Want to get a peek at collective and collaborative content presentation of the near future? Check out the latest news from HP.
I always look at the early models of user generated and assembled content similar to this as a foundational first step. The next step will be the provision of design tools that make the periodic element organized into a magazine format actually look good. Then they will need to figure out the social sharing and perhaps even traditional subscription circulation elements of micro niche published content.
It’s a sign that continues to hint at content generation and consumption models coming soon. If you’re an advertiser, get out that same pen you’ve used to sign checks for industry niche blogs.
“By teaming with Wikia, HP is bringing some of the richest community content on the web to life in a glossy magazine format,” said Andrew Bolwell, director, New Business Initiatives, HP. “Thanks to HP’s MagCloud, Wikia’s passionate communities of readers will be able to enjoy information on their favorite bands, hobbies, comic books and more in a tangible print format that is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.”To publish a glossy, full-color magazine for friends, the coffee table or mass distribution, Wikia users select the content and cover page, and then order their request through MagCloud. For example, a Wikia user could create a custom magazine with original content found in wikis about Lady Gaga, vintage dress patterns and cooking.
If you have not yet reviewed Wikia and the power of community driven news you should take a peek. Think of news for Wikipedia but in a format where the editing tools are such that people can actually understand how to use.
And like a blog, we will likely see many industry leading icons with their own magazines in the not so far away future. These will morph into both consumer segments and touch on the massive photo and creative books space as well as become a marketing channel for business and industry professionals.
