immedia newsletter: November 2012

Exploring the heart of Southern Africa

With the festive season fast approaching, our team has been busy tinkering away in the immedia workshop. We’ve got your travel plans covered with our latest iBook as well as a newly-released app, Seychelles Yacht Charter for iPad and iPhone. At this month’s #OpenNight, Microsoft’s Surface tablet and the iPad mini lived up to their reputation as some of 2012’s great gadget gifts. So without further ado, let’s kick off the holiday treats we’ve been working on.

Multinational partnership at forefront of app revolution

We’re proud to announce that we’ve recently published our first two iBooks directed at would-be travellers. Our first, The African Travel Storybook, Volume: 1 was written by photojournalist and creative content guru, Angus Begg. The emphasis is on excellent content, which in itself markets a destination. This book has transformed the average reading / browsing experience into an interactive, audiovisual experience, often touching on the narrative of a location – in this case specifically referring to the safari world. The second is A Guide to Southern Africa’s Iconic Safari Destinations. This is a comprehensive safari guide compiled by industry expert, Anthony Cavill-Taylor.

Both of these multitouch books provide comprehensive information about Southern Africa as a destination, providing readers with an almost firsthand experience. With interactive maps, videos, striking imagery, rich text and audio clips from ‘the bush’, readers are able to journey into the subcontinent, in the process getting an insight into various aspects of the destination, wildlife and culture. Hopefully, exciting even the most hesitant traveller to pack their bags.

Both writers showcase different angles of Southern Africa. Angus provides readers with an audiovisual travel journal, offering insight into Southern Africa through the eyes of a family man. Anthony, on the other hand, provides readers with safari industry secrets in order to ensure that safari enthusiasts gain the utmost from their travels.

Both iBooks promise you a rich, authentic view of what to expect in Southern Africa, and make for great reads this festive season. Pictured is our iBook design team engaged in these interactive reads, which we hope you too will enjoy.

The dawn of the Windows revolution

We hosted a Windows 8-themed #OpenNight yesterday with great success. Silicon Beach’s growing digital community gathered at immedia HQ to explore Microsoft’s latest software and hardware updates, which are taking the world by storm. Some of our devs introduced the audience to Windows 8, sharing all they’ve learnt about what’s not merely a software update, but a complete revamp of the Windows operating system.

One of our technical partners, Matt Cavanagh of Roguecode showcased Microsoft’s Surface tablet and shared his experience developing for Windows 8. The brand new iPad mini was also on display, giving the Apple enthusiasts in the room something to drool over. With it’s portability, power and built-in apps, the iPad mini brings a new kind of experience for iPad fans in need of a smaller package.

It was an awesome night of technological playthings and a great opportunity to build and strengthen the Silicon Beach community. One of the attendees, Darryl Bangar said: “An entertaining and insightful evening with knowledgeable speakers. It was a truly commendable effort to bring technology to the local community. Well done, immedia!”… more »