Next month, 250 New York City payphones will be replaced by consoles displaying a 32-inch "smart screen." The new consoles will contain neighborhood information. Users will also be able to contact 311 via the devices.
The phones will feature "lists of nearby restaurants, store sales in the area, traffic updates, landmark information and safety alerts - in multiple languages," according to City 24x7, the screen installer.
If the trial works, the city may then replace its 12,800 remaining payphones with the updated devices. Eventually, Skype P2P technology will be installed on the consoles.
City 24x7 said if users are worried about germs, they should not fear. The screens are built to be cleaned with a jet hose and will be more sanitary than an ATM, the company stated.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.