Friday, September 5, 2025

September 05, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Friday, September 5, 2025 

Welcome to another Friday edition of the Tech:NYC Digest, featuring our favorite five highlights in New York tech this week.

Was this digest forwarded to you? Subscribe here.

'If you hear something, free something': What's behind new sound at NYC's subway stations (Gothamist)

  • A new audio artwork by conceptual artist and lifelong New Yorker Chloë Bass has taken over the public address systems in 14 subway stations citywide. The work is made up of 24 poetic announcements — think poems or personal stories — delivered in six languages, meant to gently interrupt daily life. 🚇

    • The project runs through Oct. 5.

Is congestion pricing working? The MTA’s revamped data team is figuring it out (Wired)

  • In other transit-related news, the MTA has ramped up its data and analytics efforts in response to the congestion pricing initiative launched earlier this year. 

    • A newly expanded data team (26 full-time staff) now publishes over 180 public datasets, ranging from vehicle entry counts to bus and subway performance. 📊

NYC neighborhood brushes off industrial-era gloom to lure major tenants like Google, Disney (NY Post)

  • Once an industrial district, Hudson Square in Lower Manhattan is now thriving. 💅 Companies like Google and Disney have taken two of the largest office spaces, while other tech companies like Madison Black have moved in. 

    • The area has leased or renewed 915,000 square feet, reaching vacancy rates below 17%. 

    • Urban upgrades, including planting 500 trees and revitalizing a long-dormant plaza, are underway.

A free concert of Broadway hits will take over Times Square to celebrate NYC’s 400th birthday (TimeOut New York)

  • Calling all musical theater lovers! This Sunday, in honor of NYC’s 400th birthday, more than 20 Broadway shows are sending cast members to the middle of Duffy Square for a free “Founded By Broadway” concert.

    • The event will also kick off Broadway week, with two-for-one tickets on sale across dozens of shows. 🎭   

The Downtown ventriloquist (New York Times)

  • Sophie Becker is no dummy. Even if she spends all her time with them. She’s a former actress-turned-ventriloquist, educating audiences on the lost vaudevillian art form throughout her acts in NYC night clubs.

    • “The dummy frees you to not doubt yourself. They remind you that being dumb is actually your greatest asset,” she said.

Tell a joke this 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

You currently have 0 referrals, only 1 away from receiving a Shoutout in the Tech:NYC Digest.

Or share your personal link with others: https://technycdigest.beehiiv.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER

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.