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We all carry gadgets around, they all have batteries inside, and they all need recharging regularly. That usually happens at home each night, or at work if you’ve got a free outlet. But public locations usually either try to cater for your charging needs for free or choose to block access to power outlets to limit your stay (coffee shops). Charging for power use specifically has never really been an option.
If you do regularly charge your devices in a public location for free, Sony may be about to ruin your day. It has developed a new power outlet that can identify who is connecting to it, and therefore allows for an individual to be charged for use.
The key to the intelligent outlet is the inclusion of an integrated circuit which communicates over the power line connection. It can check the identity of the device, and therefore the owner of that device before deciding what to do.
The main purpose seems to be controlling who can gain access to power. So it’s not surprising that Sony sees the tech being deployed in airports, restaurants, and anywhere a public power outlet exists. That’s not to say it can’t be used to help conserve energy too e.g. limiting power to certain types of device at different times of the day within a building.
In order for this system to work, there also needs to be a payment system in place. Sony already has such a system up and running called FeliCa, which allows for convenient payments using NFC. For the power outlet scenario it seems likely you’d be able to pay in a similar way either wirelessly or over the power line connection connected to your device.
Ultimately, this power outlet is probably bad news for consumers. It affords an easy way for power to be charged for in public areas, and most companies focused on making a profit aren’t going to pass up an opportunity to generate more money from its customers.
Source
Now coffee shops, airports, and other public places can earn money instead of letting free loaders use their power for free, but I got a feeling a lot of customers will be mad.
Will free power be the next big thing like free Wi-Fi in coffee shops which don't charge for Wi-fi or power?
I see more people just buying extra battery packs and hand crank electricity chargers then paying for power at a coffee shops or public place.
Plus, I rarely use public power at coffee shops since they can contain power surges which can damage my sensitive electronics like laptops, MP3 players, etc unless I have a Surge protector bar, and I mostly only go out to buy food, and other stuff where I don't need to go online or talk to people on a cell phone because I'm buying food and other stuff.
If you do regularly charge your devices in a public location for free, Sony may be about to ruin your day. It has developed a new power outlet that can identify who is connecting to it, and therefore allows for an individual to be charged for use.
The key to the intelligent outlet is the inclusion of an integrated circuit which communicates over the power line connection. It can check the identity of the device, and therefore the owner of that device before deciding what to do.
The main purpose seems to be controlling who can gain access to power. So it’s not surprising that Sony sees the tech being deployed in airports, restaurants, and anywhere a public power outlet exists. That’s not to say it can’t be used to help conserve energy too e.g. limiting power to certain types of device at different times of the day within a building.
In order for this system to work, there also needs to be a payment system in place. Sony already has such a system up and running called FeliCa, which allows for convenient payments using NFC. For the power outlet scenario it seems likely you’d be able to pay in a similar way either wirelessly or over the power line connection connected to your device.
Ultimately, this power outlet is probably bad news for consumers. It affords an easy way for power to be charged for in public areas, and most companies focused on making a profit aren’t going to pass up an opportunity to generate more money from its customers.
Source
Now coffee shops, airports, and other public places can earn money instead of letting free loaders use their power for free, but I got a feeling a lot of customers will be mad.
Will free power be the next big thing like free Wi-Fi in coffee shops which don't charge for Wi-fi or power?
I see more people just buying extra battery packs and hand crank electricity chargers then paying for power at a coffee shops or public place.
Plus, I rarely use public power at coffee shops since they can contain power surges which can damage my sensitive electronics like laptops, MP3 players, etc unless I have a Surge protector bar, and I mostly only go out to buy food, and other stuff where I don't need to go online or talk to people on a cell phone because I'm buying food and other stuff.
