Philly "texting lanes" not just a joke

Texting lane not just for laughs

The sidewalk lanes for the digitally distracted may be a joke, but officials in Philadelphia want the public to know the issue is no laughing matter. Lines on some sidewalks near City Hall designated part of the pavement as "e-lanes" suitable for chronic texters and digital music aficionados -- although only for last week. The April Fools' Day prank was one way city officials, in particular Mayor Michael Nutter, are trying to draw attention to the danger of inattentive pedestrians. The lines, signage and sidewalk graphics -- depicting a pedestrian peering down at a handheld device -- stuck around part of John F. Kennedy Boulevard through the week. A staged video released for the new lanes shows Nutter being cut off mid-interview by an oblivious pedestrian. "Sidewalk safety is important," Nutter noted. The video also features a rowdy band of antitexting protesters disrupting Nutter's mock interview. All kidding aside, officials said distracted pedestrians are a serious issue the city plans to address. -- APAPP LETS YOU SHARE POWER USAGE

Facebook, the Natural Resources Defense Council, energy information software maker Opower and 16 U.S. utilities launched a free app last week that connects your energy utility to your Facebook account, with your permission, and posts your energy usage each month. This being Facebook, the app urges competition among friends to see who has the most energy-efficient home. It also compares your energy use to similar homes in your area. Participating utilities include National Grid, Austin Utilities in Minnesota and City of Palo Alto Utilities in California.

-- AP