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Remember when Google Labs existed (a short month ago) and the company would test all of their new products in a fun environment that encouraged only the best products to continue their path of development, well now the New York Times is attempting to create that same type of culture among their readers by announcing Beta620, a platform which enables NYT online community members to test new experimental products.
Attempting to gain some ground on new media company’s the New York Times hopes they can create new products that allow for better online creation of news stories, better interaction among community users and various new apps.
Using the system users will be able to provide immediate feedback to the New York Times staff by logging in and commenting on projects.
According to NYTimes.com General Manager Denise Warren:
“For several years, the New York Times has hosted internal challenges and external events designed to foster innovation and idea-sharing within the Times across the developer community.”
“Beta620 gives a permanent home to that tradition of innovation, and it invites our loyal community of users to join in the discussion, as we test and learn to create leading-edge products that will elevate the user experience on NYTimes.com.”
Users can also use a “suggestion tab” to suggest new innovations that the company may choose to implement in new Beta620 projects.
The move makes sense for the New York Times as they attempt to find new ways to communicate and interact with site members in an industry that has seen innovation largely arrive from new media company’s who rely more heavily on the interaction with their site visitors than traditional reporting and editorial feedback.
Hopefully some new features will find their way not only onto the New York Times but various new media reporting sites as they gain traction, perhaps old media will be able to teach new media something about technology after all.
