August 2010 Archives

The Time for Apps is Right Now

iphone ipad glee app image I can’t help but notice the explosion of apps on mobile devices, namely, the iPad (affiliate link). If you bother to take a close look, you’ll be blown away by the level of engagement.

We’re not just talking about reading text with pictures, or even watching videos, or tweeting, or Facebook liking— but combining all these activities into ethereal experiences supported by intelligent content and handsome design.

Take, for example, the Glee app. Glee is a hugely popular drama tv show that blends teenage hormones with raw vocal talent. I turned over the app to my daughter, and within 5 minutes she had recorded herself singing one of the episode’s covers (Poker Face, complete with harmonies and instrumental), which was then uploaded and broadcasted worldwide to other Glee app users. [Read more...]

Why Publishers Must Be Nimble

If you’re a serious web publisher of any kind I recommend you immediately read “Nimble: a Razorfish report on publishing in the digital age” by Rachel Lovinger. It’s an excellent, transformative and highly creative treatise on the future of digital publishing.

The bottom line on Nimble is this: make your content available anywhere and everywhere at all times.

In other words, now that we’re beyond the space constraints of newspaper and magazine columns—and even the garden-variety website—we need to design our content to be mobile and social across all platforms—even ones that aren’t yet invented. [Read more...]