messaging Service.
The first thing you'll notice about these alarm clocks is the very large, easy-to-read time display. (Yes, it's dimmable.) We selected an amber backlight to make the display easy to read in the dark, without searing those little numbers into your retinas — 
Flurry Alarm Clockamber doesn't cause momentary blindness like white or blue displays can.
Like many of our products, the Flurry and Mist include a forecast from AccuWeather.com. We've provided a 2-day weather snapshot, so you’ll always know what to expect for the day ahead. The forecast is automatically updated 
Mist Radio Alarm throughout the day so it’s immediately available whenever you need it. No need to wait for an update at the top of the hour on the radio or TV, or even for a webpage to load.
It’s everything you need in the morning – minus coffee – and all you have to do is open your eyes.
Sports Devices
If only you could watch every game of the season…
Ambient’s suite of sports devices allow you to follow the action even when you can’t watch the game. Great for following teams outside your local area or following the home team when turning on the TV isn’t an option. The Ambient ScoreCast Devices update wirelessly with the box score information you need, as well as the schedule and standings for all the teams in the league.
SportsCast : Baseball 
Centerfield : Baseball
Fridge
The Weather and Information Center Refrigerator by LG Electronics allows Ambient to provide information you want right where you want it. No need to remember to check the 
LG Information Center weather – now it’s right in front of you anytime you grab a snack.
The Fridge receives weather for 5 cities in your region automatically and allows you to customize the information right down to your ZIP code, using information from accuweather.com. Will it be a day to cozy up with a warm bowl of chili or cool down with some gazpacho? Never wonder again.
Which one
makes sense faster?
Before a typical website can even load, Ambient information is already processed by your brain. Without distracting you from whatever else you were doing.
This stuff’s as much fun to make as it is to use.
Meet some of the folks behind
Ambient innovations.
