New York City today became the first city in the nation to deploy a
network of technologically advanced, publicly accessible
touch-screens on neighborhood streets.
The ground-breaking communication network -- called City24/7 --
uses fully interactive pedestrian billboards called "SmartScreens"
to broadcast neighborhood news, current events and entertainment
listings, local deals and specials. Multiple mobile apps are
accessible through the 32-inch multi-touch LG screens -- connecting
New Yorkers to the "best of the best" city information. Content is
also fed directly to mobile and web platforms.
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the City24/7 network will
initially focus on community revitalization and highlight
volunteering opportunities and projects citywide. This focus is
true to the company's mission, which is to help:
- Inform - by instantly connecting people
with information that is relevant to their immediate proximity
- Protect - by using instant alert systems
and real-time communication
- Revitalize - by increasing neighborhood
commerce, investment, and tourism
City24/7 is built as a pure public/private partnership,
providing multiple services to New Yorkers at no cost to the City
or to users. The initial launch of City24/7, in partnership with
the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications
(DoITT), consists of up to ten installations in existing payphone
booths around Union Square. Over the next several months, the
number of installations will increase to up to 250 participating
phone booths throughout the five boroughs.
The City24/7 rollout will take place in two phases. The first
phase, which has already begun, involves deploying 250 Smart
Screens throughout New York City. As these systems are implemented,
City24/7, Cisco, and the City of New York will further integrate
the platform with the addition of mobile applications, safety and
security capabilities, city information feeds, and location-based
advertising.
Once the Smart Screens have reached critical mass in New York
City, City24/7 and Cisco plan to start the second phase, which
includes expansion to more than a dozen U.S. and international
cities. The SmartScreens are designed to use real-time,
location-based services, tied in to the network throughout the
city. City24/7 also provides a channel for the City to broadcast
vital information, real-time news and transit updates. In addition,
the street locations have free Wi-Fi access, and are equipped with
near-field communications and Bluetooth.
"Our network is built on the idea that you should be able to
connect and activate information through any device -- anywhere,"
said Tom Touchet, president and CEO of City24/7. "We're excited to
help power daily communications to the streets of New York, and to
immediately and directly give back to the communities we
serve."
The City24/7 network takes advantage of New York City's
innovative digital road map, hitting on four of the key points:
providing "Access for All," utilizing Open Government Information,
promoting citizen-centric engagement and supporting a vibrant
digital community through partnerships.
To ensure that everyone can access the information, the City24/7
network utilizes a number of cutting-edge technologies designed to
assist with usability.
The devices are equipped with numerous accessibility features --
some developed by City24/7 -- such as screen repositioning for
wheelchair accessibility, headphone access for the hearing impaired
and key-fob access for the vision impaired. They also have multiple
language capabilities which include: English, Spanish, Russian,
Mandarin Chinese.
The Light House for the Blind and the New York chapter of the
National Federation of the Blind have also endorsed City24/7 for
their support of people with disabilities.
City24/7's SmartScreen displays -- a new digital design by LG
Electronics for delivering messages in outdoor spaces -- are
protected with steel casings, ATM-strength screens and able to
withstand extreme weather. They also contain backup batteries to
assist if power is disrupted.
"Our ruggedized outdoor high-definition LED touch-screen
monitors were designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, and we
are pleased to enable such an innovative project with our touch
solutions," said Y.K. Cho, B2B senior vice president of LG
Electronics USA. "This innovative application showcases LG
innovations that help create an interactive and engaging
experience."
The Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG) Global Public
Sector Practice helps governments create a vision of the future by
helping leaders understand the benefits of using innovative
technology to transform government processes and public
services.
"For the first time in history, cities are now home to more than
half of the Earth's population. These cities have become
'single-world' urban areas -- tied together by communication
networks. Knowledge from these networks provides valuable insights
to governments, people, and businesses -- both large and small --
to change industries, serve people, increase productivity, and
create relevant consumer experiences," said Jeff Frazier, Senior
Director, Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group. "Cities that
lead future progress will utilize networked knowledge like that
being created by City24/7 to become more safe, more busy, and more
vibrant."
City24/7's SmartScreens emphasize community. All content is
targeted down to the machine -- helping drive local initiatives,
small business and retail growth on a neighborhood level. In
addition, the company "gives back" a percentage of its ad revenue
to local non-profit programs.
"Union Square is one of the most vibrant, active neighborhoods
in the city with countless dining, shopping, entertainment,
cultural and nightlife options at any given moment. The City24/7
technology provides neighborhoods with a tremendous resource to
reach the public, and gives visitors everything they need to know
about where they are in a convenient, user-friendly format," said
Jennifer Falk, executive director of the Union Square Partnership,
who worked with City24/7 to bring the pilot to the
neighborhood.
City24/7's collection of the "best of" New York content
providers includes Zagat, Google Places, Roadify, CityMaps,
TheaterMania, community partners and other content providers.
City24/7 also has mobile, tablet and web platforms allowing content
to be seamlessly pushed to those devices.
In New York, City24/7 is launching its network in the existing
payphone infrastructure. The company is excited to have partners
including Telebeam and Coastal Communications who are interested in
exploring future uses for the public telephones that grow their
benefit to the City.
Through DoITT, the City of New York administers public pay
telephone franchises that allow for the installation and
maintenance of coin-operated payphones on city sidewalks. Today,
there are approximately 11,500 payphones across the five boroughs.
As part of a pilot program, DoITT has granted authorization for
City24/7 to install "SmartScreens" in up to 250 existing payphone
locations. City24/7 will be responsible for maintenance and/or
repair of the SmartScreens for the life of the pilot program. No
taxpayer money will be spent on the program, and the service will
be free to all users.
About City24/7 City24/7 is a revolutionary interactive
communications network that integrates content from open government
sources, local businesses and citizens to provide meaningful and
powerful knowledge anytime, anywhere, on any device... from the
street to mobile to the web. Following a New York City launch,
City24/7 plans to expand its network nationwide and across the
globe. For more information, visit www.smartcity24x7.com
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Contact: Shane Kavanagh The Marino Organization (212) 889-0808
Nick Sbordone NYC DoITT (212) 788-6602