My new role at Engadget: editor-in-chief
Back in June of 2004 when Pete tricked me persuaded me to write a bit on the side for Engadget, I figured it’d be an entertaining way to flex my then-atrophying writing muscle and play with some gadgets. But I never fathomed just how Engadget would change — and change me — in the coming years. It’s almost surreal to say, but just a couple weeks shy of my third year I’ve accepted the role of Engadget’s new editor-in-chief, an honor I’m ill-equipped to articulate and unsure I’ll ever be able to live up to — but I’ll try.
I’ll save the mushy stuff for my eventual (unauthorized) autobio, so it only seems appropriate to get down to the brass-tacks, and I think the thing most people will wonder is exactly how things are going to change around Engadget. The long and short of it is that I’ve been managing the site’s editorial for well over a year now, and the publication itself has always been a constantly changing, constantly evolving entity. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved and I think we’ve long since reached an excellent stride as the go-to source for obsessive, exhaustive, entertaining, and enlightening coverage of the CE space. In other words, things will be as good (or better) tomorrow as they were yesterday.
I’m also very glad to say that busy as we all know Peter is, we won’t yet be losing him to the world at large. He’ll be sticking with us in his new role as editorial director, wherein he’ll continue to help guide and contribute to Engadget — so you’ll still hear us on the podcast, still see us eyes-deep in posts at trade shows, and still hang out with us at reader meetups. Frankly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. For my money, Pete’s the best in the business and I’m extremely grateful Engadget’s magnetism hasn’t lost its hold on him.
Of course, Engadget is a team effort before anything else, and none of it would be possible to sustain without the incredible work done daily by our unwavering team of writers and contributors. The success of brand like Engadget falls on no one person’s shoulders, and I’m as stoked as ever to be a part of such an amazing team.
There’s no doubt: we’ve still got a long road ahead of us and plenty more to accomplish. I’m personally really looking forward to the second half of this year (starting, of course, with the momentous launch of a certain cellphone). And as always, I’m extremely grateful for the support of my family, friends, and colleagues; the readers and fans of Engadget whose undying love of tech truly makes everything we do possible; and especially Peter — not only for getting me involved three years ago, but for giving me this next unbelievable opportunity.
(Press and media can reach Peter and myself via email: mediacontact at engadget dot com.)
Ryan, congratulations on the promotion. It’s well-deserved. I hope with the new role that you can continue the high level of gadget lust and enthusiasm you’ve displayed since your start. Keep up the excellent work.
Comment by Louis Gray — Friday, June 8, 2007 @ 9:48 am
Congrats on the very well deserved promotion!
Comment by Laurie Shulman — Friday, June 8, 2007 @ 10:44 am
Kick ass! congrats Ryan.
Comment by Adam Jackson — Friday, June 8, 2007 @ 10:59 am
Congratulations Ryan - well deserved!
Comment by Dan Blank — Friday, June 8, 2007 @ 11:12 am
just chiming in with a congrats!
Comment by Victor — Friday, June 8, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
Thanks everybody!
Comment by Ryan Block — Friday, June 8, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Wow! A slightly belated congratulations to you!
Comment by John B. — Friday, June 8, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
Mazel Tov!
Comment by Jeremy Toeman — Friday, June 8, 2007 @ 3:00 pm
Congrats man, VERY well deserved! I also enjoy the dynamic between you and Peter.
Best Wishes
Comment by Otsego_Undead — Friday, June 8, 2007 @ 8:21 pm
congratulations, Ryan!
Comment by richard baguley — Friday, June 8, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
Congrats Ryan!
Comment by Yuvi — Friday, June 8, 2007 @ 8:41 pm
Just adding another congrats to the pile. Keep up the great work! And thanks for the plugs over the years!
Comment by Jeff Keller — Friday, June 8, 2007 @ 8:45 pm
Ryan, congrats on the promotion to EiC - much deserved, my friend!
Comment by Jay Wilson — Saturday, June 9, 2007 @ 11:31 pm
‘Grats dude!
Comment by Darren Murph — Monday, June 11, 2007 @ 2:15 pm
Congrats, Ryan! Well deserved. Glad to hear Peter’s still around, separately, you’re consummate professionals and great writers/editors. Together, you are a potent force for gadget goodness.
Comment by John Porcaro — Tuesday, June 12, 2007 @ 9:36 am
Thanks, thanks, and thanks again!
And John, way looking forward to E3, bud!
Comment by Ryan Block — Tuesday, June 12, 2007 @ 9:44 am
Ryan story is really amazing, I think that when we want something hard enough in life it’s always worth it to go for it. I am happy I stumbled on his bio( http://ontheinside.info/author/ryan-block/ ) and the interview tonight because like so many other people out there I’m looking for opportunity.I guess I can kind of relate to Ryan because i have like 600$ bucks in the account and I just gotta go for it. The problem was still the it, but iv been looking hard (for a long time now too long )and recently while i wasn’t really looking, a great opportunity has come up. About half an hour away from my place a new project is in development a 425 million dollar project at Lac Mirabel. This is a huge project by Gordon Group Holdings, well take a look for yourself. http://www.lacmirabel.com/leasing.php
Ryan has inspired me even more to work on the plans iv been brainstorming the last few days.
I have two Ideas for a site and i need to choose one, or perhaps I should even kind of combine both.
My 1st Idea (business plan) is to open a tech store and internet cafe, with new and cool gadgets and in store reviews. A nice looking modern techy but kinda zen looking place.Peace full but techy (if that makes scence)
The second is a tech and gadget learn/play area for the kids and adults. Orientated around trying out new gadgets or the latest video games (kind of like to replace arcades,) With awesome gaming experiences on huge screens with great sound, games like flight simulator with the best joysticks or great racing games… Also with the same kinda look of the internet cafe( but more techy looking).
So as a big picture these are my two ideas that i am working hard on to turn first into presentable business plans, and then to reality.With what the Mirabel project represents i think my model would fit very well with their vision.
So now,… This being the first reply blog? (i guess) I have ever wrote on the net, first anything over 50 words on the net (I hardly even write E-Mails)LOL. I can only try my hardest to make this work.
If anyone actually reads this because i have no experience with writing and just don’t really know if someone looks at the reply’s… This interview and Ryan’s bio inspired me for the first time to write something to someone I don’t even know, about bigs steps I am about to take.
I don’t know who will read this but I am looking for advice or possibly business partners in the near future.I will need help and will looking for any advice or feedbeack. So thats my response to “Interview with Engadget’s Ryan Block”
Thanks you very much for taking the time to read
If possible to send this message to Ryan Block or anyone you know would like to read this.
Frederick Paulsen, February 4 3:48 in the morning
Comment by Fred Paulsen — Monday, February 4, 2008 @ 1:48 am
[...] became Engadget’s chief editor in June 2007. He took the spot after founding editor in chief Rojas left the blog full time to launch RCRD LBL, [...]
Pingback by Engadget’s Ryan Block and Peter Rojas To Team On New Startup — Tuesday, July 1, 2008 @ 11:54 am
You’re such a good writer. I always read your blog. It’s cool
Comment by chendee — Monday, July 28, 2008 @ 6:51 pm