Apple has recently released its new brain child, the i-Pod touch. Similar to its big brother the i-Phone, minus the phone, the i-Touch will connect to the internet (and surf at high-speed) through any wi-fi hot spot in the area, using Apple's Safari browser.
With the revolution of having access to the internet at all times, newspapers next step is to figure out out how to adapt to these new high-tech devices, according to Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger. "The world of newspapers will shudder on its axis and journalists will have a responsibility to have our editorial offering in a shape that will readily adapt to whatever comes along next."
For the last decade, newspapers have been scurrying around trying to find a way to keep print (and the newspaper itself) alive with todays instant accessibility to any and all news through the web. The New York Times has taken a step out into using new technology for its paper by coming to an agreement with Microsoft to use its on-screen reader to flip through the pages of the Times just like you would if you were holding it.
Perhaps with the i-Touch, newspaper's savior is here, if you can access the paper from the web, and the web is in your pocket, perhaps newspaper companies can find a way to adapt media with new technology rather than forcing technology to work with old media. If editors and journalists can find a way to adapt with the ever changing technology, the newspaper still may have a fighting chance.
The i-Pod moment has arrived for newspapers
I did a blog a couple weeks ago on how the NY Times allows you to get news via text message. With technology steadily growing the way that it is, it does not suprise me that the newspapers are worried. It really makes me wonder what it will be like when our generation has children. Will there be a newspaper at all? I think that the newspapers should use this to their advantage. It may take a way from the print, but people will still access it at their convience on the their cell phones.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kellyn. Newspapers may eventually be eliminated, but for all of those environmentalists out there, this could be a good thing. Think of all the trees that would be saved! But on a serious note, it should be fairly simple to get the newspapers on the phones. While I am no technology guru, it seems easier than forcing technology to take a step backwards to accomodate for older sources.
ReplyDeleteMy phone can access the NY Times and its about two years old. The issue that seems to be plaguing the newspaper companies, is the fact that their NEWSPAPER companies. They need to find away around strictly revolving around a paper medium as their primary source. High tech devices like the iTouch open the door to the first step in moving forward.
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