Finding a power outlet to recharge cell phones, laptops or other high-tech gadgets is a high priority when ducking into public places like Starbucks, says the New York Times. "Every day, millions of people are finding themselves scurrying about in search of wells of electricity they can tap so their battery-powered mobile devices can remain mobile. Dependence is growing on laptops, cellular telephones, digital music players, digital cameras, camcorders, personal organizers, portable DVD players and the latest hand-held gaming devices - most of which operate on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries - and finding available electrical outlets away from home and office has become more urgent."

Sometimes these mobile device users will take extreme measures -- the article cites the example of one Upper West Sider who "used to plug his laptop into an outlet hidden behind a large framed picture."