Good old-fashioned reading is on the rise thanks to the booming popularity of e-readers. In 2007, a study by the National Endowment for the Arts found that half of 18-24-year-old Americans read no books for pleasure. The e-book era may be changing that. A Sony-commissioned survey conducted in May found that 40 percent of e-reader owners report reading more than they did with print books. Amazon says its customers buy roughly three times as many books after getting a Kindle.
And finally, smartphone apps have re-popularized classic games and toys. The much-anticipated Scrabble iPad app hit the market this fall after the wide adoption of Newtoy’s Scrabble knockoff, Words With Friends. Electronic Arts has turned the classic Lite Brite into a digital experience.
Simeon Spearman on 20 Jul 10So how do publishers react to the rise of ebooks and (even further) commoditization of the book as a medium? Ultra high-end.
Greg Steen on 20 Jul 10Not the same at all, but reminds me of these high-concept books/art: http://bit.ly/bjcZYp
Emily Knab on 20 Jul 10daily 7.20