I've been playing with the NYT Reader application for a while now, it's a pretty good way of replicating/improving the readability of the online site and is way better than a standard browser. There are a number of publications which are looking at similar software, which, IMHO, sort of defeats the point, why do I want a single app for each newspaper I look at online? Hint: I don't. Still, reading the NYT on my tablet has been sweet.
Today, I get this mail:
Dear Times Reader Beta Testers,
We want to thank you for your input during this free beta
period. You and your fellow beta testers have been a great
help in the development of Times Reader.
This note is to let you know that the beta period will be
ending in two weeks. Times Reader will launch as a
subscription service on March 27. It will cost $14.95 a month
or $165 a year and will include access to TimesSelect and
Premium Crosswords. Times Reader will be free to home
delivery subscribers.
When we launch Times Reader, we will include many of your
recommendations -- such as improvements to navigation, more
keyboard shortcuts, and a 7-day archive. To thank you for
your participation in the beta period, we are extending a
special offer to you. Sign up before March 27 and receive 14
months for the price of 12.
http://www.nytimes.com/BetaOffer
Thank you again for participating in the beta period. We will
continue to improve the Times Reader experience and welcome
your feedback. If you'd like to receive updates about Times
Reader, we invite you to sign up for the Times Reader e-mail
newsletter.
http://www.nytimes.com/TimesReaderEmail
So much for extending their audience reach -- this ranks right up there on the dumb scale as putting the opinion page behind the Times Select Wall! Here they have people ASKING to see their coverage, installing a specific program that SHOWS THEM ADS and now they want to charge for it too.
Dumb.