New York Times paywall goes live ⇥

$35 every four weeks for iPad, smartphone and web access seems a bit expensive, especially when you don’t get extra crosswords, and other features that may have “restrictions applied.” I don’t see why they think tiered access is the right approach. That said, it’s always easier for them to bring the price down if it tanks.

Also of note, they will be offering subscriptions at a reduced price to students and faculty of some schools, though which schools will have this opportunity is unclear.

Subscriptions wouldn’t fail so spectacularly if they kept the pricing simple and reasonable, and made their apps work well (the Times’ smartphone and iPad apps both are second-rate when compared to news apps from Reuters, the BBC and various RSS readers).