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Friday, August 6, 2010

Books E-Book Covers Don't Have to Be Static

Posted by Paul Constant on Fri, Aug 6, 2010 at 2:25 PM

This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, but it seems to be the first time that someone has produced a digital book cover that utilizes all the features of a tablet e-reader: The Hypothetical Library has produced three book covers that move, make noise, and set the tone for the book to come.

So why can’t these book covers move? Essentially a cover is an image and a title. But it could be a short film, or animation, abstract or narrative. It could have music or creepy noises. It could also be a portal with links to other information, like a publisher’s backlist, or more information about the subject. It could do anything you never would think a cover could do.

Here's Smilla's Sense of Snow:

Do I think this will get people into e-books? No. I don't even know if I'd want my books to have covers that move. But I think it's another sign that the possibilities for e-books are almost completely unexplored right now. Interesting things are coming.

Comments (6) RSS

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This reminds me of the moving pictures belonging to publications in the wizarding world of Harry Potter.

Posted by Dexter on August 6, 2010 at 2:41 PM

I think this is very cool... I might have cut one of the "accolades" (maybe the now a motion picture one) just to make the lead-in into the title a little shorter. But still, pretty neat.

Posted by Julie in Eugene on August 6, 2010 at 2:50 PM

Wow.

Maybe someday an "e-book" will be as dynamic as a web page, or a blog.

Perhaps they'll even have words that you can click on...called..."hyperlinks".

Call Jeff Bezos...there might be research money available!

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on August 6, 2010 at 3:21 PM

If I wanted it to move, I'd watch TV. This is the most horrible idea I've ever heard. Are you sure this isn't a Will in Seattle fantasy?

Posted by Fnarf

on August 6, 2010 at 3:45 PM

@ 1 - Yes! That was the first thing I thought of, too!

Some cool possibilities, indeed... I'm thinking of those visual dictionaries where stuff's all pictorially exploded so you can see how it works.. dinosaurs and airplanes and stuff.. If those parts could move, if you could move 'em around... hhmmm....

Posted by merry on August 6, 2010 at 3:51 PM