Power for everyone
I am currently sitting in the Phoenix airport’s US Airways terminal. I was listening to my iPod on the flight over and still have another three hour flight, so naturally I’m in need of a battery recharge on multiple devices. My laptop has 75% battery remaining, Blackberry 90%, and iPod roughly 10% (sounds like I am a good candidate for an Apple iPhone).
Here’s the problem: I’ve walked around this terminal for five minutes looking for an available power outlet. What’s worse is there were dozens of others in search of the same thing and others even holding claim to be next at specific outlets. Everyone is constantly using devices more than ever before — laptops, cell phones, music players, digital cameras, video cameras, and more. Until batteries can last for weeks, why doesn’t someone make power more accessible in public places. Especially when I’m in an area that is generally privately operated (both airline brand and airport), isn’t there an opportunity to provide better customer service and amenities and monetize this?
I’ve already seen power or charge-up stations randomly at airports. I believe it was in Chicago where I saw a booth sponsored by Cox (not entirely sure of that), and in another airport, I saw a Samsung-sponsored mobile charging station (presumably only for Samsung mobile phones). Each of these are great solutions but I believe there’s an easier opportunity.
What if I went to Walmart and purchased 5,000 power outlets that convert two grounded outlets to six. There is usually enough chairs around outlets for six people to comfortably sit and charge their devices. What I’ll do is create a simple cardboard advertisement to border this outlet. On it, I’ll get Apple to advertise their iPhone, Verizon to advertise their Chocolate phone, Sony to advertise their Vaio, Blackberry to advertise the Curve.
Granted, power doesn’t come cheap so someone has to fork up the cash to help pay for it. And if advertising revenue can offset the calculated energy cost, for a private company (e.g., airline and airport) that’s a wonderful way to offer something to your energy-needy customers and maybe make a few bucks. Consider it the Google way — free services for consumers paid for by advertisers.
