The User Interfaces of the Future: Where Will Content Land?

The options available to create and consume content are about to explode in fascinating new ways. Take a digital trip to MIT’s MediaLab or browse the research being conducted at the University of Washington around contact lenses with a virtual reality overlay and you can see real applications of seemingly farfetched user interfaces (UI) that are emerging right now. Yet, few if any publishers have their content ready for these exciting opportunities. This report explores a range of potential new interfaces and takes a closer look at the implications of those that are currently in play. It explores the notion that the biggest dilemma facing publishers is not what these UIs will eventually look like, but what needs to be done to make sure their content is ready for whatever UIs come their way. The report includes:

- A look at the evolution of content’s UI;
- Analysis of consumers’ time spent on different media types per year, 1995 vs. 2009, and current internet use;
- Predictions for the changing content landscape, and resulting implications;
- Outsell’s recommendations for publishers to be ready to take advantage of expected UI developments.