Apple recently announced the launch of their next product: the iPad. It is a tablet style computer with a nearly 10 inch screen which lends itself easily to multimedia and web viewing. Apple's CEO and founder, Steve Jobs, wants to remain on the cutting edger of "it" entertainment technology. So what does this have to do with Comic Books you ask? According to senior Fortune writer Jon Fortt, quite a lot:
"When Jobs needed movies for iTunes, Apple (AAPL) got them from Disney. When he needed TV shows? Disney (which owns ABC) was among the first to sign up. Why all the Disney love? Remember, Steve Jobs was the CEO of Pixar, which had a very lucrative movie distribution deal with Disney. Things only got cozier in 2006, when Disney bought Pixar for $7.4 billion, turning Jobs into the Mouse House’s largest individual shareholder."
Here is where Disney's recent acquisition of Marvel comes into play. Digital comics have not taken off yet nor does a comic book look very good on a digital e-reader such as a Kindle.
"Until the iPad, that is. The iPad will be the first mainstream computing device with the interface, the power, the battery, and the gorgeous color screen to truly bring comic books to life. And Apple already knows how to do it – they did a test run with Tyrese Gibson’s Mayhem book, a project that I guessed back in September was a precursor to Apple’s e-book format. It wouldn't be too hard to bring new comics – and all sorts of old classic titles – into the digital realm in brilliant color. The iPad's screen was practically made for it." writes Fortt.
I, for one, would love to see this take off. The iPad and comics seem like a natural synergistic fit that lends itself to our "on the go" culture. Somehow, this just looks so natural and works far better than viewing on a regular computer or even a laptop.
The iPad will hit store shelves in late March.