Content too dynamic to go native? Hybrid Apps might be the answer …

Posted on by Eoin Dunne
Things move quickly in the world of mobile content delivery. Less than a year ago it seemed that publishers faced two routes when it came to developing resources for users to access digitally through their PC, Mac, iPad or Android device: either they chose to go down the mobile-optimised website route (web apps) or they could develop an app (native apps). We outlined the pros and cons of these two approaches in one of our most popular blog pieces of 2010, Publisher choices for mobile delivery – apps vs websites. However, since then a third choice has emerged – and one that looks set to be the future for apps. Continue reading →

Fame in print …

Posted on by Megan Toogood
cover of logos 21, journal of the world publishing communityA report from the first Semantico Online Publishing Symposium can now be found in Logos, the journal of the world publishing community. If issue 21 has just hit your desk look out for Issues in Mobile and Cross-platform Content Delivery by John Helmer. We’re pleased the event generated some great discussion and we’ll be holding more dinners, accompanied by wine. Write-ups will follow here on the blog.

Reading in the 21st Century part 2: keep taking the tablets

Posted on by John Helmer
Ancient Urartian Tablet

Ancient Urartian Tablet

It’s over a year since Apple launched the iPad, since when sales of the device have outstripped analysts predictions by a factor of five. Tablet device shipments as a whole are now predicted to experience 66.5% annual growth until 2014 (source: Onswipe via Mashable). For many publishers, this latest addition to the burgeoning family of web-enabled devices upon which their publications can be read will have added yet another aspect to an already multi-faceted problem. But are the problems presented by this jostling of new devices and form factors completely new? Once again, the Discovery blog delves fearlessly into the historical record to provide fresh perspectives on the challenges of today. Continue reading →

Reading in the 21st Century: implications for publishers of the revolution in mobile content delivery

Posted on by John Helmer
Preparing a talk to be delivered at Online Information last year (a talk that never actually took place due to the strong antipathy that exists in this country between railways and snow) led me to reflect on what reading actually is. Is this what first flashes into your mind when you hear someone use the verb ‘to read’ – someone alone and at rest, completely absorbed in the text? Well maybe it does if, like me, you’re an English graduate. When you come to look at it more objectively, however, you notice that reading covers a huge spectrum of activities, only some of which involve quite this level of immersion and ‘dwell time’. Continue reading →

Mobile Delivery Options: An Overview, from TOC Frankfurt

Posted on by Megan Toogood
Semantico’s MD Richard Padley recently gave a presentation at the second Tools Of Change Frankfurt. This one-day conference brings together innovative people, companies and organisations from the fields of publishing and technology to discuss compelling new business models and the strategic objectives of an ever-changing industry. Richard contributed an introduction to one of the hottest topics of the Frankfurt Book Fair, mobile delivery (abstract here).  If you couldn’t be in the room but would like to know more you can watch Richard’s presentation now … Continue reading →