Glossy photos, meticulous design, colorful language—all backed by months of research, days of shoots, and hours of interviews. Can you tell I’m a publishing industry transplant? My humble home has become a mini-library for just about every magazine, from Midwest Living, Cuisine at Home, and ReadyMade to Glamour, Elle, and InStyle. I’ll admit it, I even stash my boyfriend’s GQ and Men’s Health (hey, they have good recipes!) … and don’t get me started on throwing out my back issues of W.
I know the amount of work that goes into each magazine issue, and while they’re no books—years upon years of thought, time, research, emotion—magazines have, alas, become rather indispensable to me.
I love getting style, design, and baking ideas from old issues, but in truth, I cannot allow myself to become a hoarder. Who honestly wants to be buried in years-worth of monthly magazines, or worse yet, weekly New Yorker issues? It’s cluttering, and frankly, tiring. Books can stay (thus, my refusal to buy the Kindle); (most) magazines must go.
Much to my delight, there’s a new genius device for magazine lovers—the Tablet. Even more to my delight, Apple is (unofficially) the Tablet’s creator, which pretty much guarantees simple yet intelligent design principles and functions.
A recent Mashable article goes into detail about Time Inc.’s efforts to release a digital form of Sports Illustrated. To get the full “experience,” you really must watch this video, but I will give you a few of the best parts:
- You can “flip through” the entire magazine cover to cover (no paper cuts!)
- You can rearrange the issue to read it any way you want
- You can circle your favorite photos/information and share it on various social media outlets
- Advertising is interactive, re: demo videos
- The Swimsuit Issue has the ability to “come to life” before your eyes, think: video, not just pictures
With a release date of 2010, I can barely contain my excitement to see if this will actually pull though. This could be a revelation in the way publishers all over the world conduct business.
Would you be interested in magazine consumption via the Tablet? What are the best and worst issues you foresee in digital publishing?
[Photo from theseanster93 on Flickr / CC BY 2.0]
{ 1 trackback }
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I am guilty of saving way too many back issues of Bon Appetit and Country Home. Personally I think there’s something more relaxing about flipping through a printed issue than scanning a Tablet, but I’m excited to see how magazines will embrace technology and hopefully find a way to make it profitable. I think Esquire has done a good job of pushing the envelope with its print edition combining the experience of flipping through a print issue with new technology (check out the Dec cover’s AR) .
Andrea,
Thanks for taking the time to comment on my post. I totally agree with the relaxing aspect of flipping through the print version (especially with Country Home magazine, which sadly, isn’t with us anymore!). Print is incomparable in many aspects, especially when many people (like myself) are in front of an electronic device (or four!) all day long. Kudos to you for noting Esquire’s Augmented Reality Issue, also cool. Truly an exciting time for publishers everywhere.
Thanks again, and keep reading!
Abby
I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily a magazine hoarder, however considering I have subscriptions to about 7 magazines, when the first week of the month hits, they usually come in droves and I’m left with a giant pile. I don’t have as much time for magazines as I used to, so the pile continues to grow to monstrous proportions. However, once I finish a magazine I usually give them to one of my friends, as they seem to be the real hoarders.
But would I give up my pile for technology? I’m gonna say no. While I think it’s a great idea and would definitely save on paper, to me, there’s nothing better than the real thing. Granted, I still read the newspaper online, completely negating the need for the real thing, but with magazines half the fun is looking at the newest ad campaigns.
Jill,
I’m happy to hear that you’ve realized the dangers that come with hoarding.
But in all seriousness, it’s great to hear your response regarding print—especially since you are part of Generation Y, the era many associate with technological obsession/dependence. Perhaps, if nothing else, Apple should be working with Gannett and other major newspaper publishers to create a Tablet for their medium. Thanks again, Ms. DiLibero!
Abby
I hate getting magazines! Ok, that is an over generalization and hate is a strong word…but, every time I sign up for a Road Race or Triathlon via active.com I get to the option for a free 3 month subscription to a magazine. I typically, regrettably, get one but never read the content and it just piles up on my kitchen table until I get the mojo to throw them out. When most of the content is already available online there is little to no reason to continue the abuse of the ecosystem printing hard copy content. I realize there are generations of people who still enjoy magazines, but it is time for the shift to the Tablet or even the Internet…actually it is too late in my opinion.
Pete,
Thanks for reading, it’s interesting to hear different peoples’ opinions on print vs. digital. Is it more that you strongly dislike the clutter that subscriptions amass, or is it that you would just prefer reading content on a device (whether it be a computer or the Tablet)? I definitely prefer giving my eyes a rest from staring at the computer screen all day and relaxing with a tangible book or magazine; however, it’s hard to deny the seemingly endless functionality found in the Tablet. For example (as seen in the video), the ability to physically circle content on the screen with your finger and share it via social networks with your friends? I share (what I find to be) interesting content—news stories, statistics, videos— all day long from various internet sources, so why not also share content from my favorite magazine? It only makes sense with me. I’m right there with you. Who knows, maybe we will both get a Tablet for Christmas 2010! Thanks again for your input.
Abby.
Dan Pink also posted about this today!
http://www.danpink.com/archives/2009/12/is-this-the-future-of-magazines
I have been following the rumor for maybe 8 months now and this is an interesting post about what the Apple tablet will be used for.
The truth is, our brains desperately want to interact with the objects we come in contact with. I have said it once before and I will say it again. Texture, smell and indirect light make paper so irresistible. EVERYONE prefers to read off of paper. The tragedy is, paper takes up space and it simply isn’t as convenient as your tablet or iPhone.
Where does your brain function preference finally get beat out by convenience? Will this be it?
Justin,
Thanks for the comment, an interesting point of view from the physiological side of things. I totally see where you’re coming from, re: texture and smell. Not only the scents associated with ink on the pages, but all the fold-out perfume and cologne “testers.” Who doesn’t love those? Granted, the Tablet has print beat in regards to interactive advertising with most other products, but it doesn’t sound like it will be able to release fragrances from high-paying perfume advertisers. Though, who knows, maybe it’s too soon to rule out the rest of the senses—olfactory, or otherwise—from Tablet functionalities?! Good stuff, thanks again for reading.
Abby