Simon & Schuster introduces the "Vook" : read it and watch it

[toomanybooks]

It seems pretty clear to me what ebook readers want. We want well-edited and proofed DRM free ebooks. If S&S can't even do that why are they mucking up books with embedded video.

[Ea]

Might be nice for added information like showing how to do something in a non-fiction book. Personally, I tend to stay away from video and audio in web sites in general, I can't control the speed of the presentation and it's basically a really tough sell with me, I don't do well with auditory presentations at all, but I get the impression that a lot of people like it. All in all, this do seem like old wine in new bottles though. Wonder if they can shift it...

[JeremyZ]

Originally Posted by toomanybooks

It seems pretty clear to me what ebook readers want. We want well-edited and proofed DRM free ebooks. If S&S can't even do that why are they mucking up books with embedded video.

+1

Marketing gimmick to broaden their audience.

Personally, I like that the written book is the pure, original material. I don't want video invading that too. At least with a movie, I can choose not to watch it.

This is not for us. (well, except the real gadget hounds among us) This is for people who are too lazy to read. To me, reading text is MUCH more demanding than watching TV. I feel sleepy after a while because I'm getting tired, not because I'm bored or because my brain isn't challenged enough.

[Madam Broshkina]

Originally Posted by JeremyZ

+1

Marketing gimmick to broaden their audience.

Personally, I like that the written book is the pure, original material. I don't want video invading that too. At least with a movie, I can choose not to watch it.

This is not for us. (well, except the real gadget hounds among us) This is for people who are too lazy to read. To me, reading text is MUCH more demanding than watching TV. I feel sleepy after a while because I'm getting tired, not because I'm bored or because my brain isn't challenged enough.

First of all please do not claim to speak for all the members of MobileRead. You do not speak for me. Have you tried out the application? I doubt it because if you did you would have realized it is not just for people to lazy to read. I bought "Embassy" a fictional "Vook". First of all it is a real book, real words and everything. There is just short videos (that are quite well done) added to enhance the plot.

Here is an example:





Sure its a gimmick but I find it kind of interesting. I know it is not the hip thing to admit to but I am currently reading "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown. I think that it would be interesting to see short videos of the art and locations mentioned in the book. I bought the web version because I do not like reading on my iPhone but I think something like this would work quite nice on the mysterious Apple Tablet. Since I just started reading the "Vook" it is too soon for me to say that I would by another one. But I am not considering it $6.99 down the drain.

[Mitchll]

Originally Posted by Madam Broshkina

First of all please do not claim to speak for all the members of MobileRead. You do not speak for me. Have you tried out the application? I doubt it because if you did you would have realized it is not just for people to lazy to read. I bought "Embassy" a fictional "Vook". First of all it is a real book, real words and everything. There is just short videos (that are quite well done) added to enhance the plot.

Here is an example:





Sure its a gimmick but I find it kind of interesting. I know it is not the hip thing to admit to but I am currently reading "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown. I think that it would be interesting to see short videos of the art and locations mentioned in the book. I bought the web version because I do not like reading on my iPhone but I think something like this would work quite nice on the mysterious Apple Tablet. Since I just started reading the "Vook" it is too soon for me to say that I would by another one. But I am not considering it $6.99 down the drain.

I am with you. I downloaded it and have spent about 10 minutes with it. It is an interesting vehicle and holds promise as an entertaining method of story telling.

[opitzs]

There is nothing new under the sun:

for fiction there is "26" with the inclusion of weblinks for video interludes.
For non-fiction that would be Douglas Adams "Last Chance To See" for Windows 3.11 with the text, audiobook and pictures of the animals (I can't remeber if videos where in that...)

Ciao
Sven

[Lemurion]

Originally Posted by Ea

Might be nice for added information like showing how to do something in a non-fiction book. Personally, I tend to stay away from video and audio in web sites in general, I can't control the speed of the presentation and it's basically a really tough sell with me, I don't do well with auditory presentations at all, but I get the impression that a lot of people like it. All in all, this do seem like old wine in new bottles though. Wonder if they can shift it...

I'm with Ea, if a link I'm interested in leads to video rather than text I'll just close it and go elsewhere. Audio on websites got me to switch to headphones I don't wear. If I want information, video or audio is the last way I want to receive it.

I can see the value in illustrated examples in non-fiction books - but it doesn't work for fiction. Normally I just want to tear my hair out if I have to sit through five minutes of video to get maybe thirty seconds (if I'm very lucky) worth of information.

There's also the fact, and this is very important with SF and Fantasy (which I primarily read) that video cannot match the human imagination. Non-fiction doesn't have this problem, since it deals with reality rather than imagination.

[recycledelectron]

I've been wanting a new file format that would let me read an ebook, then switch mid-sentence to an audio book version, then switch back.

Unfortunately, all these guys do is write web pages. A "vook" is also called a page of HTML.

Andy

[Ocean]

Originally Posted by Madam Broshkina

First of all please do not claim to speak for all the members of MobileRead. You do not speak for me. Have you tried out the application? I doubt it because if you did you would have realized it is not just for people to lazy to read.
--
I am not considering it $6.99 down the drain.

.. +1 ..

[delphidb96]

It's $6.99 down the drain. A book is meant to be READ, not used to force-feed 'movin' pitchers' down the optic nerves of the idjit masses. 'Movin' pitchers' don't require NEAR the imagination that a good book does.

Derek

[ardeegee]

Could be popular for vorno...

[Ocean]

Originally Posted by delphidb96

A book is meant to be READ

I see text in the images above. How did you miss that?

Must be using a TEXT ONLY browser...

not used to force-feed 'movin' pitchers' down the optic nerves

Says here that You can just read, just watch, or read and watch simultaneously. http://shelf-life.ew.com/2009/10/01/...-how-you-read/

So...just what are they forcing down your optic nerves again?

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by Ocean

I see text in the images above. How did you miss that?

Must be using a TEXT ONLY browser...




Says here that You can just read, just watch, or read and watch simultaneously. http://shelf-life.ew.com/2009/10/01/...-how-you-read/

So...just what are they forcing down your optic nerves again?

Yes, they are!

And why in sam hell would I want to load up a NOVEL with a bunch of video and music junk that reins in my imagination and forces it to match the (dim)wit of the video producers? (Starship Troopers the book vs. Starship Troopers the movie is a perfect example of this.)

Derek

[delphidb96]

Originally Posted by Ocean

I see text in the images above. How did you miss that?

Must be using a TEXT ONLY browser...




Says here that You can just read, just watch, or read and watch simultaneously. http://shelf-life.ew.com/2009/10/01/...-how-you-read/

So...just what are they forcing down your optic nerves again?

P.S. Yes, I *see* the text *AND* the highly-distracting images. GAWD! There's a place for graphic novels, and even pitchers in novels, but to slurp up precious memory simply so that those with limited imagination can flip to extended clips of some director's butchery of the novel... Well, I guess I pity the idjits who need that.

Derek

[Ocean]

Originally Posted by delphidb96

P.S. Yes, I *see* the text *AND* the highly-distracting images. GAWD! There's a place for graphic novels, and even pitchers in novels, but to slurp up precious memory simply so that those with limited imagination can flip to extended clips of some director's butchery of the novel... Well, I guess I pity the idjits who need that.

Derek

...and you missed where it said you could turn the images off.