The rapid development of publication technology has led to a dramatic shift in the publishing industry with new digital features. The internet and online publishing have encouraged innovation with publication technology that enables new kinds of publishing techniques and access to target readers.
With an increasing number of people turning to the internet for news, entertainment, information, reading, and academic research, traditional publishing in the form of paperbacks and hardbacks has declined.
Read on to learn about some major publishing technology changes that are transforming the face of the publishing industry.
The Widespread Use of Digital Devices and Programs
The rapid and widespread use of devices like smartphones, laptops, tablets, and e-readers has encouraged and pushed publishers to keep up. It has also changed how the publishers and creators of content interact with readers, users, and customers.
The development of various kinds of applications and programs has enabled publishers to reach out to readers in more engaging and interactive ways.
The Rapid Growth of Digital Media and Ebooks
Since more people are turning to their devices and online platforms for news, entertainment, reading, and research, there has been rapid growth in digital media and ebooks.
With the growing digitization of publishing, publishers are using new technologies in digital content production and distribution.
The Development of New Interactive Features
Digital content and ebooks are becoming more interactive. Such innovative developments have led to the development of many features in publication technology.
These new technological features in ebooks and digital content include:
Search Function Within the eBook
This helps you easily find the specific content in the book that you are looking for instead of searching through multiple pages. You also don’t have to check the contents page or index page.
This feature is especially helpful for lengthy textbooks and academic books that you only refer to and have no reading cover.
External Links Within the eBook
These are links that take you outside the book to a video, an image, or a website that explains something discussed in the book.
This is especially helpful for textbooks and research, where complex concepts can be explained better with multimedia like video and audio.
Highlighting and Font Adjustment
Many ebooks allow you to adjust the font size for a better reading experience.
You can also highlight parts you want to return to and easily access the highlights, making it convenient for users.
Audio Features
Audiobooks are becoming increasingly popular. Even with text ebooks, text-to-speech is a feature that allows you to listen to digital text instead of reading it.
These functionalities make digital textual content and ebooks more engaging and accessible and expand the reach of publishing.
For instance, it allows publishers to reach elderly readers as well as readers who face reading or language difficulties or issues with their vision.
Platforms like Kitaboo offers multimedia and interactive features like video, audio, images, widgets, and read-aloud.
Easy to Update
Ebooks and digitally published content can easily be updated compared to paper publishing. Additionally, it is often distributed through a cloud-based platform, which can easily and securely be updated.
When an author or publisher updates information, readers and the audience can access it in the most recent form of the material. In today’s fast-paced world, published material can quickly become outdated.
With the help of digital publishing technology, information can stay up-to-date, current, and relevant. This is especially helpful for educational, informative, and academic content.
This helps students, researchers, and interested readers avoid relying on outdated information. It also helps authors and publishers because they can update information efficiently without worrying about reprinting (and the time and cost involved).
Cost Effective and Timely Distribution
With publication technology, digital material can be downloaded online instead of traditional modes of physical delivery and distribution. Such a feature makes delivery cost-effective, accessible, and timely.
It is especially useful in the case of textbooks or research material that is required on a timely basis. It saves on the cost of delivery and distribution and thereby increases profit margins for publishers and authors.
What’s more, it can be delivered to a large number of people, which is helpful for course-related material.
Online Reading and Databases
As an increasing number of users do their reading online, there is a growth of online platforms where users can access articles, information, and books in a particular field or niche.
These can be platforms dedicated to certain subjects or certain kinds of material like medical research, where multiple publishers can present their content for access.
It could also be a platform that a single publisher uses to distribute digital content.
Online Publishing Communities
Online publishing communities have grown, which comprise users with a shared interest, such as an academic field or a particular niche of content.
Publishers are increasingly seeking to access or develop online communities.
The growth of digital technology has also enabled interactions between different readers relating to published material. It includes sharing notes, references, highlights, and reading suggestions.
Distribution and Access to Target Audience
These digital web technologies and communities help publishers to find their target readers and users more easily.
It also enables them to distribute published content in a more targeted manner.
For instance, if a particular platform invites publications in one specific subject area, publishers can seek to get their work distributed through that platform.
To Wrap Up
The surge in publication technology has impacted the publishing industry and how publishers approach distribution. It has also led to new formats of content that go beyond just text.
As digital content tools continue to develop and readers increasingly turn to devices instead of paper books, the publishing industry will continue to adjust.
If you are looking for a great publishing platform, check out Kitaboo. It offers multiple digital features that can be incorporated into ebooks and other content. It also ensures the secure, cloud-based distribution of your digital content.
It helps you design and deliver content compatible with various devices and connect with your target audience through their favorite devices.
Contact our expert team now and get started!
To know more, please write to us at KITABOO@hurix.com
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Kitaboo is a cloud-based content platform to create-publish & securely distribute interactive mobile-ready ebooks.
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