Friday, November 14, 2025
Welcome to another Friday edition of the Tech:NYC Digest, featuring our favorite five highlights in New York and tech this week.
Was this digest forwarded to you? Subscribe here.
Why the Grand Central subway passageway smells woodsy (New York Times)
Ahh that smell of New York: Hot dog carts, sewers, and… fresh balsam?! Bath & Body Works has turned the passage that connects the shuttle train and the 4, 5 and 6 trains into “Grand Scentral,” filling it with, yes, its “fresh balsam” scent. 👃
The company installed four high-tech commercial diffusers that will send out as much as 30 pounds of scent this month.
The smells are free, but revenue from the ad campaign goes to the MTA.
Trucker's viral scale model of every NYC building to get official showing (Gothamist)
From balsam scent to balsa wood: Trucker Joe Macken spent 20 years building a 50-by-30-foot scale model of every NYC building, using only balsa wood, Elmer’s glue, and Styrofoam.
The model went viral on TikTok and will debut at the Museum of the City of New York in February.
Macken plans to transport the entire thing himself in a rented 25-foot U-Haul (hopefully not made out of glue).
Five apps that will make you love art galleries (New York Times)
From art projects to art galleries: New art apps are helping New Yorkers navigate the more than 700 galleries across the city. 📱
Pro tip: Here’s a guide to New York’s November art gallery shows.
‘Dear New York, I Love You’ full of whimsical drawings and joy found in New York City (ABC New York)
From art galleries to one-person art sales: Artist Ria Sim brings joy to a West Village corner with whimsical colored-pencil drawings sold from a red wagon. ✏️
She has created more than 4,000 pieces celebrating the city’s hidden characters and small details.
Sim began drawing after illness forced her to relearn motor skills, and says New York has been her greatest muse.
Google turns NYC subway into AI art gallery with Veo (Tech Buzz)
From physical art to digital art: Google DeepMind’s “Imagine If…” art experiment has transformed subway screens into an AI art gallery. 🖼️
Riders can scan QR codes, submit ideas, and see five local artists turn those ideas into Veo-generated video pieces.
The artworks will run across thousands of MTA digital displays over the next four weeks, culminating with a Times Square showcase on Dec. 14.
Have an artsy weekend, New York! 🎨
Daily Digest Rewards 🎁
Treat yourself: Send subscribers our way, and we’ll send swag your way.
1 Referral: Shoutout in the Digest
5 Referrals: Obviously NYC Hat
10 Referrals: Obviously NYC Tote Bag
25 Referrals: Obviously NYC Sweatshirt
{{rp_personalized_text}}
Or share your personal link with others: {{ rp_refer_url }}
Any feedback or suggestions of things to add? Get in touch here.
Was this digest forwarded to you? Sign up to receive it directly here.