In a groundbreaking marriage of book publishing and technology, Penguin Group (USA) has partnered with digital publisher Citia to introduce a series of interactive, shareable nonfiction works, starting with "Wired" cofounder Kevin Kelly's "What Technology Wants." The Citia edition will be available for $9.99 in the App Store for the iPad 2 and iPad 3.
"Penguin has always looked for new ways to serve both writers and readers," says Susan Petersen Kennedy, President of Penguin Group (USA). "Allen Lane, our founder, famously started the paperback revolution in the 1930s; recently, we've created innovative, interactive eBooks. Today, we're proud to announce this new partnership with Citia, which is offering an entirely new way to read. Kevin Kelly is one of our most progressive thinkers, and 'What Technology Wants' is the perfect book to launch this format."
A Citia edition of a book reveals the idea structure of the book in a highly visual manner and allows readers to absorb book content rapidly and in whatever sequence they prefer. Books are transformed into decks of informational cards about the major themes of the book and the cards are connected in a three-dimensional landscape. While reading "What Technology Wants" in this form, each digital card is shareable via social media (Twitter, Facebook and Google+) and email. This social capability makes it easy to start and to further rich conversations with friends, family and colleagues. The Citia platform will allow ideas in books to travel farther and faster than ever before.
"I am gobsmacked," says Kelly. "Citia managed to digest the entire book, and to make it sing as well. I can't speak for other readers, but I found the Citia app edition of my book fast moving, yet deep, and clear. I am really proud to be associated with this experiment." What Technology Wants posits that technology is a living force that can expand our individual potential—if we listen to what it wants.
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