Files under General | Mar
12th
Daniel Terdimans writes about The New York Times’ digital future and includes this picture by Scott Beale / Laughing Squid.
The picture shows a member of The New York Times research and development lab looking at a CustomTimes machine, which is essentially a digital newspaper box that allows users to choose the precise Times content they want and print it.
Is this the future of newspaper distribution?
Yes and no.
Let’s see.
Yes, because all of us are looking for what we want to read from a news-version of Amazon.
And no, because you don’t need to go to the streets to select and print what you want to read.
You can do it right now from your computer and personal printer.
I remember many years ago a publisher who told me that his newspaper company will save and make money by giving away free computers and printers to their subscribers.
So, no, we are not going to get and pay for papers in machines like that. And no, we are not going to need machines like that at home, next to our water-cooling machine or at the golf club …
The future is now.
We will produce, edit, design, deliver, read, react and share the news via iPhone, or perhaps something bigger like Apple is right now exploring with a new interactive tablet.
Printing?
Today you can get printers for free.
They make money selling you the ink.
Imagine a world with digital wireless printers all around, supported by advertisers, where you can print your news anytime and anywhere.
Like you get money from an ATM today
.
Is this the solution to the problems of today’s journalism.
No.
The solution is better journalism.
Better content.
Smart.
Compelling.
Provocative.
And different.
Unique.
Technology is not a problem, it’s just part of the solution.
(Thanks to Claude Erbsen)
