I’m Mobile As I Wanna Be (but always in search of a power outlet)

August 24th, 2005 by Eric

Does it feel like you are Power Plug Detective and hyperextend those neck muscles every time you are in the airport? Your notebook, MP3 player, mobile phone, PDA all thirsty for power to serve their master. You search far and wide in the airport for that beige faceplate, hoping that it’s conveniently near a chair or bench so you can squeeze out a couple more minutes of that phone conversation, finish off the report or presentation on your notebook, or fuel your MP3 player for that long airplane flight ahead. It has been a while since I needed to travel, so when I went to the airport, I couldn’t stop but notice this rather large kiosk “powerport.”

It has most of the basic needs and then some for the mobile in you. You can check your email, get WiFi access for your notebook, and even a few powerplugs with a shelf to rest your device on. I guess all it needs now is a bartender with a stocked cabinet of refreshments and you have yourself..oh wait, Starbucks and others have already done that concept. Well, I digress. While “powerport” is probably not a new concept, my comment would be that it’s not exactly practical. What they should ideally do is retrofit all those airport benches near each gate with power plugs and fold out trays, much like what college lecture halls and newer airplanes are doing. How many of you have seen people resting their notebook on their lap or their roller bag? Hmmm, now that I think about it, each chair might need a surge protector, and two or three outlets per person. If you wanted to go one step further, you could outfit those chairs with mini WiFi access points to get great signal coverage and make some extra revenue. Well, progress is great to talk about, how about someone go and implement it? Maybe next time I’m in the airport, I won’t have to trip over the black cords from devices or people sitting on the floor, just to get a little extra from their phone, notebook, or gadget.

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