Let’s face it, average consumers are not glued to their computers. They enjoy reading books by the pool, watching programming on their TVs, and generally don’t modify their behaviors around new technology. At least, that’s what I learn from my wife. However, as technology continues to improve, helping streamline consumers’ interaction with digital media, a shift is starting to occur.

I recently brought home a new Kindle2 and was disappointed with my wife’s lackluster excitement for the device. She quickly stated she would not trade her paperback for a new high-tech gadget. However, once she started playing with it, she actually found it very similar to a book, especially the way in which text is displayed on the electronic paper.

Aside from being user-friendly, I explained to her how the device allows me to be a responsible news reader. As newspaper subscriptions continue to decrease as more and more people get their news for free from places like Yahoo! News and Google News, the flow of cash has decreased for traditional media. Income from online ads is just not replacing the conventional full page or double-truck that used to be the staple of the print news industry. In fact, according to Hollywood Reporter, a double-truck ad in the New York Times costs $100k, much more costly than the self-service online advertising they also provide. Thus, when you read your news online, you’re hurting the very social service that we need — responsible journalism. However, when you pay for your news subscription through Amazon, you’re helping old media become new again. That’s why the Kindle is such a great example of a device that not only supports the needs of consumers, but the needs of society as well. 

The same concept applies with music, which is already playing out. Take Apple for example, the iPod and iPhone are perfect devices for the non-technical and the technical alike. It adapts to the consumer and not the other way around. Music, applications, and everything that was a physical purchase is now a simple “tap” and it supports the industry that produces the media. Phil Schiller announced in his Macworld 2009 keynote speech that over 6 billion songs had been downloaded since the service first launched on April 28, 2003.

Now consider video. There are great models that support the movie and video industry: NetFlix, Apple TV, iTunes, and yes, even a set-top box, FyreTV, that caters to consumers looking for more adult-centric entertainment. As devices become available for the consumer to make their living room function as it did in the past, as an all-inclusive entertainment center, people will use it and pay for it.

What happens if Apple produces a device that’s like a large iPhone, a hybrid between a PC and a phone, and adds books and newspaper subscriptions to iTunes? That’s a game changer. Now there’s a device that allows users to do anything; scribble notes, read a book, type an email, and download a word processing application directly from Apple’s online store. An iTablet would be an amazing change to the world’s media. Everything will be in the hands of the consumer all because a few thoughtful companies figured out how to bridge the gap between the consumer and traditional media. As a result, everyone benefits and prospers!

I wish this iTablet existed.

I’m inspired! Let’s go do it!