Top: Time e-reader, photo credit: Sports Illustrated. Middle: Skiff e-reader. Bottom: iPad, image courtesy of Apple
With the rise of the public’s expectation of free internet content, the world of newspapers, magazines and books has struggled to make pace – and break even – with technology. However, innovation is happening and ushering in some of the most dynamic tech products since the unveiling of the iPod: new and improved e-readers, interactive devices appealing to a new generation of readers. Three in particular have caught our eye.
Time Inc.’s magazine tablet, unlike Amazon’s Kindle, is demonstrated as bright and filled with cool virtual technology. Unlike the static content of paper mags, the gadget allows publishers to pack in behind-the-scenes images and video, while also giving the reader the freedom to rearrange and dig deeper into content to their liking. Advertisements, no longer locked in a freeze-frame, can also come to life: a Weber ad, for example, features not only the page print, but video clips to accompany it. The Wonderfactory, has helped create a unbelievable video demo of the Time offering, which can be seen here.
Another soon to be released e-reader, the Skiff, is about the size of a magazine and will properly host magazines and newspapers, though only in black and white at this point. It is however remarkably thin, completely shatter resistant, and flexible. Its resolution surpasses other e-readers, and pages turn instantly at the swipe of a finger. Content can be loaded quickly via the Sprint 3G network, WiFi or mini-port, and there are 4 gigs of memory built into the device. Its battery power will last for about a week’s worth of reading. The Skiff also offers a cool search feature, allowing readers to scan for specific terms throughout the gadget’s contents or in one specific article.
Finally, the Apple iPad was announced just yesterday and will begin shipping in March. With a 9.7 (diagonal) inch screen, specially-made Apple processor and the remarkable touch screen interface found on the iPhone, this e-reader will be hard to beat. Apple announced a third store as well (iTunes and the App store being 1 & 2) – the iBookstore. For more photos and specs, go here. Starting price $499.
Image courtesy of Apple
Recently, the technology sector saw two impressive product roll-outs – Bing, Microsoft’s new and thoughtfully improved search engine, and iPhone’s much-anticipated 3G S handset and OS 3.0 software update.
Bing, whose sole purpose is to surpass Google as the world’s best-loved searchlight, is more intuitive and in-depth than its arch rival, offering users pinpointed results rather than random, excessive Web copy. Bing, for example, has paid special attention to these tight economic times; when searching for flights, hotels and other products, the engine searches for deals and highlights items for which consumers can get money back with its Bing Cashback icon. If users want to see if a flight is on time, or what to expect from the morning commute, Bing can help with that, too.
The search engine also capitalizes on saving users time. Rather than taking Bingers away from the search page, a simple roll-over the text or video link will tell them whether they need to click. The site has received complimentary reviews from The Wall Street Journal, CNET, Paste magazine and TechCrunch by writers who are just as surprised by Microsoft’s newest offering as they are pleased. Check out the company’s user-friendly Bing tour to see the engine’s other features.
Although Apple’s iPhone is hardly a relic, the company’s new 3G S model secures its place as a leader in the world of cool, user-friendly handsets. The newest iteration maintains the popular look and feel of its recent predecessor, but is faster, has greater memory capacity, longer battery life and features several new bells and whistles – a built-in video recorder (with on-phone cropping and ability to post to YouTube), voice control, a digital compass and an improved 3 megapixel camera for still photography. The 3G S retails for $199 or $299, depending on its memory level (16 or 32 gigabytes).
Apple has also gone a step farther in securing its market share by including an updated software platform – OS 3.0 – for its iPhone 3G S and making it available to 3G users as well. The software upgrade enables a landscape keyboard option for typing, cut/copy/paste, phone-wide search functions, MMS, lost iPhone pinpointing, remote data clearing, and the ability to support turn-by-turn navigation with voice commands (utilizing 3rd party apps), erasing your need for a separate GPS device. Other new features can be found here.
