The following article is part of a special insert in the June 3-9 issue of The Reader, a weekly newspaper focusing on the area’s culture. The insert, titled disRUPT, is the result of a partnership between The Reader, Scott Technology Center – an incubator and data center aiming to enhance technology and innovation in Omaha’s business community – and Silicon Prairie News.
Storm watching takes a new twist with WeatherFix. The geo-location weather technology app by the Omaha-based firm Êelios (a subsidiary of 21st Century Systems, Inc.) offers users precision forecasts with “pin-drop” accuracy.
“The whole idea of WeatherFix is to provide a level of personalization relative to weather and your daily life,” said Dave Andersen, co-founder and CEO of Êelios.
Using technology originally developed for the U.S. Army, WeatherFix allows consumers to pinpoint specific geographic locations, lock on a destination or track personal weather preferences while en route to a designated endpoint — all while receiving continuously updated weather information.
“Weather is very commoditized,” Andersen explained. “Most people expect to get a weather forecast and not pay for it; but that’s kind of a general forecast. Probably, for a lot of people that’s good enough; but, many want something more focused, more robust and able to be customized to meet their needs.”
For example, WeatherFix delivers location-specific weather information, “finds and follows” users and updates seamlessly as users’ locations change. Global weather forecasts are available, as well.
“It’s exciting to just create something new and different in the marketplace and receive comments and feedback — criticisms, too, but that’s all good,” Andersen said of WeatherFix.
Andersen added developing WeatherFix locally (area software developer Hasani Hunter, along with Êelios’ management team, helped spearhead the launch and creation of the iPhone application), illustrates Omaha’s commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation.
“If you’ve got an iPhone, go to the iTunes store and download or buy the WeatherFix app,” he encouraged. Both free and paid versions of the technology are available.
