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Greetings forumites. I’m currently again doing market research for my Uni course. Perhaps you could all be dears and fill out my questionnaire after reading the following few paragraphs. Your help is much appreciated. Cheers!!
Generic Magazine
The idea is simple; to have a robustly built two-page magazine spread that uses future technology to simulate the experience of actually reading your chosen rag. Rather than containing lots of individual pages, there are only two interior sides. In a similar way to the latest PCs and TVs, this uses a synergy of plasma screen and touch-screen technology to recreate the magazine virtually. By pressing the appropriate section of the screen, you can turn the virtual pages, so the image would change into the required form.
Naturally, there are countless benefits. The GM negates the need for busy folks to have to trundle into their newsagent in order to pick up the latest editions of their selected journals. And such a device is infinitely more portable and user-friendly than its nearest market equivalent, the laptop.
The way the GM would work is by allowing users to purchase the required title via a wireless Internet connection. They could choose from a comprehensive list, and then have access to that title immediately, without any hassle, the purchase charge being taken automatically out of their bank account. Once purchased, that magazine or newspaper would stay within the considerable memory of the GM data banks, free to be accessed again in the future, unless deleted.
The main selling point is the fact that due its technology, it can support reader interaction. So rather than a paper based model showing us still-images of a movie or important event, by just pressing the relevant bit of the screen, the GM can display streaming media. Rather than be told through text how good a movie or game is, watch a video clip of it. Rather than just tell us how good the latest pop singles are, you can listen to them real time. To a limited extent, you could theoretically also participate in small interactive games on the screen.
I must emphasise that this is not intended to be one of those recent multi-function pieces of gadgetry that allows you to access internet, send emails, phone people, manage your finances, as well as boil your eggs and trim your hair for you. This is strictly a single-use product aimed at a specific niche, and as such would be affordable to most interested consumers, not just the elite few who won the lottery last Thursday.
The GM would be made of a flexible and extremely robust material, so it could last for quite a while, unlike the flimsiness of paper-based publications. It would also be waterproof, so you could read it in the rain. Good fortune for the beggars sleeping on park benches covered in discarded GMs.
Anyway, that’s the concept, but I would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to fill out the following questions. Many thanks everyone!!
1. Do you know of any existing technology that can be compared to the GM?
2. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers?
3. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers on the move?
4. Would you consider buying the GM or a very similar product?
5. Do you think there is market potential for such a device?
6. Do you have any major objections to the concept?
7. Do you have any suggestions for improvement?
Thanks again for your help!!
Generic Magazine
The idea is simple; to have a robustly built two-page magazine spread that uses future technology to simulate the experience of actually reading your chosen rag. Rather than containing lots of individual pages, there are only two interior sides. In a similar way to the latest PCs and TVs, this uses a synergy of plasma screen and touch-screen technology to recreate the magazine virtually. By pressing the appropriate section of the screen, you can turn the virtual pages, so the image would change into the required form.
Naturally, there are countless benefits. The GM negates the need for busy folks to have to trundle into their newsagent in order to pick up the latest editions of their selected journals. And such a device is infinitely more portable and user-friendly than its nearest market equivalent, the laptop.
The way the GM would work is by allowing users to purchase the required title via a wireless Internet connection. They could choose from a comprehensive list, and then have access to that title immediately, without any hassle, the purchase charge being taken automatically out of their bank account. Once purchased, that magazine or newspaper would stay within the considerable memory of the GM data banks, free to be accessed again in the future, unless deleted.
The main selling point is the fact that due its technology, it can support reader interaction. So rather than a paper based model showing us still-images of a movie or important event, by just pressing the relevant bit of the screen, the GM can display streaming media. Rather than be told through text how good a movie or game is, watch a video clip of it. Rather than just tell us how good the latest pop singles are, you can listen to them real time. To a limited extent, you could theoretically also participate in small interactive games on the screen.
I must emphasise that this is not intended to be one of those recent multi-function pieces of gadgetry that allows you to access internet, send emails, phone people, manage your finances, as well as boil your eggs and trim your hair for you. This is strictly a single-use product aimed at a specific niche, and as such would be affordable to most interested consumers, not just the elite few who won the lottery last Thursday.
The GM would be made of a flexible and extremely robust material, so it could last for quite a while, unlike the flimsiness of paper-based publications. It would also be waterproof, so you could read it in the rain. Good fortune for the beggars sleeping on park benches covered in discarded GMs.
Anyway, that’s the concept, but I would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to fill out the following questions. Many thanks everyone!!
1. Do you know of any existing technology that can be compared to the GM?
2. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers?
3. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers on the move?
4. Would you consider buying the GM or a very similar product?
5. Do you think there is market potential for such a device?
6. Do you have any major objections to the concept?
7. Do you have any suggestions for improvement?
Thanks again for your help!!
Page:
1. Do you know of any existing technology that can be compared to the
GM?
- No, unless those electronic books count, but nothing magazine/newspaper-like
2. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers?
Very - Guardia/Telegraph/Independant newspapers, I used to read a lot of games magazines, before I realised the internet was far cheaper!
3. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers on the move?
Usually I'm 'on the move' (i.e train/car) when I buy magazines. Newspapers are new in the house most days.
4. Would you consider buying the GM or a very similar product?
Only if the magazines significantly got larger. Newspapers, then yes, obviously depending on cost.
5. Do you think there is market potential for such a device?
Certainly - I can imagine many people in the city with one -size therefore is an issue, obviously.
6. Do you have any major objections to the concept?
Theft of the GM would be lame. And those poor tramps with no pillows once paper is stopped. But the trees'd be happier!
7. Do you have any suggestions for improvement?
Make magazines cheaper - cost & size obviously vital considerations, size in particular.
GM?
- No, unless those electronic books count, but nothing magazine/newspaper-like
2. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers?
Very - Guardia/Telegraph/Independant newspapers, I used to read a lot of games magazines, before I realised the internet was far cheaper!
3. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers on the move?
Usually I'm 'on the move' (i.e train/car) when I buy magazines. Newspapers are new in the house most days.
4. Would you consider buying the GM or a very similar product?
Only if the magazines significantly got larger. Newspapers, then yes, obviously depending on cost.
5. Do you think there is market potential for such a device?
Certainly - I can imagine many people in the city with one -size therefore is an issue, obviously.
6. Do you have any major objections to the concept?
Theft of the GM would be lame. And those poor tramps with no pillows once paper is stopped. But the trees'd be happier!
7. Do you have any suggestions for improvement?
Make magazines cheaper - cost & size obviously vital considerations, size in particular.
Only if I get entered in a draw to win £50 or a batch of music albums.
Icaruss wrote:
> Jeez, I hope I don't have to setup a questionnaire and annoy people
> later on in my uni course. The number of questionnaires I get asked
> to fill in, by the net or paper, gets annoying after you've done a
> few. And it's not like they're going to return the favour, having
> graduated and left you to feed off the young yourself.
>
> Gah
Not all courses do. But if you wanna really impress your tutors then getting a public opinion always helps.
I don't tend to fill in questionnaires for random businesses, but here on the forums we're all one big happy family, helping each other. :)
Plus, I personally thank you for filling in my questionnaire. There, better?
> Jeez, I hope I don't have to setup a questionnaire and annoy people
> later on in my uni course. The number of questionnaires I get asked
> to fill in, by the net or paper, gets annoying after you've done a
> few. And it's not like they're going to return the favour, having
> graduated and left you to feed off the young yourself.
>
> Gah
Not all courses do. But if you wanna really impress your tutors then getting a public opinion always helps.
I don't tend to fill in questionnaires for random businesses, but here on the forums we're all one big happy family, helping each other. :)
Plus, I personally thank you for filling in my questionnaire. There, better?
Nonetheless, I shall complete the 16th questionnaire this year:
>
> 1. Do you know of any existing technology that can be compared to the
> GM?
Tablet PC I suppose; I use it for browsing the news and playing table tennis when the lectures get dull.
>
> 2. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers?
Once a month for magazines, 3-5 times a week for papers.
>
> 3. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers on the move?
> 3-5 times, I pick up the paper from the bus and read it there.
> 4. Would you consider buying the GM or a very similar product?
Yes, very much so.
>
> 5. Do you think there is market potential for such a device?
Yes, a lot.
>
> 6. Do you have any major objections to the concept?
> OLED technology needs to be more stable; apparently they have a shorter life than normal LED screens, but it should get better.
> 7. Do you have any suggestions for improvement?
> Near the back of some magazines there are sometimes ads for callgirls; using this technology, a taster video should be played with two lesbians getting it on.
>
> Thanks again for your help!!
Yeah, now where have I heard that before?
>
> 1. Do you know of any existing technology that can be compared to the
> GM?
Tablet PC I suppose; I use it for browsing the news and playing table tennis when the lectures get dull.
>
> 2. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers?
Once a month for magazines, 3-5 times a week for papers.
>
> 3. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers on the move?
> 3-5 times, I pick up the paper from the bus and read it there.
> 4. Would you consider buying the GM or a very similar product?
Yes, very much so.
>
> 5. Do you think there is market potential for such a device?
Yes, a lot.
>
> 6. Do you have any major objections to the concept?
> OLED technology needs to be more stable; apparently they have a shorter life than normal LED screens, but it should get better.
> 7. Do you have any suggestions for improvement?
> Near the back of some magazines there are sometimes ads for callgirls; using this technology, a taster video should be played with two lesbians getting it on.
>
> Thanks again for your help!!
Yeah, now where have I heard that before?
Jeez, I hope I don't have to setup a questionnaire and annoy people later on in my uni course. The number of questionnaires I get asked to fill in, by the net or paper, gets annoying after you've done a few. And it's not like they're going to return the favour, having graduated and left you to feed off the young yourself.
Gah
Gah
Good going people!! Can we squeeze in just a few more?? :)
Little Hobbo wrote:
> This is strictly a single-use
> product aimed at a specific niche, and as such would be affordable to
> most interested consumers, not just the elite few who won the lottery
> last Thursday.
They do the lottery on a thursday now? :P
> 1. Do you know of any existing technology that can be compared to the
> GM?
PDAs are similar, only multi-purpose and cost more i guess.
> 2. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers?
Not too often.
> 3. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers on the move?
Less often.
> 4. Would you consider buying the GM or a very similar product?
Depending on the cost, yes.
> 5. Do you think there is market potential for such a device?
If it caught on, then yes, it could do very well.
> 6. Do you have any major objections to the concept?
If you can't view you favourite porn mag, then no.
> 7. Do you have any suggestions for improvement?
See above.
> Thanks again for your help!!
No problem.
> This is strictly a single-use
> product aimed at a specific niche, and as such would be affordable to
> most interested consumers, not just the elite few who won the lottery
> last Thursday.
They do the lottery on a thursday now? :P
> 1. Do you know of any existing technology that can be compared to the
> GM?
PDAs are similar, only multi-purpose and cost more i guess.
> 2. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers?
Not too often.
> 3. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers on the move?
Less often.
> 4. Would you consider buying the GM or a very similar product?
Depending on the cost, yes.
> 5. Do you think there is market potential for such a device?
If it caught on, then yes, it could do very well.
> 6. Do you have any major objections to the concept?
If you can't view you favourite porn mag, then no.
> 7. Do you have any suggestions for improvement?
See above.
> Thanks again for your help!!
No problem.
> 1. Do you know of any existing technology that can be compared to the
> GM?
Not that I can think of.
>
> 2. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers?
Very frequently. I read a paper most days, normally the FT, and have numerous magazine subscriptions.
>
> 3. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers on the move?
Whilst actually moving? Very rarely, it is rather difficult to walk and read. You mean out the house? Um every so often.
>
> 4. Would you consider buying the GM or a very similar product?
Yes. Definitely would if it was priced right.
>
> 5. Do you think there is market potential for such a device?
Yes, but I don't know how big a market that would be. Price would be the decider.
>
> 6. Do you have any major objections to the concept?
None at all.
>
> 7. Do you have any suggestions for improvement?
It would have to be compatible with various printed formats. I.e. broadsheets, tabloids and various sizes of magazine.
Also, it would have to be made out of a bendable material. I believe Phillips demonstrated a foldable TFT that was exceptionally thin. Something like that would be needed for it to catch on.
> GM?
Not that I can think of.
>
> 2. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers?
Very frequently. I read a paper most days, normally the FT, and have numerous magazine subscriptions.
>
> 3. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers on the move?
Whilst actually moving? Very rarely, it is rather difficult to walk and read. You mean out the house? Um every so often.
>
> 4. Would you consider buying the GM or a very similar product?
Yes. Definitely would if it was priced right.
>
> 5. Do you think there is market potential for such a device?
Yes, but I don't know how big a market that would be. Price would be the decider.
>
> 6. Do you have any major objections to the concept?
None at all.
>
> 7. Do you have any suggestions for improvement?
It would have to be compatible with various printed formats. I.e. broadsheets, tabloids and various sizes of magazine.
Also, it would have to be made out of a bendable material. I believe Phillips demonstrated a foldable TFT that was exceptionally thin. Something like that would be needed for it to catch on.
POP
1. Do you know of any existing technology that can be compared to the GM?
The concept does sound similar to a palm-top or interactive tablet device.
2. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers?
I read a newspaper every day, and buy about 3 or 4 magazines a month.
3. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers on the move?
Not very often.
4. Would you consider buying the GM or a very similar product?
I think it sounds like a great idea. I already own a portable tablet dvd player which is funky, and this idea does sound interesting, so if the price was right and I could get every magazine I currently buy, I would consider buying one, as it could eliminate the clutter of having loads of mags.
5. Do you think there is market potential for such a device?
I think there is, but it would all hang on the price and the quality of the product. The idea of getting an interactive magazine sounds cool, although it does sound just like the internet.
It would also make buying top shelf mags a lot less embarrassing ;D
6. Do you have any major objections to the concept?
Nope.
7. Do you have any suggestions for improvement?
A device of this kind can't be too bulky, and the screens can't be too fragile either. An a barrage of pop-ups from every magazine wouldn't be very groovy.
The concept does sound similar to a palm-top or interactive tablet device.
2. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers?
I read a newspaper every day, and buy about 3 or 4 magazines a month.
3. How frequently do you read magazines/newspapers on the move?
Not very often.
4. Would you consider buying the GM or a very similar product?
I think it sounds like a great idea. I already own a portable tablet dvd player which is funky, and this idea does sound interesting, so if the price was right and I could get every magazine I currently buy, I would consider buying one, as it could eliminate the clutter of having loads of mags.
5. Do you think there is market potential for such a device?
I think there is, but it would all hang on the price and the quality of the product. The idea of getting an interactive magazine sounds cool, although it does sound just like the internet.
It would also make buying top shelf mags a lot less embarrassing ;D
6. Do you have any major objections to the concept?
Nope.
7. Do you have any suggestions for improvement?
A device of this kind can't be too bulky, and the screens can't be too fragile either. An a barrage of pop-ups from every magazine wouldn't be very groovy.
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