WIRED on iPad

Summaries:

As more and more printed avenues are appearing within the textual realm, their formats are more so resembling what they're accustomed to (columns, certain fonts) rather than what is necessary for optimum functioning as an iPad app. "If executed carefully, text on an iPad is a miracle picture book or photo frame - but designing long text passages for good readability is still a tough matter."

Since the iPad's resolution is higher than a regular LCD but lower than an iPhone, these companies such as Wired, need to stray away from utilizing InDesign - a print layout tool, and start creating with the iPad in mind. Reichenstein provides a plethora of "tips" such as ditch the dense multi-column layout, be weary of mixing fonts that might not transfer well, don't waste your limited space on useless ornamental graphics, etc., all of which he claims are a result of using InDesign, which is ultimately optimized for paper and not apps.

Reichenstein makes the claim that Steve Jobs was right. We shouldn't be using tools such as InDesign to create apps, thinking this is "the future of journalism." Original tools should be used in order to create iPad apps, taking into account Reichenstein claims and problems with the current format, and allowing the designers to get a better grip on the purpose, potential, and limits of their technology.

Comment: Seeing as I have had limited experience with reading on an iPad, this article was rather informative for me. That being said, although I hadn't viewed what Reichenstein was talking about, I could definitely agree with what was being said, regarding column formats and text size, etc. I feel like as print has transitioned and adapted into the digital realm, they haven't really found a new and innovative way to present themselves, and therefore are dishing out what they know, via columns and page turning. I also think one of the factors may be the readers, considering much like the kindle/book debate, some people like the visual aesthetic of the print format, just in a portable digital space. I would like to see new app technology that allows such avenues to be altered and bettered, but I think it will be an adjustment for both text producer and reader.

Question: Towards the end of the article, Reichenstein makes the claim that the future of journalism is definitely not a stack of banners spiced with videos, exported from a paper layout program, although we may think that the "future of journalism" is now. Do you think we'll be able to just completely let go of nostalgia and such journalistic formats that we've come to know for so long (columns, page turning) in exchange for a completely new format? What is the future of journalism in that sense? How do you think this new influx of design will be viewed?