Using a high-density mesh network, San Francisco is unveiling a system for keeping parking space availability up-to-the minute and making that info accessible to drivers with smartphones. The idea is that with a quick check of your smartphone, or, apparently, signage that will be updated, you'll know where to snag a space.

The ups: less driving around, less frustration, less gas wasted, faster parking success.

The downs: checking phone while driving (and California is now a no cell phone while driving state); likelihood that in this tech-penetrated city someone else equidistant from "your" space has also ID'ed it and may get there first. What could be more frustrating than that?

For those of us living everywhere else, San Francisco will offer a valuable test case that no doubt will prompt similar but improved versions of the technology in years to come.