What is interactive media?
Interactive media combines any format (web, print, disc, video, audio, virtual reality, PDF,
Hyperlinks, etc.) that allow users to respond to content that they are viewing. Interactive
media is evolving at such as fast rate compared to other forms of new technology and
multisensory technology, this is allowing people to taste, touch, see, hear, and feel things,
utilizing all of the senses.
Interactive media is not always electronic or digital, interactive media can be things such as
pop up books or board games. It just has to be something somebody is physically involved
with.
The internet is a very interactive media type; one of biggest examples is YouTube. YouTube
allows you to upload videos, share them to other websites and allow people to view and
comment on them all within a few presses of a button. All it requires is internet access and a
YouTube account. The main reason why I chose this as an example of interactive media is
because you can control the videos you watch by pausing them, stopping them, fast
forwarding, rewinding and changing the quality. You can also click annotations this event
will link you to another location.
YouTube will interact with you viewing history and habits using cookies to recommend you
videos that you may like. It is also a big business where some of the most viewed and
interacted and making millions per year.
Another example is the BBC iPlayer, this is a tool that allows you to watch or catch up TV
shows you may have missed or have not seen. It is similar to YouTube, since it also allows
you to share with websites such as Facebook, but it is a lot more interactive allowing you to
use devices such as iPads, iPods and Consoles. This shows full episodes, and you have to
have an idea what you want to watch. There isn’t a huge variety but it’s clear what
everything’s purpose is.