Cool developments this week

I found out about a couple of cool things this week.

New York Times Desktop App

First, the New York Times now has a desktop app running on the Adobe AIR platform. I downloaded it, and it's pretty cool. It's about as close to the real thing that I've seen as far newspaper websites and mobile sites go. The most intriguing thing though is the fact that this app isn't free. The Times plans to charge $3.45/week for full access - and for the first time, I think this is something people might actually pay for. The app provides such a rich experience that I think people will (literally) buy into it. If it works for the Times, I'm really curious to see if it works for other newspapers, and especially local newspapers.

MiFi

The other development that's kinda gaining a lot of buzz is mifi. The idea here is that you'll be able to split a 3G signal with a portable router = no more reliance on DSL, cable, T1 lines. You'll be able to pitch the mifi device in the middle of a park, or at the beach, and your friends can surf the web while catching rays. So far, I've seen plans for a Sprint device and a Verizon device. I'm hoping that once these things come out, my parents (who live in a rural area) will be able to break out of their dial-up funk and catch some wireless broadband.

Today's catchy stuff from the web

Verizon + Apple = new iPhone-ish device - Looks like Verizon and Apple are in talks to partner with some kind of Verizon/Apple hardware similar to an iPhone.

Portfolio magazine folds - This post from TechCrunch makes some great points about print media and the competition with web-based media.

Things that I like / don't like

Like: Mass Transit

Lately there has been lots of talk about using stimulus funds to build regional high speed rail networks. Thank goodness...after visiting Germany last year, I'm a believer.

Don't like: Dress codes/Long lines at bars/Suited doormen

Alright seriously...this is Lansing, and in Lansing there just isn't any need for this...ANY of this. I don't mean that as a knock on Lansing, I just mean that I kinda like Lansing's unpretentious character. Besides, cool bars are cool and trendy not because they have a dress code, long lines, or suited doormen, but because they attract people who are cool...If your bar isn't attracting the clientèle you're aiming for, then do something different, like charging a bigger cover, or playing better music, or having a better atmosphere.

Like: Free online newspaper content

The Associated Press wants a piece of Google's (and Yahoo's) ad revenue from its content - the AP doesn't like news aggregators to score advertising revenue off the free content it gleans from the web. So that's cool, I understand...just don't start charging consumers for the content and taking away the "freeness" of it, and I (and everyone else) will be happy. If Google and Yahoo wants to sells their ads, then let them pay the royalties, and keep it free for the consumer.

Don't like: Voicemail

See my post here.

Like: Turntables (analog/vinyl)

Real DJ's learned on turntables...with vinyl records. Techno was invented in Detroit, and those guys spin on vinyl. Nothing looks cooler than a set of tec 12's and a dude (or girl) jockeying about, throwing 12" vinyl around. And the sound is incredible.

Don't like: Turntables (digital/cd)

Real DJ's learned on turntables...with vinyl records. They may not use them anymore, but at least they can. I met a guy last summer who was apparently a local club DJ in Detroit. Jake and I had turntables set up, and we offered him a spin...except he didn't know how...since he had learned using digital decks, he couldn't figure out how the whole vinyl thing worked...

Like: Linux

The nerd's operating system. I haven't reached nerd status (as far as computers go), but I'm trying. Linux is free, there are a ton of different versions, and it does most anything that Windows does. Also, it's open source, so everyone in the world has the opportunity to make it better.

Don't like: Windows

Expensive, unreliable, resource hog. And it's made by Microsoft. Need I say more?

Like: Cloud computing/remote storage

Accessible from anywhere. Cheap. Reliable. If your hard drive crashes, it really doesn't matter.

Don't like: Local storage

Unless your machine is networked, the data is only accessible from your desktop - which means you've got to lug your machine around. If your hard drive crashes or your gear is stolen, then your stuff is gone.