When I started flying in 1994, there certainly wasn’t the need for accessory power in the cabin. These days it’s an entirely different story and the number of portable devices I carry grows by the month. Who thought you would have to charge your sunglasses? That’s why the market is being bombarded with panel USB charging ports. These are generally FAA-certified devices that mount either on the instrument panel or in interior components, and connect with the aircraft’s electrical bus for voltage.
But if you check the prices on these things you’ll be shocked to see them selling for hundreds of dollars, not counting installation. Are they really any better than hardware store USB ports that plug in to a cigarette lighter socket or even portable power banks that might sell for under $20?