Technologies develop rapidly and reach hurricane levels of velocity but quality E-Content and innovative applications lag behind. This book addresses the question how content industries change within a digital environment and what role information and communication technologies play in transforming the competitive landscape. The authors argue that post-industrial societies tend to pay substantial amounts for equipment and gadgets but invest far too little in the quality of the content. As a result, much effort is and has to be spent on the enhancement of E-Content.

The contributions give an elaborate overview of:
- the specifics, challenges and prospects of content in the network economy;
- market developments of digital media services;
- paid content business models;
- impacts on scientific publishing;
- developments in the field of E-Learning;
- the interplay between technology and content with the example of interactive digital TV;
- the mobile games market;
- emerging new cross media markets;
- the need to enhance the usability of websites and mobile applications;
- how digital applications might be used to capture and store our personal experiences.

A final chapter shows the prospects of the European E-Content market and gives an overview of valuable initiatives and resources dealing with the topic of E-Content.

Introduction

A. Buchholz, A. Zerfass: E-Content in Europe: Dimensions of an Emerging Field
T. Pelkonen: The State of Digital Media Service Business
J. Boumans: Paid Content: From Fee to Fee
A. Nagy: The Impact of E-Learning
Z. Karssen: Scientific Publishing: A European Strength
T. Pelkonen: Mobile Games: An Emerging Content Business Area
J. Boumans: Cross-Media on the Advance
J. Orava, M. Perttula: Interactive Digital Television in Europe
A. Zerfass, B. Hartmann: The Usability Factor: Improving the Quality of E-Content
P. Werkhoven: Experience Machines: Capturing and Retrieving Personal Content
P.A. Bruck: Prospects of E-Content in Europe
A. Buchholz, B. Hartmann, S. Sandhu: A Guide to European Initiatives and Resources in E-Content
About the Authors.