Seems like a bold statement, but bare with me a minute. Let’s face it, I’ve only had the iPad for three days, and I’m already predicting mass changes in media? I’m not an Apple junkie, I don’t drink the Steve Jobs cool-aid, AND I waited a week before I ran out and bought this new fangled device.
There have been LOTS of reviews and predictions made, but I wanted to add my voice to the chorus. First, there is no doubt about it - this IS a transformative device - it is a disruptive technology as they say. Why?
Well, I could say it’s because I am sitting on my deck, writing this blog post. At first, I tried using Dragon voice systems to dictate the post. It worked great, but for some reason, I like typing my posts.
OK, I switched over to EverNote because I thought I could type it as a note, sync it to my computer and then copy and paste it into the blog. Worked great, but wait! Doesn’t Wordpress have a new app for the iPad? Of course they do, so now I’m set. But did you just follow the process? LOOK at what is available already! I just sat out here, surfed the App Store and found what I needed. Then I tried it to see if it fit. Amazing…
So, the death of the 24-hour news channel? Where did I get THAT from? Well, have you seen USA Today? The Wall Street Journal? The New York Times? The applications they have written redefine the news-reading experience. Curl up in your favorite chair, put the iPad in your lap and get ready to immerse yourself in something that you won’t be able to put down.
That’s what has happened to me - I haven’t turned the cable news channels on all weekend! And, you know what? I haven’t missed the same stupid stories, played over and over again, for who knows what audience. I mean really, how many drivers can we watch try to evade the LA Police for two hours? And…can’t we pick our OWN news to read about or listen to? OK - you can get on the web, go to all the news sites for what you want. But…it is REALLY different on the iPad with the applications and their behavior; I can’t explain it with words.
I picked the stories I wanted to read, I didn’t surf, I didn’t search, but I flicked and tapped. I spent time looking at fantastic photographs and compelling video that filled the screen. I thought about the experience; what it means for media in general and what it means for us as photographers. And all that came to mind was OPPORTUNITY!
Who is going to crate all this media rich content? Who is going to produce those HTML 5 iAds that Jobs is so excited about? We are… And you must get one of these devices in order to see what the possibilities are!
Media, and newspapers in general, have needed something to kick-start their industry. I believe the time is now and the devices are here. So, for those who jump in first, it may feel like it’s the Wild Wild West, but the opportunity is there. For those who DO take the chance, they’ll be able to capture the high ground and be part of this renewal, this energy, this moment to revitalize their business.
For the rest of us? Well, let’s just say my wife doesn’t know I’m working, but thinks I’m just out here enjoying the spring weather. Let’s not spoil it for her. More work anyone?
