It was inevitable. The only real question is, what's been taking so long?

American Airlines on Wednesday began testing an in-flight Internet service on a jet from New York to Los Angeles.

Gogo (that's what it's called) will let passengers tap into their favorite Web sites and e-mail at 40,000 feet.

In practice, it's similar to Boeing's now-discontinued Connexion service that we tried out on a demonstration flight four long years ago.

After takeoff (and only after the pilot's authorization), users can pop open their notebook computer (or most other devices with a wireless Wi-Fi connection) and link up to Gogo to keep up with work or to take advantage of the ever-growing range of online entertainment options.

Unlike Connexion, which used a satellite hookup to relay the Internet just about anyplace on the planet, American's service links to ground-based cell towers, which limits its coverage to routes over continental North America, at least for now.

After the trial, American is expected to launch the Gogo service on Boeing 767-200 wide body flights between New York and Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami, with other destinations as more jets are equipped.

An American spokeswoman said Gogo would be expanded to other domestic routes if tests are successful, but there's no timetable yet for service on flights to and from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

I think passengers will enjoy having an extra option to keep them busy during long flights. Yes, just like checked bags, American is charging a fee for Gogo service: between $10 and $13, depending on the length of the flight.

Unlike checked bags, I won't mind paying for the connection. But if you've ever tried to use a traditional notebook computer in the cramped confines of an economy seat, you'd better pray that the person in front of you doesn't decide to recline!

• LINK: Gogo Inflight Internet

Google is an absolutely terrific way to search for stuff on the World Wide Web, but let's be honest: it's kind of boring.

And that's where Viewzi comes in.

Viewzi's Photo Cloud View "floats" the results of your search on the screen.

This new Web site takes searching to the next dimension by offering a variety of interesting ways to look at search results.

For instance, Viewzi's "4 Sources View" presents a matrix of color-coded page images; you can click on Yahoo (yellow), Google (magenta), Ask (green) or MSN (blue) to narrow the results to one or more of the sources.

After typing in a search for "Empire State Building" using the "3D Photo Cloud View," I was presented with a series of images of the New York landmark floating around on my screen; just click an image to view a bigger version; click a search term on the screen to get a different mix. The pictures in this search are all drawn from the Flickr.com site.

You'll get a wider variety of photos using the "Basic Photo View," which draws from SmugMug and Flickr. The display here looks more like a photographic proof sheet — thumbnails that deliver a full-size image with a click.

There's a "Celebrity Photo View" that deposits a pile of virtual 8x10s related to your search term on your computer screen's "desktop."

And you can browse record album covers using "Album View." A click , in many cases, also delivers a list of songs on the album along with a way to buy it.

Words don't really do justice to Viewzi, because it's all about the interactive user experience. You just have to try it.

At this point, I still favor old-fashioned Google for quick text searches, but for more casual browsing, Viewzi's fresh take on the process can be quite addictive, and will likely lead you to results you might not have otherwise found.

• LINK: Viewzi

Has your iPod, cell phone or Bluetooth headset ever fizzled out while you were away from a charger? Lenmar is offering the new PowerPort Mini as an answer to your portable power dilemma.

WFAA-TV

Dead batteries in your iPod? PowerPort Mini to the rescue!

As its name implies, the Mini is small; about the size of a package of Tic-Tacs; just right for tucking away in your pocket or travel bag to provide insurance against low battery warnings.

Here's how it works:

• Charge up PowerPort Mini using any standard USB port. A computer works well for this, although you can also find USB power supplies available for AC and car cigarette lighter outlets (not included with the product).

• Wait for the green light to come on (indicating a full charge), detach the USB cable and take it with you.

• When your portable device needs power, plug its USB power cord into the PowerPort Mini and it starts to recharge.

Lenmar says a fully-charged PowerPort Mini will provide up to two full charges to most other devices.

There are similar recharging gizmos that use disposable batteries (usually AA cells) as the power supply. While they don't require a charge, they're a lot less portable because of the size of the batteries. The PowerPort Mini incorporates a compact cell phone-style battery inside that has more capacity in a smaller package.

The $30 price tag is reasonable for the peace of mind it gives the road warrior. It's available in six colors, including pink, green, black, red and silver.

• LINK: Lenmar PowerPort Mini

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E-mail askwalt@wfaa.com