Sunday, July 27, 2025, 2:54AM | 
MENU
Advertisement

Cybertainment: Interactive ebook 'Silent History' breaks new ground

Cybertainment: Interactive ebook 'Silent History' breaks new ground

There are plenty of ebooks on the market, but "The Silent History" pushes the envelope for what a fully interactive ebook can be and do.

It's much more than digitized text. Part book, part treasure hunt, it immerses readers in the story in new ways.

"The Silent History" was created for the iPad/iPhone, and an Android version is in the works.

Advertisement

The plot centers on a mysterious epidemic of children who are unable to speak. Each chapter is called a "testimonial" and told from the point of view of people affected by the outbreak -- parents, doctors, teachers and others.

The book is released in serial form: there are six parts -- each with 20 short chapters released every weekday over a month. There's a month's break between episodes, so the action unfolds over a year.

There also are extra features called "field reports" -- short segments designed to enhance and deepen the narrative, which are set in real locations and feature real-world landmarks. To access these, the reader has to be physically present near the area where the field report is set, and have his/her tablet or phone's GPS match the location's coordinates. For example, the report might mention a specific object, such as a fence or a window, and the reader will see it in real life as they read the field report.

Readers don't need to have the field reports in order to appreciate the book's main narrative. The app's creators aim to expand the reach of the field reports section and are inviting people to submit their own reports from locations not currently part of the "The Silent History" project.

Advertisement

The app is $1.99 for the first monthly installment of the book and $8.99 for the entire book.

www.thesilenthistory.com


Robots for iPad is a new app that explores the diverse world of robots with an extensive collection of color photos and information. It will appeal to anyone interested in learning more about robots and technology and is a great introduction to the world of robotics for kids.

The app features information on 126 robots from 19 countries, with specs and articles about each.

There are nearly 500 photos. Swiping the touch screen creates 360-degree views of some of the robots, and users can use the interactive screen to get them to move.

Other features include videos of robots in action, audio interviews with leading roboticists and news updates from the field of robotics.

Robots for iPad was created by the technology magazine IEEE Spectrum.

It's available for iPad and iPhone on iTunes ($4.99).

http://robotsforipad.com

First Published: December 9, 2012, 5:00 a.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
A huge Canadian flag carried by a crowd in Montreal in 1995, before a referendum on Quecec’s independence. Dennis Jett suggests Pennsylvania do the same in reverse.
1
opinion
Dennis Jett: Pennsylvania should become part of Canada
There is a large covered porch at the front of the house at 115 Forest Hills Road in Forest Hills.
2
life
Buying Here: Forest Hills home in its own 'mini-forest' listed for $425,000
New cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) gets into position prior to a play during practice on the first day of Steelers Training Camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe Thursday, July 24, 2025.
3
sports
Steelers training camp observations: Jalen Ramsey-led defense comes out 'aggressive and angry'
Several houses are shown along N. Dallas Avenue near Penn Avenue in Point Breeze with “For Sale” signs in the front yard, Friday, March 21, 2025.
4
business
A cooling market and patient buyers are causing many Pittsburgh home sellers to cut their prices
A woman charged under the name Shannon Nicole Womack is accused of using fake names, fake references and fake credentials at staffing agencies to secure nursing jobs across Pennsylvania and beyond. Pennsylvania State Police urged health care providers across the state to check their records and study the woman’s photo to help identify other facilities she might have duped.
5
news
Pittsburgh 'fake nurse' linked to 5 more Pennsylvania facilities
Advertisement
LATEST ae
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story