At the Consumer Electronics Show last year, Seattle area entrepreneur Leigh Hunt struggled to keep his cell phone charged as he bounced between exhibits, talks and parties. Realizing that other people we’re likely encountering the same troubles at the week-long geek fest, Hunt decided to do something about it.
The result of that frustration is Sionic Media, a new cell phone charging kiosk company that’s looking to install units at sports venues, hotels, airports, conferences and other venues. Hunt tells GeekWire that they are in talks to install 10 units at the Comcast Arena in Everett, with other stadiums in California, Utah and Pennsylvania currently kicking the tires on the concept. [Editor’s note: This post has been corrected to indicate that Sionic has not yet closed a deal at Comcast Arena].
Would you really plug in to a cell phone-charging kiosk during a game?
I’ve got to say that I’ve encountered this problem before, but it’s not as big of a deal for me as the lousy wireless connections I’ve encountered at sporting events at the Rose Garden in Portland or CenturyLink Field in Seattle. (As much as I’ve complained about CenturyLink, I’ve got to say the Rose Garden was much worse on a recent trip).
Hunt — who recently showcased the technology at the CTIA wireless conference in New Orleans — says he plans to make money through both rentals of the units or via sponsorships. At the CTIA conference, electronics makes LG sponsored the kiosks.
Of course, Hunt is not the only one attacking this problem. GoCharge is rolling out its charging kiosks across New York and Florida, with The Sun Sentinel reporting last week that it plans to have 170 stations installed in Florida night clubs, bars and other venues next month. (Heck, at the SXSW conference in Austin earlier this year, FedEx paid people to be walking cell phone charging stations).
Hunt previously developed the mobile app technology AppsJack, which was featured on GeekWire last year. He’s now moved on to the cell phone charging kiosks, making them out of a location in Seattle.
He previously ran retail operations for AT&T.
