Comments for

Books + Online Video = Vooks: Watchable, Readable, & Very Cool

2009-11-13T01:00:00Z

Vook is a new company that's come up with a method for blending text and premium video to create an interesting mobile multimedia experience around popular literature.

It combines the (relatively) old skool readability of a Kindle with the engagement of a YouTube series, all wrapped in the delicious flavor of a usable, interactive UI for web users and iFanboys alike.

]]> Of course, no experiment involving new media and books would be complete without reference to our dear friend Mr. Gary Vaynerchuk, whose new title, Crush It!, was just published in every imaginable format, including this one. And as skeptical as we were about the marriage of books and video, at least for this author and product, the format really seems to work.

Another one of the Vooks we saw was a cookbook - another product type that meshes very well with the hybrid book/video offering.

We see vooks being awesome for many verticals. Celebrity-penned tomes interspersed with video interviews or anecdotes, how-to books with video tutorials, biographies, et cetera. But how does the format work for literary fiction, pop attorney dramas, or romance? Time and experimentation will tell.

Still, for nonfiction works, we think that ebook formats that can integrate intelligently with online video are where it's at, and we applaud Vook's direction. If they can just get the licenses to splice The Princess Bride film footage with the ebook text, we'll personally invest our two cents.

Comment from Eoin Purcell on 2009-11-13

2009-11-13T23:54:00Z

Matt,

Thanks for the response.
I'll clarify, it dumps me into the same flash player that YouTube videos play on on my ipod Touch, I assumed that was youtube, poor checking on my part but:

1) It changes by default the screen aspect from vertical to horizontal forcing me to shift the screen (annoying)
2) It takes me away from the text (also annoying)

As to using the browser version, I shall give it a go but It would mean paying for the same content again! I guess I'll not buy an app vook again!
Eoin

Comment from Matt on 2009-11-13

2009-11-13T19:34:59Z

Jolie,

This is Matt from Vook. I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your review and feedback. We too see the vast potential for our vooks and we're always glad when other people recognize it. If you want to share any further feedback you can always reach me at Matthew@vook.com

Eoin --

I really appreciate your feedback as well -- but I did want to point out the vook app on ipod does not dump you out to YouTube. Our videos are all integrated into our applications. You might want to try our browser version, which is available at vook.com -- it addresses your request for a Website approach.

Best,

Matt Cavnar
Vook

Comment from Eoin Purcell on 2009-11-13

2009-11-13T09:42:21Z

I thought Crush It! was awful as a Vook on the ipod touch, you click a video and are dumped out to youtube which forces you to turn your screen. The UI is less than obvious and I couldn't help but feel that decent website that gave me access on any device would have been far better! Overall it was a poor experience
Eoin

Comment from KylanW on 2009-11-13

2009-11-13T09:06:12Z

A vook is a new innovation in reading that blends a well-written book, high-quality video and the power of the Internet into a single, complete story. You can read your book, watch videos that enhance the story and connect with authors and your friends through social media all on one screen, without switching between platforms. Vooks are available in two formats: As a web-based application you can read on your computer and a mobile application for reading on the go. With the web-based application you don't have to download programs or install software. Just open your favorite browser and start reading and watching in an exciting new way. You can also download and install the mobile applications through the Apple iTunes store and sync them with your Apple mobile device. This will worth some pay day loan.