A few months ago I was sitting in my room reading the latest Wired magazine. The article was something about fake diplomas being sold online or something of that sort (a testament to my ability to retain information). As I sat reading the article I began imagining that the pages were clickable, the links to sources that I wanted to read more about opened in a new window right there within the magazine. It’s not to say that this particular article wasn’t interesting or holding my attention, I just wanted the opportunity to read and learn a little more and wanted to skip the step of having to go to my computer.

Cue the iPad. This morning I read an article on Mashable.com’s website that said Top Condé Nast Magazines are Coming to iPad. Condé Nast has been struggling lately with keeping many of their popular magazines alive including one of my favorites, Gourmet. They have sought desperately for an answer. Increase the amount of advertising? Reduce the number of pages? Layoff some staff?

Cue the iPad. Now magazines have their answer. No longer do they need to produce media catered to the print advertisers, nor do they need to increase our impact on the Earth. As the general population becomes more mobile and interactive, it is a death sentence for any publisher not willing to adapt and go the route of Condé Nast. For some this is a disappointing revelation as the idea of print media can probably be reserved for luxury and novelty in the coming years.

In late March the iPad will become available according to Apple’s website. I will not be buying one but millions of people will. I am going to wait until they come out with a device worthy of my hundreds of dollars. There is not doubt, however, that this is going to change the way we read magazines and read everything. Add a camera, the ability to run multiple applications, make it an intuitive tablet/reader/mobile browsing tool in general and I will buy one. That is all.

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