The next time you shop online, you just might be prompted to switch on your webcam and opt to let marketers gauge your reaction to their wares.

A company called Affectiva, which grew out of a research group at the MIT Media Lab, has developed a new app that tracks your emotional responses via webcam.

Psyched about the latest smartphone? Annoyed by yet one more fruit juicer ad? The app analyzes your expressions of delight or dire irritation and sends this vital information back to anxious marketers.

Here’s a clip of Affectiva Co-Founder Rosalind Picard speaking about the app at Web 2.0 San Francisco 2011. Begin at about minute 7:32.

The app has clear benefits for companies, but what’s in it for consumers?

“If you are willing to turn on your webcam and let us see that, we’ll try to offer you better service,” said Picard in an interview with Marketplace.

Will the promise of better service be enough to inspire consumers to share their emotions with strangers?

Consumers willingly share updates, links, photos and even their locations on sites like Facebook and Foursquare, but these sites are generally geared towards information sharing among users’ respective social graphs.

What do you think? Would you be willing to opt in to share your emotional responses to products using Affectiva’s app?

Curious about how the app works. Check out this demo on Forbes.com.

Beginning today, the New York Times is changing its subscription model by putting a cap on how much content non-subscribers may access on its site and mobile applications. The new digital subscription plan permits users to read 20 articles for free each month. Any articles readers click on through social media such as Facebook or Twitter would also be free.

Courtesy of takgoti

To view more content on the site, users must purchase a subscription ranging from $15 to $35 per month, depending on which package the subscriber chooses.

The Times notes that users will still be able to access the home page and blog fronts, as well as full slide shows, but they will not be able to see the accompanying text once the reader has reached their 20-article quota.

The new subscription model is unprecedented for publications of The Times’ stature. According to New York Times Media Reporter Jeremy Peters, “No American news organization as large as The Times has tried to put its content behind a pay wall after allowing unrestricted access. The move is being closely watched by anxious publishers, which have warily embraced the Web and struggled with how to turn online journalism into a profitable business.”

Despite the optimism of some publishers, others are expressing doubts about the success of The Times’ new digital subscription plan.

Citing a potential loophole by way of social media, PC Magazine Reporter Leslie Horn writes, “One of the most discussed gaping holes in the system is via Twitter. When the subscription service plans were announced, last Thursday, it took less than 12 hours for a twitter feed, @FreeNYT feed to pop up with the intention of tweeting out every article posted by the Times, giving anyone free access. Now the Times has asked Twitter to suspend the account, on the basis that it is in violation of the Times‘ trademark.”

“The New York Times has shot itself in the foot with this paywall,” adds Horn. “It’s easy to defeat because frankly, that’s the way it was built. I want the Times to succeed. But if there is any chance of success, the company will have to drastically rethink its subscription service.”

Time will tell if the new model will gain traction and establish a reliable revenue stream for The Times.

A career in public relations can very fulfilling. For many, the best part of being a tech PR pro is working directly with CEOs, entrepreneurs and other key decision makers; interacting with journalists and bloggers; pitching stories and executing social media campaigns.

Photo courtesy of DoktorSpinn

It can also be exciting to strategize, craft messaging for announcements and get a sneak peek at technological innovations before they are revealed to the public.

For those looking to launch a career in PR, the following are a few tips that have worked well for many PR pros:

1. Network, network, network – Building real, meaningful relationships with people who are in a position to help you is invaluable. Determine who among your network of friends and contacts works in PR and ask them for advice. You should also take advantage of local networking events.

Additionally, you might consider sending your college or university’s career development center an email asking for a list of alums who have communications jobs in your area. If they are kind enough to provide such a list, sending a polite email to alums requesting career advice is a great way to learn more about the field and, if you’re lucky, get that essential first interview.

2. Establish yourself on social media - If you haven’t already, get a Twitter account (preferably in your real name) and begin following people in the PR industry in your area. Twitter’s search feature can help you identify these folks. Be sure to listen first to get a handle on social media etiquette and the topics they’re discussing, and–when you feel confident–begin an ongoing dialogue about relevant topics. You’ll also want to follow folks like PR Week (leading trade publication), Doug Haslam (communications pro) Shannon Paul (social media consultant).

A polished Linkedin profile is also essential, and don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations on the site from people who have been pleased with your work, whether it’s a college professor or a colleague. Linkedin is a great tool for networking and searching for jobs, and having strong recommendations from people in your network will help you get the attention of recruiters.

3. Read — a lot! – Set up RSS feeds on Google Reader to read publications like TechCrunch, Mashable and PR Week, as well as blogs such as ChrisBrogan.com, Social Media Explorer and Web Ink Now. Keeping abreast of tech, PR and online marketing news and best practices will help you be a more effective and knowledgeable PR pro.

4. Start out at a PR agency (if possible) – While you can’t always choose the exact job you want, it’s a good idea to get some initial experience at a PR agency, if possible. Why? Well, first of all, you tend to have multiple clients, so you quickly gain experience across a broad range of industries. Agencies also tend to be fast-paced environments, so you  learn to keep up and meet deadlines under pressure, and you also tend to experience many different management styles, as you will likely be on multiple teams. This broad range of experience will serve you well in your budding career.

5. Branch out – Once you have a PR job, try to get a range of experience, including media relations, social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), events, speaking, etc. The field of PR is changing rapidly, so you want to make sure you have a lot of skills that you can market later as your career evolves.

6. Ask a lot of questions – The beauty of PR is that you have a lot of direct contact with executives, journalists and bloggers. Never miss an opportunity to learn more about their backgrounds, their areas of expertise, insights into industry trends and the strategies they use to be very successful people. This wealth of information can be tremendously valuable in informing your own career choices and helping you become a more effective PR pro.

7. Take note of what you like – PR is a very diverse field, so it’s important to know what aspects of the industry you most enjoy. To find a long-lasting and fulfilling career, it helps to know whether you prefer B2B vs. B2C PR, an agency vs. in-house experience, consumer electronics vs. software, etc. In time, you will begin to identify your interests and areas of expertise. Knowing what these are can help you find a fulfilling job for years to come.

By networking, staying informed and never missing an opportunity to learn new skills, you will be well poised to launch a fulfilling career in public relations.

What strategies have worked well for you? Your suggestions are welcome.