Is the title of a round-up article in Exact Editions. They cover the Adobe Wired demo, the Berg and Bonnier demo, the iPad demo, the Sports Illustrated demo, and one by De Telegraff.
The author makes a very interesting point about all these demos:
The second conclusion that I draw is that the designers and technologists who work for these media companies are thinking too much about how the revolution will change their ‘product’ (Scott Dadich, Creative Director of Wired focuses on the fact that the “technology will enable us to view and consume media in an entirely different way”). Maybe. But another way of looking at this revolution is this: the revolution will enable us to read and consume print media in much the same way, but to use books and magazines in a new way. It is really quite dangerous to tell designers that the iPad gives them a completely fresh opportunity to re-think what the magazine/the book is. The designers who want to take advantage of the revolution should not be trying to redesign the product, they should be thinking about how we can use the product in a completely fresh way. Think not about the book or the magazine in isolation, but about the network in which it will be digitally embedded. That is what will make it different and very useful.
The Exact Editions FAQ demonstrates why publishers and retailers must have the freedom to deliver electronic periodicals to consumers independently of app stores, subscription vendors, cellphone companies and ISPs.
“Unless you renew your subscription you will not have access to the book, magazine or its back issues.”
“Can I send an article to a friend? No, not unless they are also a subscriber to the digital edition.”
And my favorite:
“Can I buy single issues?” This critical question is asked, but (as of this writing) answered nowhere in the company’s FAQ.