Publish on Ipad – The way of the future?

• The newest ‘next big thing’ for publishing is the Ipad and other similar technology. With the iPad, as with the Kindle and various other devices, there is a glimpse of the future where everyone can access vast libraries of information and entertainment via a hand-held, tactile, computerised reader.
  
  Many publishing media hoe to benefit from these new technologies. Newspapers are the prime example. If the use of such devices become ubiquitous newspapers can be delivered direct to the readership, updated continuously, and provide written, visual and multimedia content to the reader. The vision is of a new type of newspaper, specifically designed for, and published on, e-reader technology. It is a new form of media whose intricacies are waiting to be explored.
  
  But will this save failing media industries - such as newspapers, books or magazines? Although publishers will save on printing and transport costs there are other costs that will be associated with publishing in the new media
  
• Commissions will still need to be paid to vendors, though the vendor will be Apple (or Amazon, etc) rather than bookstores or newsagents
• The content providers will still expect to be paid
• People are reluctant to pay for online content, resulting in a smaller buying public meaning sales income will fall
• The lack of a physical product, such as a book or magazine, will mean that people expect to pay less for the same content
• Without a physical product, readership - as opposed to the buying public – will be dramatically reduced
• With a smaller buying public and reduced readership less advertising - and advertising income - can be expected
• With a smaller buying public and reduced readership less classified advertising can be expected, with a resultant loss of income
  
  Will the savings new technologies can deliver in terms of decreased production or transport costs outweigh the costs of participating in the new media? Not yet, the technology is too new, and not enough people have access to it. But, think of that future where everyone has a computerised reader - and it’s very possible that we will see a revitalisation of these failing publishing media as they embrace new forms.
  
  
  References:
  Beecher, E 2010 The Ipad won’t save newspapers Crikey.com viewed on 15 April 2010
  Image thanks to Francesco Marino at freedigitalphotos.net