The newest consumer buzz proposes 2010 as the year of the tablet. This piece from NYTimes writer Nick Bilton argues that if Apple delivers on a new product that content providers are more than ready to collaborate. Other digital detectives have discovered that Apple owns the domain iSlate. A blogger Cindy follows claims to have purchased several “slate” domain names.
I do hope that Apple comes out with a media tablet. I am not committed to online content as a replacement for books, but I think hybrid products are the next thing. The publishing field in which I have some experience has hedged on the paper-based / online connection. The present model has been to offer both – a stand alone book and online ancillaries. There is a reluctance to move some content out of the book and expand it online. I thinking hedging prevents full development presently and would expand rather than contract costs if done well. We need someone to take a chance and assume there is a market for a true hybrid.
