Traveling with Technology

I have been on the road/in the air quite a bit in the past week and have made a few observations about traveling with a variety of technology tools (computer, cell phone, ipod, etc.).  

• The first thing I noticed is the availability of WiFi in airports.  Each airport I have been in this year has offered WiFi but it hasn’t always been free.  Chicago Midway and Detroit both offer services from Boingo.  While $7.95/day is not much, it isn’t an economical option for the traveler who is on a short layover and just wants to check email.  I much prefer the system that the Vegas airport uses; free ad based service.  I don’t care about looking at a few ads as long as I can get a quick look at my email and the latest poll results.   
• Second, many airports need to bump up their power access!  It can be like pulling teeth trying to find a place to plug in a laptop or charge a phone.  The best setup I have seen has been in Chicago (I think it is Southwest handy work too).  At the gates, they provide a nice row of leather seats with standard and USB power for each.  It is VERY nice and gave me the option to charge all of my electronics. 
• Third, I think it is about time that airplanes come standard with power outlets at each seat.  While on a fairly long 4 hour flight last week, my iPod crapped out on my while I was watching a video podcast.  To charge it I had to load up my computer and plug in.  There is already little room in these planes and pulling out my computer just to charge my iPod isn’t really appealing. 
• Last, I have read a few articles about airlines testing WiFi offerings on their planes.  I am ALL for this.  There is no better way to use the down time in a plane than catching up on email or reading the latest news.  I hope this will become standard on all planes in the near future!