Mag+ digital magazine concept makes e-readers cower with envy (video!)

As the decade comes to a close, we're seeing a bevy of real and mythical devices bent on saving main stream media through the execution of a variety of proposed content partnerships. Unfortunately, it's still hard to imagine how all this will play out in reality. That's where slickly produced concepts can be of benefit. Like this one from the R&D wing of Bonnier, the publisher of Popular Science magazine among others. While the concept still treats electronic magazines as periodic issues, the interaction is entirely new and immersive compared to their printed forms. Interestingly enough, our future is ad free if the video (and not Google) is to be believed. Compelling stuff and a possible glimpse at our not too distant future.

Mag+ digital magazine concept makes e-readers cower with envy

Mag+ from Bonnier on Vimeo.

[design1stcode2nd Posted Dec 17th 2009 11:37AM]

I don’t see the reader as a piece of hardware but as a piece of software or an app. If I’m at home and want to do the following:

Read a Magazine
Browse my RSS feeds
Read or write an email
Check a calendar
View a webpage

I don’t want to have a laptop as they can be a bit uncomfortable and my iphone while it does most of this is on a small screen (great for mobility but not so much when I’m in my recliner). I like the user experience shown in this concept but it just needs to be an app on a multitouch tablet along with everything else you’d find on an smartphone (minus the phone) add in a Kindle app and you can consume most any type of media in a very user friendly way and form.

[myislanduniverse Posted Jan 1st 2010 5:52PM]

@design1stcode2nd : I'm with you, there. I would like to see this, or a similar, UI offered platform-independently as a front-end for some sort of virtual newsstand. I'd pay $1-2 for the latest issue of one of my favorite magazines, no problem. Wondering if HTML5 could help make something like that possible. Could save an ailing print industry.

[Amnak Posted Dec 17th 2009 11:38AM]

I would hope it works the way it does in the video, but it probably wont as this is only a concept vid.

[ChaoZ Posted Dec 17th 2009 12:52PM]

The UI design is very attractive, but in order to pull this off within the next 2-3 years, you'll need a traditional LCD/LED screen, which will still cause eyestrain from prolonged reading.

Something else that wasn't mentioned was the backend systems driving such a digital magazine. Artists and designer, as a general rule, don't like their "vision" tampered with. Many still have problems wrapping their heads around non-static design.

[EricS Posted Dec 17th 2009 2:22PM]

@ChaoZ I know that eye strain is a popular argument but I, like many other people, stare at a monitor for 7 - 10 hours a day. I would probably only look at a device like this for 2 - 3 hours max a few days a week.

It's easy for people to say that they would never read a book on a monitor, but between catching up on news, interests, and email many people probably read at least the equivalent to a book on their monitor each week.

[Chavez Posted Dec 17th 2009 2:30PM]

Whenever I see these videos, I keep thinking that this is going to make it a pain for writers who will have to spend a lot more time editing the look of their article than they do now.

As for the device, if they could combine this kind of software into a dedicated ebook reader, they may have a very potent device on their hands. Of course, that would require a color touchscreen e-ink display which is still several years away.

They could go with a typical LCD/LED screen like ChaoZ mentioned, but I think that would really kill the battery life considering the size of the screen. Maybe they could make it sufficient if they used an AMOLED display?

[MikeJett Posted Dec 17th 2009 4:17PM]

@Chavez

No offense intended, but writers write. Designers are responsible for the look and feel of a publication. Being a graphic designer myself all of this new technology is getting me way too hot and bothered. I personally can't wait to get my hands on one of these slate devices so I can apply my trade to it. It's going to save the print industry by moving it to the digital realm while still keeping some of the nuances of the medium.

I do believe that when such a device is released though it will not be a one purpose device but rather usable for a wide variety of media (Audio, Video, Games, eBooks, Publications) ... it would just be silly not to, in a world where converged devices are taking over many people don't want another device that only does one thing. I also think this will kill the netbook if it has a web browser to boot.

As for the screen technology, OLED will be the key I think, it's the only thing out there that can give you portability, color depth and durability as well as keeping things a little green in the process. (I could be wrong about that last point, I'm not an expert.)

My question is, what software will be used to produce these publications? I've read some stuff about Adobe working with publishers and manufacturers to develop software to do so, but no official word yet. My guess is it'll be a combination of Flash, Dreamweaver and InDesign using the AIR platform while maintaining the compatibility with the rest of the Creative Suite.

So here's to waiting for 2010 and what technological wonders it may bring.

[murc Posted Dec 17th 2009 11:33PM]

wow...I'd buy that today if it was available!

[Johnius Posted Jan 15th 2010 10:34AM]

try creating your digital magazine online, with NO MONEY at http://www.joomag.com/