Am siting in a bookstore waiting for a brother to come and have taken my place near the magazine section. You can learn a lot about regions and areas by looking at the magazine section, and you can also see areas where tech is flat out not taken advantage of.
For example, why is it that all of these magazines have barcodes, but there’s nothing to them where a person with a barcode (or qr code) reader could scan them for checking out interactive, audio, or video content from the magazine.s website related to the issue.
Or, why isn’t there an option from the retailer to scan the barcode, and then use the wireless network that’s provided already, to download a electronic version of the magazine – or even get a full subscription.
I think about walking in here with my N800 or an iPad and instead of picking up a literal magazine, pulling a card with a code that would allow me to read a preview of the magazine – to which after reading a few selected pieces or reading for a particular time, would prompt me to purchase or recommend other magazines to preview.
And if I have an account with the bookstore, or with Amazon and the store is a retail partner, can I connect the location of their wireless hotspot with my mobile device so that anytime I come here, I’m not just automatically put on the network, but my widget-driven homescreen is automatically updated with a widget that shows cupouns, club benefits, and book/magazine recommendations.
And I like the print. Really, seeing graphic design is great. So why can’t I use an augmented reality web browser (like Layar) to take a magazine cover, and show me the other possible shots for them that were proposed. It would not just make me stay in the store longer, but I’d purchase a mag just to replicate that experience on my coffee table.
You see, books and magazines are static and that emotion needs to be kept with them. But, given the tech in our hands and pockets, there is a lot more we can and should to to ensure that the static experience remains a part of that retail, selling moment.
After all, I don’t want my library or bookstore to turn into a techie haven – keep some seperation. But, do use the tech and space to create a better attachment and overall a better chance to keep old tech just as relevant and engaging as the new.
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