The death of subscription-model newspapers?

The question is simple, would you pay for your online news? Even though some are willing to fork over the modest subscription free for a physically printed copy of their favorite rag, I'd venture to say few would do the same for internet news (even the good stuff).

On Slate today, there was an article by Tim Harford covering the debate, in response to the recently announcement by the New York Times saying almost all its online news material would now be free. Apparently, they believe that ad revenue would more than make up for the loss of the quickly diminishing subscription money. I'm still skeptical.

You can read the article (which is only available in digital form) here, or visit Slate's homepage here.

Before Calvin and Hobbes, There Was...

I was checking out one of my favorite blogs, Boing Boing (you can find the link in the sidebar) today when I came across a link to these scans of early Bill Waterson cartoons.

For those of you not familiar with the cartooning legend, Waterson is the genius behind Calvin and Hobbes. He is also an Ohio native, who got his start drawing for the school newspaper at Kenyon College, The Kenyon Collegian.

You can check out the cartoons here.

He's Doing It

In a feat that is shocking no one, Stephen Colbert has chosen to throw his hat into the ring and compete for the office of President of the United States. Seriously, no joke. Colbert first announced that he was considering running on the Daily Show last night, only to follow up with an official announcement on his show some 15 minutes later that he will be running only in the state of South Carolina. Below is a clip from the show.




On a side note, that hat must be pretty big to fit on his swelled head. I can't wait to see how this one turns out.

I'm Not There

Here is a preview clip from the highly anticipated Bob Dylan biopic titled "I’m Not There." This is the first preview of the film that has been leaked, and wouldn't you know it was on YouTube.The black-and-white clip depicts the first meeting between a young Dylan (portrayed here by actress Cate Blanchett) and beat poet Allen Ginsberg (played by comedian David Cross). As many of you may or may not know, Blanchett is just one of six actors who will be playing the main role, calling forth their inner Bob Dylans to tell the singer/songwriter’s story from the different perspectives of his life. Richard Gere, Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Marcus Carl Franklin and Ben Whishaw will also play the role. I can't wait til it hits theaters on September 21.

Apple Plans Cheaper iPhone

According to the Reuters news organization, Apple Inc. plans to launch a cheaper version of the iPhone near the end of this year that could be based on the ultra-slim iPod Nano music player. The information, released via a JP Morgan report, cites a patent application document dated July 5 that refers to a multifunctional handheld device with a circular touch pad control, similar to the Nano's scroll wheel.

Kevin Chang, a JP Morgan analyst based in Taiwan and author of the report, sees the addition to Apple's mobile lineup as a logical one. "We believe that iPod Nano will be converted into a phone because it's probably the only way for Apple to launch a lower end phone without severely cannibalizing iPod Nano," he said noting that the new phone could have "rather limited functionality."

For all of us (myself included) who didn't manage to scrape together the $600 to buy an iPhone when the product began selling late last month, there is still hope. We too may one day be able to join the smug throngs of Apple's loyal, electronics-addicted devotees.

You can read the original Reuters story here