The magazine industry has survived the coming of the digital age because it has been able to exploit technological advances. Indeed, it has always done so throughout its long history

The magazine industry, over its very successful history, has consistently kept up to date with technological advancements. If you look at the history of magazines there is no solid evidence to contradict this statement. As soon as a new factor in technology develops, the magazine industry uses it to their advantage, for example, the ability to use more advanced technical photography i.e. images developing from black and white to coloured and the ability to edit a photo. It seems that the growth in technology has done nothing but feed the gargantuan industry.


Microsoft predicts in a timeline on its website (dated September 13 1999) and in advertising that a 'slate form' Tablet PC would be a mainstream device by 2004; that eNewstands would 'proliferate on street corners' by 2006; by 2008 ebook titles would 'begin to outsell conventional volumes in most counties'; two years later companies would be giving away ebook devices; and by 2020, the primary dictionary definition of a book would be writing displayed on a computer. Although the timeline up to present isn't entirely accurate, the 2020 prediction can't be discarded and treated as invalid quite yet.

technological developments such as the apple iphone 'app store' had given NME the opportunity to create an application and sell it for 59p, giving the access to band photographs using 'Umee' technology. This benefits NME in the way that their brand will reach a broader range of the population as buying or accessing 'apps' is becoming more and more popular.

subsiquently, technological development has and will benefit the magazine industry- there are for and against points of view on this. The for point of view as mentioned earlier is that there is the opportunity to reach a broader range of he population. Many people possess a computer nowadays, and it almost comes as standard to possess one. This fact can and has been exploited greatly by the magazine industry. The against point of view is that the technological advances may destroy the whole culture of picking up a magazine and reading. As readers hold what they're reading they almost feel part of it, like they're in there own little world. Although it may cost a lot less, religious readers may dwindle and profits my fall.


In direct response to the title, my answer is vaguely distinguished. Magazines have been a very popular product and many contribute to the large profits. In addition to this success, the well developed technology has done nothing but benefit, but technology is ever improving and soon, the hard backed form of our beloved magazines may become obsolete.