Smartphone wind meter has no electronics

Vaavud is a Kickstarter gizmo that helps you share wind data for the best times to fly, sail, or show off in a storm.

Vaavud wind meter





The unit contains two magnets in the rotor that create a magnetic field when it spins. That effect can be measured by your phone's magnetometer, with the results displayed in meters per second, mph, knots, etc.

The developers say that so far, they've confirmed the gadget works with the sensor in the iPhone 4, 4S, and 5, as well as the Samsung Galaxy S2 and S3.

The idea is that you would take on-the-spot wind speed readings and then share them with friends and on online maps. Others can then decide if conditions are right to go sailing or fly an RC airplane.

I can already see CNN reporters whipping these out for effect in hurricane gusts.

With early-bird pledges all gone, Vaavud wind meters are now being offered to backers for $30 and up.

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