The Encyclopaedia Britannica, which last month announced was stopping the publication of its 32 volume editions, is turning its attention to the digital world with the launch of a new iOS subscription service.
Sign up for free updates No Spam Guarantee
The App, which will only be available on Apple devices, will cost £1.99 a month. The new digital strategy comes in the face of the firm's struggle in competing with Google and Wikipedia as our favourite information sources. iOS users will be able to access 80, 000 plus Britannica articles. There will also be charts and photographs that those with iPad and iPhones can look through. There is also a Link feature helping to join up articles you have read.
A review already up on the App store claims the Britannica app is a "excellent alternative to Wikipedia" illustrating the fact that there are already myriad apps available for both iOS and Android users that have been around for longer and make similar information available. Here is the top 5 competitors:
Fotopedia Heritage – If you want to search for information via pictures rather than text then Fotopedia is a good alternative. An iPhone app it contains information about different places through photography. The heritage version contains specific details about every UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are over 3,000 entries. You can search for one or simply shake the device and it comes up with a random suggestion. Over 25,000 images are stored. It is free.
Wikipedia – Clearly the main competitor to Encyclopaedia Britannica, Wiki has been ahead of the curve in adapting new technology and practice into its offer. Augmented Reality, geo-tagging to help you learn about a new town or place you're visiting, it makes the app more interactive. However, the issues some users have with Wikipedia are about the quality and accuracy of the information stored. Wiki does a lot to combat this with its team of reviewers but still there are concerns.
Ballet Encyclopaedia, and others – Everyone has different interests and different topics they want to learn about. There are a range of apps specifically designed for these different interests. One is the Ballet Encyclopaedia which includes descriptions on positions, movements and practices in ballet. There are also images and videos. Ideal for younger children there are also alternatives around animals and birds. They are free and perfect to keep children entertained during car journeys, for example or for offering an educational angle.
Medical Encyclopaedia – It is a truth universally acknowledged that you should never search for illness symptoms online. A comprehensive medical guide for the iPhone should probably be avoided by hypochondriacs; however it does contain over 50,000 pages and includes information on symptoms, diseases, injuries, surgery and nutrition. There are YouTube videos as well. The app is free.
Google Earth – The other major competitor to Britannica, Google constantly comes up with new apps and ways to illustrate the wealth of information at your fingertips. Google earth is one such example which allows users to search for locations, scroll through users images and information. For those searching for attractions and events it is a useful app to use on the move or from the comfort of your living room.
| Share This Content | Subscribe to Free Updates |
