Like walking the aisles of a hardware store, browsing for cellphone apps can be a soul-elevating experience.
Both reassure you that, whatever the problem, there is a neat, precise solution available immediately at a reasonable price.
Now, mass-transit riders of New York, your time has come.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is releasing dozens of new apps, and concepts for apps, to transform your commute, or at least give you something to look at while you avoid eye-contact with panhandlers.
There’s one that will sense when you are approaching your station, and wake you from sleep.
One to tell you which exit to use.
Another to identify musicians playing on the platforms.
You can vote on your favorite, and it might receive financing to go into development.
Free suggestions for the next contest: we’d like apps to control subway rats, and to make trains show up exactly when requested.
Have your own ideas? Let us know in the comments or through Twitter, with hashtag #NYToday.
Here’s what you need to know for your Wednesday.
WEATHER
It will be in the mid-80s, but mostly cloudy and with a chance of rain. Yes, bring that umbrella.
TRANSIT & TRAFFIC
- Mass Transit Delays on the L train. Click for latest M.T.A. status.
- Roads No major delays. Click for traffic map or radio report on the 1s.
Alternate-side parking is in effect.
COMING UP TODAY
- We know what you’re thinking. If only there were another forum, panel or debate featuring New York mayoral candidates. It’s your lucky night!
- The final Republican debate, featuring Joseph J. Lhota and his rivals George McDonald and John Catsimatidis, is at City University’s Graduate Center at 7 p.m.
- Christine C. Quinn, one of the Democratic front-runners, marks Rosh Hashana by distributing food to the needy at a nonprofit group in Queens, Tomchei Shabbos, at 4 p.m.
- Several events mark the precise anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream†speech.
- Bells will toll through the canyon of heroes - around Broadway and Wall Street in the financial district - at 3 p.m.
- The speech itself will be screened in Times Square at the same time. A flash mob also plans to dance in honor of the speech in Times Square.
- At Brown Memorial Baptist Church in Brooklyn, there is a “Beyond the Dream†job fair at 4 p.m. and a rally at around 7 p.m. [All free]
- If you’re feeling guilty about your rickety bicycle, there are two opportunities to get a free tune-up. Recycle a Bicycle Volunteer Night, at Long Island City Workshop in Queens, is at 6 p.m.
- There’s another tune-up, complete with DJs, at the Music Hall of Williamsburg at 5 p.m. [Free]
- Free lunchtime opera at Richard Tucker Park on the Upper West Side at noon. [Free]
- Martin Scorsese’s Howard Hughes epic “The Aviator†is screening at South Street Seaport at 8 p.m. [Free]
- There’s an after-hours party at El Museo Del Barrio on 5th Avenue at 104th Street at 6 p.m. [Free]
IN THE NEWS
- The Web site of The New York Times was down for several hours on Tuesday because of an attack by hackers. [New York Times]
- Scott Stringer, running for comptroller, left taxes unpaid when a bar he co-owned shut down in the early 1990s. [Huffington Post]
- The city will give well-qualified immigrants access to loans to help them train for better jobs. [New York Daily News]
-Â An M.T.A. worker in a stolen boom truck pulled down a dozen electricity poles and damaged wires, leaving 6,000 without power. He was using the truck to transport stolen welding equipment, according to police. [New York Times]
- The city asked a judge to hold off on reforms to the controversial stop-and-frisk program. [New York Post]
AND FINALLY…
On Tuesday, we warned you that several mayoral and other candidates planned to try and win voters by outdoing each other in hitting a small ball with a thin stick the farthest.
The results of the candidates’ stickball contest are now in.
William C. Thompson Jr. failed to make any significant contact, according to The Associated Press.
The Long-shot Democrat Erick Salgado managed 180 feet, and the Republican front-runner, Mr. Lhota, posted an exceedingly respectable 120 feet.
Let this affect your votes as it may.
Nicole Higgins DeSmet contributed reporting.
New York Today is a morning roundup that stays live from 6 a.m. till about noon.
What would you like to see here to start your day? Post a comment, e-mail us at nytoday@nytimes.com or reach us via Twitter using #NYToday. Thanks!
