LinkedIn, everybody's favorite professional social media networking site unveiled its new "News" feature (still in Beta) today in conjunction with a press conference. "Today" is part of a suite of new features that the already successful startup is rolling out in the near future to further endear themselves to social professionals.

[I hope everyone appreciates the Inception-level of meta-irony here]

"Today" utilizes a LinkedIn user's already existing professional network and the industry in which that person currently works to share relevant and current news. It is yet another information aggregator, but there's not a heavy degree of customization required if you've already a LinkedIn user. And unless your industry is Aeronautical Internet Pancakes, "following" relevant industries is as easy as the click of a button in a conveniently located side bar.

The other two features are "InMaps", a visual depiction of your professional network, and a "Skills" interface that tells you what people are using what skills in which industry.

This last one doesn't seem that exciting. But, I am definitely excited to replace or otherwise enhance those weekly/daily email digests/alerts I get from LinkedIn.

Here's a somewhat campy promotional video from LinkedIn that made me laugh: