The release of the Apple iPad is set at April 3rd 2010. In a previous blog I highlighted some points of critique concerning Apple's iPad, like no Adobe flash support. However, Apple has managed to take some points of critique away. How? Just by simply change the websites that contain flash. One of the reasons Apple refuses to support flash content is because it consumes a lot of energy and processing power. So Apple chose not to change anything on their end but on the other side, the websites. The first big website which is changing because of the iPad, is the New York Times. They have reduced the flash content on the frontage and minimized it on the other pages to enhance the viewing via an iPad.
What to do with video's?
Many online digital content is presented in a flash format, HP released a infomercial about this. Just so people would know their HP Slate device with the Windows 7 operating system supports this format.
Apple has included support for YouTube, but for different flash content there was a problem. So what is Apple's response, using HTML5 video content. By enabling the Safari browser for HTML5 content Apple hopes to tackle the flash 'problem' consumers have and still maintain a high battery life.
What makes it special?
The iPad has many advantages with respect to normal e-readers. (That is why e-readers have no real future, because there is no expansion possibility). Apple has already found publishers willing to create content specially designed for the iPad, which seems very nice and because digital is the future, they can't argue with that. By making the books interactive they add an extra dimension to the reading and learning experience and that is where the real possibilities for the publishers lie. In order to justify the higher price of the digital books they should offer something in return.
Not only book publishers are looking into the different new techniques and ways of this new electronic device, also magazine publishers are able to increase sales. Not only by offering something special with the magazine but also because there is a bigger market to sell to (worldwide) once the magazine is offered in the Apple app store and people can easily buy previous issues.
Below is an example (from VIV Magazine) of how publishers are planning to use the iPad for magazines.
Scott Dadich, Creative Director Wired Magazine has an interesting story to tell about his the new direction of Wired Magazine concerning digital content on mobile devices. When summarized, it comes down to fully enrich the digital content to engage with the reader and offer something extra.
The verdict.
At first people underestimated the power of digital content, as could be seen with the mp3 players, and Apple dominates this market. Then people underestimated the iPhone, which is the best sold phone on the market today. So most people also underestimate the iPad which can be a mistake. Also the 30.000 free books from project Gutenberg on the release date is also a nice extra feature for the iStore. However the important thing is that people should be aware of what the the iPad is created for, it's purpose is not to replace a computer or laptop but change a media and/or reading experience. With that in mind, the release of the iPad should be a success.
Links
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdExukJVUGI
http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/17/wireds-tablet-app-goes-on-show-developed-on-air-heading-to-th/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/penguins-ipad-formatted-books-shown-off-making-waves/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p-RZAwQq0E
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/08/hp-slate-makes-an-appearance-to-show-off-flash-stays-for-a-rock/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/16/cynergys-magazine-stand-concept-serves-up-digital-content-a-la/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/18/viv-magazine-ipad-concept-is-sin-city-man/
http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/29/ipad-roundup-new-york-times-and-more-get-html5-video-ipad-app/
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten