People seem to love my lists. Here is one of my favourite electrical connections:

1. Scart Socket
2. USB Port
3. 3.5mm Stereo jack
4. Double phono
5. 2.5mm Stereo jack
6. Parallel port
7. Ethernet
8. PS/2

/* Pete Graham */

I used to think that it would be a dragons-den-tastic idea to manufacture computer cases with extension plugs built into the back of the case, this would mean you wouldn’t need to buy a separate extension plug (for your printer, scanner, modem, router, etc) when you buy a new PC. Although I still think this is a good idea, many computer peripherals are powered via USB these days so I don’t think it’s quite a marketable an idea as it used to be.

Now turning the idea completely on its head imagine if in the future we do away with plug sockets completely in our houses and just have USB ports instead. These ports would be used primarily for providing electrical power to devices, however in theory they could connect to some sort of domestic computer system that could interface with all your houses devices (fridges, entertainment system, vacuum cleaner, robot pets, etc). Many modern cars have sophisticated computer systems built into them so why not include a few USB ports as well? Not only are USB ports more compact than traditional plugs but it would also prevent you needing adaptors for using electronic devices abroad.

/* Pete Graham */

I think USBCELL cell batteries are really cool. Basically these are rechargeable batteries that are charged via a USB port on your computer. The USB connector is built into the batter so there is no need to hunt about for a separate charger, this always happens to me on the occasions I decide to dust off my digital camera.

You can purchase AA versions of the batteries from www.usbcell.com or in most High street electronics stores. It looks like they’ve got plenty of other battery sizes in the pipelines (AAA, C/D and 9V). One interesting thing they’re working on are phone batteries that can be charged via USB, it always annoys me when I misplace or lose a phone charger and have to play £30 for a new one, hopefully this sort of competition could drive the extortionate price of phone chargers down.

# Pete Graham