Speaking at a media summit event, Condé Nast’s vice president for business development said that rather than blocking off content behind a paywall, the company wants to build “multi-channel relationships” with its readers.
It’s good to hear that Condé Nast is more clueful about building an audience in the new media than some other publishing conglomerates—though given that they publish both Wired and Ars Technica, this is hardly a surprise.
Speaking of building an audience, journalist Scott Kirsner’s 2009 book Fans, Friends & Followers: Building an Audience and a Creative Career in the Digital Age is available as a free PDF download for the duration of the South by Southwest conference—a $12 value.
Qualcomm has submitted a patent for a unique-looking folding device made up of three rectangular panels hinged together in an “n” shape. The idea is that, opened flat, it forms a wide tablet-type display—but folded up, it has a smartphone form factor. (It can apparently also be partially folded in a variety of configurations, including an alarm clock.)
Seems like it might be a bit flimsy, and the cracks between the panes might be distracting while watching a video—but if these disadvantages can be overcome, it might just combine the best of both worlds. Assuming it actually gets built, rather than merely remaining a patent concept.
Michael Arrington is bemused to see that Barnes & Noble has taken note of TechCrunch’s “Crunchies” award, which was bestowed upon the Nook for Best New Gadget of 2009. Mention of the award is featured prominently in great big letters on the newest in-store Nook advertising poster. Arrington is asking if anyone can get TechCrunch one of said posters.
