The surging popularity of untethered devices like the iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, Kindle and Sony Reader will help breathe new life into the publishing and information industries, but which revenue models will take hold will depend on the device, according to a new report from Outsell (http://www.outsellinc.com), a research and advisory firm focused on advancing the publishing and information industries.
“These mobile devices give publishers a chance to redefine user experiences with their content and to reset the rules for monetizing it as well, but current uncertainty as to how it will evolve means it’s time for experimentation,” saysNed May, director and lead analyst, Outsell. “That means content providers will also need patience as the landscape unfolds.”
Outsell’s “Device Wars” report is based on a February 2010 survey of more than 800 consumers on their use of smartphones, tablets, and e-readers, as well as interviews with executives across publishers and device manufacturers. Among Outsell’s projections:
° The adoption of smartphones will remain an order of magnitude ahead of tablets and e-readers.
° Current e-reader adoption will slow in favor of “cooler” devices, but there is still a loyal niche market that offers room for growth.
