Old phone booths in Manhattan’s Union Square are getting a modern makeover. Smart screens there display real-time local-based services, community information, current events and entertainment listings.
City Replaces 250 Payphones with iPad-Like Screens
Old phone booths in Manhattan’s Union Square are getting a modern makeover. Smart screens there display real-time local-based services, community information, current events and entertainment listings.
It’s called City24/7, which also is the name of a media and content company.
The private-public partnership also includes the city Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications, Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group and LG Electronics USA.
The screens have been installed at 10 payphones. Another 240 will go up throughout the city in the next few months. They’re available in multiple languages and equipped with features for the disabled.
Multiple mobile apps are accessible through the 32-inch screens. Content also is fed directly to mobile and web platforms.
City24/7 eventually will be expanded to more than a dozen U.S. and foreign cities.
Yisrael
Public phones must be available for safety reasons.
At times, people have no access to a cellphone
No less important than info screens.
The city must be urged to install more
working telephones.