Meet Nelson, Coupland, and Alice — the faces of tomorrow’s book. Watch global design and innovation consultancy IDEO’s (@ideo) vision for the future of the book. It explores the new experiences that might be created by linking diverse discussions; the additional value that could be created by connecting readers to one another; and the innovative ways that might be used to tell favorite stories and build community around books. Watch the video.
In 2010 ereader prices fell close to $100 and 10.5 million people in the US own a dedicated ereader. New reading form factors were introduced. Tablets in about 10 million US hands right now – primarily the iPad. A third of the people who own an iPad own a Kindle. Nearly $1 billion was spent on ebooks in the US alone.
In 2011 20+ million people will read ebooks on a reader or tablet. $1.3 billion will be spent on ebooks at the bare minimum. They can’t even forecast the impact on non-traditional eformats.
Are publishers ready? Surveyed publishing execs to find out. 89% optimistic about digital transition; 74% say readers will be better off; 66% say people will read more; 83% say their companies can manage digital transition; 63% say have a digital plan in place; 80% believe their company needs significant retraining.
Michael Hyatt (@MichaelHyatt), Chairman & CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, believes we should expect to see the following in ebooks this coming year:
1. Bundled Books.
2. Social Reading.
3. eBook Clubs.
4. e-First Publishing.
5. Free eReaders.
6. Monetization Experiments.
Fast Company (@fastcompany) reports that “one out of every five Americans plans to own a tablet by 2014,” according to a Harris poll. Most want to use it to browse the Web, followed by accessing their email, reading, social networking, watching TV or movies, conducting business, and playing games. The “reading” category grabs Somersault’s attention: 53% predict they’re going to add devices like the iPad to their schedule of absorbing everyday content. Another reason for publishers to be serious about digitizing their material in innovative ways. Read the full report.
In this New York Times article, ereaders are predicted to soon be as flexible as today's print newspapers -- and as socially shared. Here's an excerpt:
Clive Thompson, a science and technology writer and columnist for Wired magazine, said that if “publishers are smart — and readers lucky” the content of the ebooks of the future will be more open and collaborative.
“You’ll be able to cut, paste and exchange your favorite passages, using them in the same promiscuous way we now use online text and video to argue, think, or express how we’re feeling,” Mr. Thompson said.
In other words, ebooks will become social experiences, with sharing among readers and even the ability to see the most popular passages as other readers highlight and comment in real time. “Ebooks will display their social and informational life,” Mr. Thompson said.
We wonder if print books will eventually take on the same charm currently reserved for antiques!