Möbius faces the challenge of creating new immersive experiences through books is inspired by four different aspects. Firstly, users long to read more, but they also need books to fulfil the need for social and shared experiences they get from other digital media. Secondly, many different technologies exist and are mature enough to create enriched and immersive book experiences that can satisfy user requirements. Thirdly, prosumers can contribute to the design and development process to ensure the “technology push” does not drift away from the product from what is meaningful, useful and acceptable for them. Finally, Möbius gladly takes advice from the experts: “After the first decade of mainstreaming digital reading, publishers, designers and marketers might be as well advised to return to the drawing board and reconceive their digital approaches”.

Möbius enriches the book experience with cross-media productions, such as the digital version of the book, which includes social interaction capacities; the 3D audiobook for an increased sense of immersiveness and enriched narrative by including three separate audio layers for narration, soundscapes and effects, and soundtracks; an audiovisual content based on the book arts, ad hoc artistic or marketing creations, or contributions from prosumers integrated into the narrative stream. Altogether, it will allow users to enjoy a cross-media reading experience or to cruise from one experience to another (e.g., print, eBook, audiobook) depending on their circumstances or wishes.

Möbius is currently subjecting this initial design to co-creation activities with beta-testers to ensure it incorporates relevant and qualified user input and requirements. Therefore, modifications and improvements resulting from user participation in the prototype development phase are expected and welcomed, as they will prove the validity of participatory approaches and the value added by users in the process.

Stay tuned to this webpage to see the updates of the Möbius Book Experiences!