Pauly's Templeton Watch

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Home electricity use in US falling to 2001 levels

The Associated Press
NEW YORK — The average amount of electricity consumed in U.S. homes has fallen to levels last seen more than a decade ago, back when the smartest device in people's pockets was a Palm pilot and anyone talking about a tablet was probably an archaeologist or a preacher.

Because of more energy-efficient housing, appliances and gadgets, power usage is on track to decline in 2013 for the third year in a row, to 10,819 kilowatt-hours per household, according to the Energy Information Administration.

That's the lowest level since 2001, when households averaged 10,535 kwh. And the drop has occurred even though our lives are more electrified.

Here's a look at what has changed since the last time consumption was so low.

Apple: We had no role in NSA's alleged iPhone hack

LONDON — Apple Inc. says it played no role in the National Security Agency's alleged efforts to hack the iPhone, explaining that it was unaware of a recently revealed program apparently aimed at turning the best-selling smartphone into an improvised listening device.

The Cupertino, California-based, company said Tuesday it had never worked with the NSA to deliberately weaken its products, promising that it would "defend our customers from security attacks, regardless of who's behind them."

Apple's statement follows the disclosure by privacy advocate Jacob Appelbaum of a leaked document describing an NSA-designed "software implant" intended to turn an iPhone into a pocket-sized informer, secretly recording audio, stealing files, and harvesting contact information.

The revelation was one of series of disclosures which have rattled the NSA in the past six months.