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Useful Chicago Tech

By
Real Estate Agent with Jennifer Ames Chicago - Coldwell Banker

Most people don’t expect much innovation from their local governments, but two city services - the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the Chicago Public Library - have been rolling out some pretty neat tech features.

In the case of the CTA, their new bus tracker system is a feature that many of us have long wished for while waiting at the bus stop. Now, with a web-enabled phone, we can find just when the next bus will arrive on many of the most popular routes. The service is available both in a text format (telling you how many minutes until the next bus arrives) and in a map format (showing you where the buses on the route currently are).

The Chicago Public Library’s contribution is the recent addition of downloadable movies to their online downloads service. This means that in addition to e-books and audio books, you can now download select films to your home computer or iPod from the CPL website. Any downloaded programs will be accessible for three weeks, after which they will automatically delete themselves. You can browse the library’s current selection of downloadable content here.

While you shouldn’t hold your breath to see any blockbuster titles like The Dark Knight or Quantum of Solace appear anytime soon, there are still a few gems to be had - plus all the historical documentaries and do-it-yourself tutorials you could ever hope to watch.

You’ll need a CPL library card to access the service which is free to Chicago residents and Chicago property tax payers. You can apply for one at any branch location.

These are two nice new services that are now available - and coincidently, they both mean less time exposed to the Chicago winter and more time enjoying ourselves in warmer settings. That’s never a bad thing.

Read more at www.liveandplayinchicago.com...

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