As an info app, Wikipedia's official app looks just like its web version, which is clean, simple and easy to read. However, prior to being digitized, encyclopedias were bound as beautiful book editions, embodying wisdom, refinement, culture and style.
Raureif's das Referenz: Wikipedia iPad app is an alternative to using Wikipedia's basic interface and instead, provides you with book-like layouts for easy reading. Although the iPad app borrows the vintage look and feel of an old library book, the app isn't all old fashioned and it includes big pictures, an intuitive page flipping gesture and other impressive details—at first, articles are all black and white, but interacting with the page will bring them to life with color.
The app is free to download but it does include ads, which can be removed for a cost of $3.
Vintage Encyclopedia Apps
The das Referenz: Wikipedia Info App is Styled Like an Old Book
Trend Themes
1. Digital Vintage Encyclopedia Apps - The trend of vintage encyclopedias being digitized for a stylish, easy-to-read digital format is disrupting the traditional encyclopedia market.
2. Visual Learning Encyclopedia Apps - Users can benefit from a visually engaging encyclopedia experience, leading to a trend of encyclopedia apps providing high-quality pictures and videos alongside textual information.
3. Personalized Encyclopedia Apps - Encyclopedia apps can leverage machine learning algorithms to offer personalized experiences to users, with article recommendations based on their interests.
Industry Implications
1. App Development - Developing innovative encyclopedias can be a new area of opportunity for app developers.
2. Education Technology - Encyclopedia apps can be utilized as an effective tool for education, leading to the growth of EdTech industries.
3. Digital Marketing - Encyclopedia apps can provide an effective platform for digital marketing opportunities through in-app advertising or brand partnerships.