Moving Still Media

Wired magazine has revealed a glimpse of what it sees as its future in a digital world — a tablet-based format with a rich, immersive experience combining web interactivity with print-caliber design and a whole new sense of freedom.

They seem to be adding a few new ideas to similar prototypes we’ve seen from Sports Illustrated, GQ, and others. I still think they are limiting their thinking too much to previous media formats, but it’s a start. And even at the outset motion content will not only be a featured component, but I would argue the value add of this format over all previous incarnations — including over browser-based websites where video has been lacking a true design integration. Not so anymore here.

I also believe this will usher in the large scale use of a new form of motion content — “Moving Stills”, with the feel and mood of still photography set to motion.

Wired will be one of the Condé Nast titles to be available early on the iPad. As announced by the company: “Condé Nast plans to have some magazines tablet-ready when the iPad ships — at least a version of the GQ iPhone app, but at best full iPad versions of multiple magazines. …declined to specify what magazines would first make the jump, but said that Vanity Fair, Wired and GQ are likely candidates.”

Get a glimpse in the video…