After installing free superfast Wi-Fi hotspots, New York City is stepping up its tech credentials further by outfitting old telephone booths with Android tablets. The goal is to transform around 7,500 kiosks into Link booths that will serve not just as Wi-Fi hub but also as locations to browse the Internet and place phone calls even for those who do not own a smartphone or a mobile device.
The new project is being pushed forward by LinkNYC to ensure that New Yorkers have access to their emails, maps and apps that allow messaging and calling functions. Mayor Bill de Blasio also wants the tablets to serve as bulletin boards that will display important public announcements. The city will, therefore, develop apps, features and services for this purpose, Tech Crunch reported.
As a public utility, the tablets in the Link structures are not going to be conventional Android devices. Rather, they will be optimized to withstand stress and heavy use. In addition, each device will be encased in an extremely durable casing, which should allow it to be immune to abuse and extreme weather conditions, according to Android Authority. An installation was demonstrated for the press this week, which revealed that the phone call feature is being provided by Vonage.
There will be no time limits for the tablets' use, according to The Verge. For those interested to try it out, 15 are already live along Third Avenue in Manhattan.
