“I’ll make it rain out there” - Rain Stick

I didn’t intend to start this post with another Frat Pack reference, but Vince Vaughn’s line from Wedding Crashers is my attempt at a catchy headline. Sue me.

Rain Stick is an accelerometer-based application that transforms your iPhone into one of those rain sticks with pebbles inside. But, rather than having to go down to Cost Plus or one of those cheesy souvenir shops all you have to do is whip our your iPhone.

On-screen displays show you how much “rain” is left before you have to turn your stick over again. Even nicer, there are several forest background scenes to choose from. You’d think the background was just a static image, but the cool thing about Rain Stick is that those backgrounds move as you move your iPhone up and down and left and right. It’s like your iPhone is a window to another dimension, and it’s an effect that has to be seen to believed.

Now, we have to say that Rain Stick makers Frontier Design Group, LLC really have the right attitude. Check out this hilarious copy from their website.

The design of Rain Stick has been achieved through use of previously unknown technologies discovered by the developers among ancient Mayan hieroglyphic scripts during a day trip excursion from their cramped and uncomfortable timeshare in Cozumel.

Unlike antique rain sticks (which are now rendered quaint and obsolete), Rain Stick should not be wielded in a threatening manner, for example as one might brandish a baseball bat. Rain Stick instead encourages non-violent negotiation and resolution to confrontations with hoodlums. Upon encountering a brute who insists on relieving you of your phone, simply start up Rain Stick and attempt to calm the ruffian down with the soothing sounds. (If that doesn’t work, simply hand the hooligan your iPhone and beg for mercy.) On the good side, no license or waiting period is necessary to use Rain Stick.

Rain Stick is a great way to show off the accelerometer features of the iPhone without having to shell out ten bucks for Super Monkey Ball. And if you use it for a couple minutes at a time, it just might calm you down on a stressful day. Check it out!

Useless Productivity Rating:

Cost: Free

Learn More:

• Rain Stick website
• Rain Stick support / instructions
• Get Rain Stick from the iPhone App Store