A few nuggets from an NYT (NYSE: NYT) First Look post about Times Reader by Rob Larson, Vice President, Product Management, NYTimes.com, reporting the results of a survey taken by more than 4,500 users:
— The Mac version of the digital reader designed with Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) is still a few months away. The first version won’t have all the Windows features so will be a free beta. The paper plans a 2008 version that will offered as a subscription service and — as is the case with the Windows version — included with home delivery subscriptions. (Sorry, Rob, as a home sub with a recent price increase, getting hard for me to think of it as “free.”) Times Reader currently runs $14.95 a month
— Survey participants asked for a limit on advertising with rapid animation. Larson: “We agree with you. We designed Times Reader to be a quiet reading experience, and the animated ads, which are so prevalent on the Web, detract from that experience.” In response, they’re drawing up specs for a new ad format to strike the right balance. that will encourage the use of static images (much as you see in the printed paper) but will allow subtle animation. The format will use static images with subtle animation. Those who choose to interact with the ad will see full animation and interactivity.
— The #1 request was for better breaking news access. The Times Reader defaults to 30-minute syncs; they’re hoping to offer a 15-minute option, which still won’t be fast enough for breaking news. They’re now working on a way to broadcast news alerts through Times Reader at the same time as they post on NYTimes.com.
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