Though old, it’s quite forward when it comes to modern tech. The New Yorker can boast itself as one of the most digital these days; from David Hockney’s iPad and iPhone cover painting to the 15-plus blogs, a good mix of website audio and video, subscriber access to a digital archive going all the way back to the first issue and over 100,000 digital readers (iPad).

Take a gander at some of the more famous (and often controversial) New Yorker covers published throughout the years:

Our crack team of digital publishers have come together to give geeks a chance at a SXSWi ticket this year. Better still, we’re willing to give it to them free. But…why? Well, because we’re going and we’d like some friends in the tech community to come along with us. All you have to do is mention this blog post on Twitter, Google+ or your own blog to enter.

In other words, if you choose:

Twitter

- Tweet this copy, “Follow @NextIssue then retweet this post (be sure to include the #NextIssue and #SXSWi hashtags) and enter to win a ticket to SXSW Interactive!”

Google+

- Head to our G+ page and +1 our post about this.

- Re-share on your own profile.

Blog

- Post about this giveaway on your blog
- Include a mention of our panel at SXSW and when and where it is being held:

- The panel: “Digital vs. Print: Storyboard to Digital Delivery”

- Date of the panel: March 9 at 2pm in the Sheraton

- The URL of the panel is: http://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/events/event_IAP13155

- Let us know you posted by entering your blog post URL in the comments section below this blog post.
- Be sure to include your email in the comments section in the following form: your name @ your company dot com so we can contact you if you win.
- We’ll then track your post for traffic back to our blog.
- Whoever sends us the most traffic back from their blog wins the ticket.

About this offer:

Contest ends on Feb 29, 2012 at noon Pacific time. We’ll pick two winners at random on either Twitter, Google+ or through a blog post, and contact the winner through the email, Twitter or the Google+ profile provided.

*Ticket is $700 value. Hotel and airfare must be arranged separately.

See special rules for details

Babette March was the first cover model in 1964 and Tyra Banks graced the cover in 1997 as the first African American woman. Look at the changes through the years. March seems the picture of modesty compared to the scantily clad Upton:

For more covers through the decades head to the SI Vault.

A slight yet beautiful woman with an amazing talent. The six-time Grammy Award winner and movie star, Whitney Houston, has died at the age of 48. The cause of her death still unknown at this time. Here is a look back through the magazines at her life and the musical gift she shared with us:

People (1986) – A young Whitney Houston on the cover with the headline You Name Her America’s Top New Star.

Time (1987) – Show Business: The Prom Queen of Soul - There she stands, Miss Black America. With her impeccable face, sleek figure and supernova smile, she looks like a Cosby kid made in heaven.

New Yorker (1988) – A compilation of Popular Records (must be a subscriber for access).

InStyle (2009) - Whitney Houston, Covergirl - Whitney Houston is back and better than ever! And she’s sharing her comeback secrets in our new issue.

Essence (2011) – Whitney Wants More Time in Rehab - After completing a 30-day rehab program earlier this week, Whitney Houston has decided to seek additional treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.

Essence (2012) – Whitney Houston Turns 48 - Though her most recent past has been rocky — filled with drug and alcohol abuse, and several stints in rehab – she stands a good chance of getting back on top.

Entertainment Weekly (2012) – Whitney Houston, A Life in Videos.

Entertainment Weekly (2012) – Whitney Houston, Her Highs and Lows.

People (2012) – Whitney Houston’s Most Memorable Looks - Her first album, the self-titled Whitney Houston, was an out-of-the-gate success, landing her two American Music Awards and a chance to stand out: The singer selected a sparkling striped blazer and wild curls to collect her first trophies.

Time (2012) - Whitney Houston, The Voice (1963-2012) - Several years ago in Los Angeles, I walked out of a hotel in Westwood and saw a beautiful but slight woman step out of a limousine, stride past her bodyguards and head up the front steps. It took me several moments to say to myself, “Isn’t that Whitney Houston?”

People (2012) – Whitney Houston’s Death. A Light Has Been Dimmed in the Music Industry - The loss of a legend on the eve of Sunday’s Grammys has brought a message of condolence from the Recording Academy.

Kim’s wedding – on the cover of People Magazine

Kim Kardashian was everywhere in 2011. She had a near year-long feature on any given number of magazines. But according to the latest WWD report, the babe often bombs. Further, all three sisters from the Kardashian clan crash when it comes to magazine sales. So why do we still see them…everywhere?

While they aren’t guaranteed newsstand gold, cover numbers sometimes soar. Kim was Glamour’s bestseller of the year last February. Same with Cosmo (bringing in 1.8 million in sales). But the January 2012 Glamour featuring the sister trio didn’t get past 400,000. Other magazine sales with just Kim were  only slightly above average. Time Inc plunged a sizable six figures into the rights to post Kim’s wedding photos on People magazine, which sold a good 28% higher than average. But after her quickie marriage ended, the recently divorced bride plummeted  in cover sales. However, sister Kourtney’s “Pregnant and Alone” story in InTouch was a relative success. While the sisters three continue to get on cover after cover, it’s a publishing gamble.

Sidenote: Rumor has it the Kardashian sisters are starting their own magazine.

Next Issue is giving away a year’s worth of magazine subscriptions to several winners throughout the month of February. It’s as simple as “Liking” our Facebook fan page and then picking out your favorite cover from the selection provided.

1. Just head on over to our Facebook fan page and (if you haven’t already) “Like” us now.

2. You’ll then see a bevy of magazine covers. Pick the one you like the most.

3. If you post your selection on your page or invite your friends to “Like” Next Issue you get an extra entry.

4. Now you’re entered to win!

One entry per day per participant.

Winners will be picked at random every other day or so – so check back on our page often to see if you won!

Enter on our Facebook fan page for your chance to win a free subscription to your favorite magazine for a whole year!

See official rules 

Fortune comes out with a spread today on the best car ads (see our previous mention of the Honda commercial featuring Matthew Broderick reprising Ferris Bueller). Check out the Reinvented Camry commercial from Toyota. It already has over 359,000 views on Youtube.

And Entertainment Weekly has the skinny on the plethora of car commercials sure to hit the screen this Sunday. Watch this Twilight/True Blood ref with the Audi Vampire Party ad:

See EW’s guide to all the most notable Super Bowl ads this year, starting with Will Arnett’s evil Hulu plot to take over the world:

For a look back at one of the most famous Super Bowl ads of all time take a look at this Apple Macintosh Commercial from 1984. It aired only once to a global audience:

Today’s commercials cost 3.5 million each for a 30 second spot. Watch for more interactivity online and with your mobile device during the game as well.

- First let’s discuss advertising. The Super Bowl is famous for outlandish, funny and over the top ads. This year advertisers seem to be pre-gaming with early releases over the internet. Look for Matthew Broderick’s Honda commercial in People this week. Broderick charms with a modern day Ferris Bueller:

- Be sure to check out the cover of The New Yorker on the Next Issue app. It depicts a clever cross-reference to both the current political game and our football favorites. A controversial cartoon from a controversial cover artist.

- Need help knowing who to root for? 50 Cent tells Entertainment Weekly he will tweet nude pics of himself if the Giants lose the game.

- You may find yourself tweeting back. Time Magazine says people participate in the Super Bowl largely through social media channels these days. Digital CEO Taulbee Jackson will lead the Super Bowl’s first ever social media command center this year.

- Looking for a good primer to the past? Leave it to Sports Illustrated to lay out the last 45 years of the game.

- And last but not least – FOOD! Game day wouldn’t be the same without some good noshing, right? And of course we have quite a few cooking magazines to choose from here. Check out Real Simple’s 10 Easy Party Dips, for starters.

Now that you know the game, who will you be cheering for this Sunday?

Here’s why:

1. Focus - Looking at pictures and words of the things you want to achieve can help keep your attention on them (especially when you are tempted to stray).

2. Association – Visuals help us make connections in our brain to the things we want most. Creating one can actually help us work out how to achieve the things we most desire.

3. Ideas - Looking at a collage of pictures, flipping through magazines or reading inspiring articles give us ideas about things we want in life (be it a new house, job, living room redesign). This gives us great ideas.

4. Goal Setting – You see it, you do it. It’s that simple. Achievement experts will tell you that having a visual not only keeps you focused on your goal but actually helps you set that goal in your mind.

Happen to be on Pinterest? Get some inspiration for your dreams on our Dream Big board. We’ve pinned quite a few fun things from several of our magazines. You can also post your dream inspiration on our Facebook fan page.

Pinterest.com/nextissue

Brrr! It’s cold and snowy across the nation right now. Lucky for us, we have quite a few cooking magazines replete with warm, delicious and easy to make soups for a day like today. Here are 5 recipes to warm you over dinner tonight:

1. 30-Minute Chili – Southern Living. Who says chili has to be time-intensive? Not with this recipe. Check out how easy it is to make.

2. Easy Southwestern Chicken Soup – Always a modern twist on the classics with RealSimple magazine. This one’s warm and spicy.

3.  If you’re more into vegetarian fare, try Cooking Light’s Fiery Tofu and Coconut Curry Soup.

4. Check out this great video tutorial from Cooking Light on how to make Spicy Tortilla Soup with Shrimp and Avocado (takes only 20 minutes for the whole thing).

5 Seafood not your thing but still feeling Southwestern? RealSimple has a delish (and easy!) recipe for classic tortilla soup here.

There are hundreds of great soup recipes (and more) from our cooking magazines. Download our app and discover what you can create.