New York Times introduces new 'Sunday browsing' application

The New York Times has announced its as yet un-named application, which aims to recreate the effects of browsing the newspaper on a Sunday, "spreading out the paper on a table while eating brunch".  The application lays out as many stories as possible in a grid on the page, not displayed with a date but fading as they age.  Users can browse stories by topic, a little like choosing which section of the newspaper to read, and there are plenty of keyboard commands for the efficiency lovers.

Whilst the NYT admits that it can not replicate "the satisfying crinkle of the paper; the circular stain of your coffee; the smell of newsprint", the very attempt to put the better aspects of newspapers onto a website is a very telling sign of current media trends.  The website doesn't give a launch date for the new application, but it provides a prototype for users to try and "hopes the result is a little taste of Sunday relaxation, whenever you need it".

Source: New York Times