Why are all "major appliances" relegated to the kitchen or the laundry room? How antiquated. I think it's time for a new class of appliances for our information and entertainment needs, starting with the end of cables and DC transformer madness.

For the same reason that I don't put my fresh fruit in one refrigerator and my vegetables in another, I want a single place to put my gadgets so that they can stay "fresh" with juice and data.

Rackmounts are becoming popular for hi-end media rooms, and it's a good start. Now let's take it to the next step by developing a universal "bus" for consumer electronics that includes interconnects, power, cooling, etc. Homes could be prewired from this location with smart-jacks that include a universal modular connector, making any wall outlet a candidate for Video, Audio, USB, DC or AC power etc. Older homes could easily and inexpensively retrofit with sleek cord management housings that double as moulding or tracklighting rails (and of course for the conspicuous-cool factor.)