RCom’s Novel Idea a Smart Move – Don’t Think So

There is always a transitional period while moving on from one technology to the other. It’s not just from an Internet/Software/Tech perspective. The ancient Europeans might have scorned Gutenberg’s Press the same quite a few “puritans” in India scorn the concept of an e-book. Now, an ebook for all purposes is difficult to read as compared to a normal in-your-hand book (personal opinion of the author). While more sophisticated devices like the iPhone reader or the Amazon Kindle might inspire a lot of attention in the West, most people in India read ebooks on the PC, some might have ebooks via PDF readers on their mobile phones, with most people sticking to the normal print concept.

No one denies how useful ebooks can be. Access to a vast array of information, search facilities, and cost and space effectiveness are clearly some of the most ardent arguments supporting it. But Reliance Communications has taken a step forward. More so a leap, into a hitherto unknown chasm. A major lacuna in their reasoning is probably the reason for this “marketing venture” of RCom. Reliance is all gung-ho about getting India its first Mobile Novel. The offer : read a novel spread over 30 days over a span of 90 Short messages (SMSes).

From the article : Reliance Communications will launch India’s first cell novel – Deaf Heaven. The novel, written by Pinki Virani, will be condensed into a pack of 90 SMSes. Reliance will make this novel available through a SMS subscription pack. Those subscribing to the special pack of “Deaf Heaven” will receive the entire novel through a series of SMSes spread over a period of 30 days. Everyday, the subscriber will get to read the novel through three SMSes.

We at WATBlog have been quite enthusiastic about MVAS developments, but this strange step by RCom is unbelievable. Let’s analyse. Who could their target group be? Avid readers, book enthusiasts? Obviously not, since most readers would prefer NOT to wait 30 days to finish a novel in what seems to be the newest version of the age-old cliffhanger. Tech enthusiasts then? Most tech enthusiasts are quite willing to try something new, but reading via SMS? The concept seems abhorrent and inconvenient.  With most cellphones have graphic capabilities, would it not be wiser to introduce an Ebook version via PDF reader which is downloadable.

The Mobile version of a book is not that bad an idea. But to attempt that via SMS? The concept of a novel, seems entirely contradictory to the concept of the SMS (Short Message Service). In such a paradoxical environment, does RCom really expect this venture to succeed?

One wonders if this idea was mildly inspired by the ludicrous concept of Twitterature which was floating the Web recently. The idea of retelling a literary classic in Twenty Tweets or less i.e in 2800 characters, which rougly approximates to 560 words, smaller than a short story. Of course, the site claims to present a humourous retelling, which should be interesting. It’s obvious that today, Less is the new More. And, adapting technology to suit the purpose of literature is undoubtedly useful. But, to adapt Literature to suit the tastes of technology? Call me prudish, puritan, or too Old-School, but these blasphemous heresiarches shall not succeed. (Disclaimer : in my opinion). I just hope this is not some huge misunderstanding, due to someone suggesting that Reliance implement something novel. Adjectives, Nouns, who cares right?