Looking to link its print publications to digital content, HarperCollins is releasing HarperCollins Unbound, a new, free app for Apple and Android smartphones that allows consumers to scan HarperCollins print books for additional digital content. The app is being launched today with two titles, The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond and You: The Owner’s Manual by Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen, which will both have video content embedded for the HarperCollins Unbound app.
Beginning today readers can download the free HarperCollins Unbound app from the App Store or Google Play and use the app/scanner to retrieve a variety of digital content, including cooking and health-tip videos in addition to interviews, quizzes and more. The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays by New York Times bestsellig author Ree Drummond is on sale now; and the paperback edition of You: The Owner’s Manual by Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen goes on sales Dec. 17.
The HarperCollins Unbound app is produced by Shortcut Media, an interactive-print solution that can recognize symbols in text linked to additional digital content. An HC spokesperson said the company plans to make a selected number of titles available through Unbound, mostly nonfiction.
“One of the most interesting questions in technology today is how we are going to ultimately bridge the gap between the physical and virtual worlds. We’re thrilled to be taking the lead in bridging that gap through this new offering," saud Angela Tribelli, HC chief marketing officer. "Thanks to Shortcut’s pioneering technology, consumers can scan a book and instantly download multimedia content straight to a mobile device—content that brings them closer to our authors.”
