So, every time you see a blog post or magazine review for some new tech device with onboard 802.11, the inevitable suggestion is that the usefulness of the device is substantially increased because now it can get online from the nearest coffee shop. "With onboard Wifi, the newest iPods can download tunes from iTunes Store while you're at the coffee shop!!" Huh? How is this a selling point? I'd much rather be able to download new music while I'm laying on the couch feeling too lazy to pick my laptop up off the endtable, which is a much more likely place to find Wifi anyway.

Does the coffee shop aspect of 802.11 connectivity really make that much of a difference to people? How much time do ordinary iPod-toting folks spend sipping lattes and wishing they could download the 839th Dave Matthews concert CD without having to leave the lively, stimulating environment of their local Starbucks?

Sheesh. Clearly these people need help to overcome their unhealthy addition to Wifi access and caffeinated beverages. I recommend a Bluetooth-enabled 3G cell phone and some Penguin mints.