This isn’t really Apple news per se asides from a few iPad users, but we thought it was interesting none-the-less. The Times is experimenting with their infamous paywall, a model where you’ll need to pay a subscription fee for online content. I personally don’t care for blocking access to written material, but we have some (unofficial) numbers on how successful The Times actually was. It boils down to this: 150,000 registered during the trial period during the first month of implementation. That’s not too shabby, but only 15,000 paid (of which there are 12,500 are iPad consumers). Unsurprisingly, site visits have declined by 67 percent during the time the paywall has been implemented. The Times hasn’t officially responded, though we imagine if they’re still racking in a good dime off of their few loyal customers, they certainly won’t be changing how they distribute content any time soon.

Personally I’m in favor of optional membership you’ll see on Daring Fireball, or even pay-to-comment models that the Sun Chronicle implements.

[via PaidContent.org]