When will we see USB ports in hotels, cafes, airports?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › When will we see USB ports in hotels, cafes, airports?

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#1253811 9-Mar-2015 10:33

dafman: When are cafes going to start offering built in USB ports at tables? ... We now live in a world where everyone is tethered to their phone or tablet, yet this is something most service providers have yet to wake up to?

I put my phone on a charger overnight, every night, and that pretty much gets me through a whole day. Maybe 3 or 4 times a month I might stick it on the charger for a while when I get home to get a little battery boost for the evening's browsin but that's unusual.

Now, I know you were talking about charging, but this whole "everyone is tethered to their phone or tablet" thing #*@%$ me off sometimes. Call me old fashioned (my teenaged daughter certainly does) but when I go to cafes I like to have a coffee and talk to the people I'm sharing time with. I think it's the height of rudeness to arrange to meet someone then spend 30 minutes face down over your device, pretty much ignoring the people you're with. Smartphones, etc. are wonderful, versatile, useful things but some people need to learn to leave them in their pockets once in a while.

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#1253818 9-Mar-2015 10:41

andrew027: Now, I know you were talking about charging, but this whole "everyone is tethered to their phone or tablet" thing #*@%$ me off sometimes. Call me old fashioned (my teenaged daughter certainly does) but when I go to cafes I like to have a coffee and talk to the people I'm sharing time with. I think it's the height of rudeness to arrange to meet someone then spend 30 minutes face down over your device, pretty much ignoring the people you're with. Smartphones, etc. are wonderful, versatile, useful things but some people need to learn to leave them in their pockets once in a while.

+1
I think that there could be a niche market for a cafe that installed cellphone blocking devices (as used in some theatres) and advertised themselves as a cell-free zone where conversation was encouraged.

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wasabi2k

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#1253866 9-Mar-2015 11:16

Sideface:
+1
I think that there could be a niche market for a cafe that installed cellphone blocking devices (as used in some theatres) and advertised themselves as a cell-free zone where conversation was encouraged.

Yeah, government organisations get really angry when you mess with frequencies, particularly blocking them. Liability if someone can't call 111, bleed affecting neighbours etc.

Regarding USB power outlets - it costs extra vs a standard plug (economies of scale) and has less utility than a standard socket. Plus how often do you think these places refurbish and replace power outlets?

Technofreak

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#1253893 9-Mar-2015 11:40

Until there's a universal standard for USB charging that everyone adheres to, providing USB wall sockets is a waste of time. As previously mentioned Apple do their own thing no matter what everyone else agrees to do.

Hotel three pin sockets or the lack of them in suitable locations is a real problem. I charge my phone at night and use it as a bedside clock and alarm clock. Having a power point close to the bed is important for me.

Very often there is only two sockets, one for the bedside light and the other for the alarm clock radio which very often has an Apple socket so that you can plug in a mEPhone for charging and playing music. That gets unplugged to allow my phone charger to be used.

I don't know why they even bother putting alarm clocks in hotel rooms, the time is nearly always incorrect and some smart arse has set the alarm for a very uncivilised hour. Even if I don't need to use the socket I very often unplug it anyway to avoid being woken up in the middle of the night.

I don't see the need for cafes and the like to provide phone charging facilities except for places like airports where there is a need for this.

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scottjpalmer

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#1253905 9-Mar-2015 11:56

Saw these in the Christchurch Koru Lounge yesterday and thought of you lot.

Seems like a decent solution to me.

Jaxson

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#1253911 9-Mar-2015 12:03

power banks are the way to go for this, but I agree it would be nice to see in hotels etc.
As a point of difference a café offering this option would be cool.

lol to think that nokia's candybar phones could last over 2 weeks. We have gone backwards as well as forwards on features.

Makes one wonder about taking battery devices on planes. There is such a deal made about couriering anything with batteries these days, but you can walk on with power banks etc.

richms

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#1253943 9-Mar-2015 12:48

scottjpalmer: Saw these in the Christchurch Koru Lounge yesterday and thought of you lot.

Seems like a decent solution to me.

Would be better if they were universal sockets instead of only suiting travelers from Australia.

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dafman

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#1253968 9-Mar-2015 13:04

andrew027:
dafman: When are cafes going to start offering built in USB ports at tables? ... We now live in a world where everyone is tethered to their phone or tablet, yet this is something most service providers have yet to wake up to?

I put my phone on a charger overnight, every night, and that pretty much gets me through a whole day. Maybe 3 or 4 times a month I might stick it on the charger for a while when I get home to get a little battery boost for the evening's browsin but that's unusual.

Now, I know you were talking about charging, but this whole "everyone is tethered to their phone or tablet" thing #*@%$ me off sometimes. Call me old fashioned (my teenaged daughter certainly does) but when I go to cafes I like to have a coffee and talk to the people I'm sharing time with. I think it's the height of rudeness to arrange to meet someone then spend 30 minutes face down over your device, pretty much ignoring the people you're with. Smartphones, etc. are wonderful, versatile, useful things but some people need to learn to leave them in their pockets once in a while.

You can top up the charge on your phone at the cafe without necessarily using it ... so no need to ignore your friends. And if you are on the cafe on your own, well all good, no problem with using your tethered phone

allan

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#1254077 9-Mar-2015 15:24

Jaxson: power banks are the way to go for this, but I agree it would be nice to see in hotels etc.
As a point of difference a café offering this option would be cool.

lol to think that nokia's candybar phones could last over 2 weeks. We have gone backwards as well as forwards on features.

Makes one wonder about taking battery devices on planes. There is such a deal made about couriering anything with batteries these days, but you can walk on with power banks etc.

I work for an organisation that has a need to courier RSA tokens overseas from time to time. You should see the declaration paperwork that has to be completed because of the lithium battery issue. Yet as you point out, I can wander onto a plane and into the same destination country with one in my pocket.

floydbloke

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#1254086 9-Mar-2015 15:33

I don't travel a lot but I 'd rather hotels offered decent (and affordable) internet/wifi and a good quality TV picture. (Although the former is becoming less of an issue with affordable 4G).
I'm quite happy to cart around my own charger.

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wellygary

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#1254087 9-Mar-2015 15:35

allan: I work for an organisation that has a need to courier RSA tokens overseas from time to time. You should see the declaration paperwork that has to be completed because of the lithium battery issue. Yet as you point out, I can wander onto a plane and into the same destination country with one in my pocket.

With Li Batteries the issue of not one or two in your pocket, which will be come quite obvious if they burst into flame :),

Its the bunch of courier packages in a container in the hold that say they are all "childrens toys" but turnout to be a pile of smartphones or other devices with large Li batteries, that have the potential for a thermal runaway cascade upon one igniting.

cyberhub

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#1254134 9-Mar-2015 16:10

Jase2985: i think you need to invest in something like this: http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=BAPAPA1120

if you are having issues with your device being low on power all the time, or make sure its charged every night, or buy a new device whos battery isnt shot.

i understand the whole hotel thing though, ive been to a few older hotels and some of them are a PITA to plug your device into the power point

Yep I brought one of those when I was on holiday on Great Barrier Island. I was great. If it is any consolation most Waiheke ferries have usb charging stations by all seats and some have power points on the table so you can charge and work at the same time. Makes me happy.

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MadEngineer

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#1254172 9-Mar-2015 16:56

wellygary:
allan: I work for an organisation that has a need to courier RSA tokens overseas from time to time. You should see the declaration paperwork that has to be completed because of the lithium battery issue. Yet as you point out, I can wander onto a plane and into the same destination country with one in my pocket.
With Li Batteries the issue of not one or two in your pocket, which will be come quite obvious if they burst into flame :),

Its the bunch of courier packages in a container in the hold that say they are all "childrens toys" but turnout to be a pile of smartphones or other devices with large Li batteries, that have the potential for a thermal runaway cascade upon one igniting.

this is due to cargo hold vs cabin pressure.

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Niel

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#1254247 9-Mar-2015 18:25

cyberhub: If it is any consolation most Waiheke ferries have usb charging stations by all seats and some have power points on the table so you can charge and work at the same time. Makes me happy.

Many of their passengers are businessmen who would want to work while crossing. Good to see they've done it.

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Niel

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#1254276 9-Mar-2015 18:46

MadEngineer: this is due to cargo hold vs cabin pressure.

If bulk batteries have a UN3480 test report, then it can be shipped by air. It is not about pressure but rather the risk of consumers inappropriately packing batteries, and fake batteries. With carry-on you are also limited (by IATA) to 2 spares. BTW a test report for a battery manufacturer is about US$1000, and is valid for 1 year. It is not hard.

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