In 2008 many things became historic, new ideas and new ways communicating have connected not only the world, but the world of technology. No longer is about which company can out-design, but which company can be more social; supplying instant gratification though the use of smart-phones, email, downloads and compact quality products.
Social networking/marketing genius Twitter, gives instant updates from those experiencing something first hand, allowing links to pictures and video. During the Mumbai attacks, Twitter users brought updates from inside and around the chaos. Turning on CNN is great but, if I can get instant updates from various locations from different points of view, that is priceless.
The use of eBooks is growing and more in demand. The fact that I can download my favorite book, or better yet my children’s favorite book to my iPhone is fantastic. Long drives, flights or waiting rooms become less stressful and gives them more exposure to reading.
Don’t get me wrong, sitting with a warm blanket and a great cup of coffee on a Sunday afternoon curled up reading is wonderful; however, you can’t do that waiting for the dentist.
In the Technology review published by the Telegraph, UK eBooks are among one of the fastest growing gadgets of 2008:
Much as the music industry is slowly getting to grips with digital, so too is the publishing industry. This year saw ebook readers move from geek to mainstream. Amazon launched the Kindle in the US, while in the UK, Waterstones started to sell Sony’s Reader. Other mobile devices, too, embraced the medium, with several apps available for the iPhone that turn the handset into an ebook reader, and even Nintendo announcing that DS users would soon be able to read classics published by HarperCollins on its device. In truth, though, sales of ebooks and ebook readers remain dwarfed by those of old-fashioned “proper” books, but 2008 has arguably seen some much-needed momentum build behind the ebook format.
The industry is booming with opportunity. It is the storefront for many ideas to transpire in the near future. The idea of a magazine being updated online with the latest information, being able to update version of a book without having to buy and new one (all university students will appreciate this one), knowing you are getting the most recent knowledge in what you are reading. Newspapers have the opportunity to do less print more electronic, saves money builds more followers.
