MSNBC looks like it’s got an overhaul. They’re incorporating some of the smart web 2.0′ish design styles. The main stories at the top are crystal clear, which has pushed down the left nav below the fold. The top nav is simple and intuitive. A refreshing change, well done.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com

Wow, Wikia Search looks a little inspired by Facebook -> http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=2001866209&size=o

A bit shameless I would say.

Article in Wired this month talking about how the iPod doesn’t support other music formats (which really isn’t in the best interest of users).

I have to admit, the iPhone and the Touch are gorgeous.

Just sent around at work, impressive UX -> http://www.boingboing.net/2007/08/08/getting_high_with_ri.html

So, in three words: Virgin America pwns. Here are ten reasons:

(1) Most comfortable coach I’ve experienced on any domestic carrier. Roomy, well-designed seats, nice leg room, seats sit at a pitch that maximizes stretch space.
(2) Obscenely comfy white leather seats (with “massage” feature) in first class. Pretty reasonable first class fares (I suppose they’ll be higher later, but they’re comparatively quite low right now).
(3) They’re using open source software in every place possible. Linux galore.
(4) In-flight, seat-to-seat chat. Now you can bitch about babies crying or barf-inducing turbulence — with emoticons! Or group chat around each TV channel (while you watch TV), or join topic-based chat rooms.
(5) Google Freakin’ Maps. I heard details of additional add-in features they’re planning to launch with this — not bloggable yet, but when they’re live, they’ll be mindblowing.
(6) In-flight entertainment and info system has a super user-friendly GUI, and it’s touchscreen! With little qwerty keyboards!
(7) Games. Including Doom. They’re planning an open source game design competition, will feature winning games on the flights.
(8) In-flight text messaging and email are apparently on the way, as are pay-per-download music sales (mostly Virgin artists at launch, I’d guess).
(9) Movies are fairly recent ones you’d actually want to watch. Large selection of international fare for non-English-speaking passengers. Wide TV selections. You can get channels like IFC and Current in-flight. Music videos. Scan TV listings in a programming guide, see what’s on when. You can set reminders for yourself for TV shows you want to catch.
(10) Some great internet content on the way. They’re doing deals with internet video content producers and other video sources you’d never expect to see on a plane. They plan to have in-flight broadband in place next year (pending FAA approval) for even more frequent video content uploads. Incidentally, they have a smartly designed related method for system software updates. Many cool things about the IT design behind VA.