Interactive multimedia systems comprising primarily electronic interactive platforms into which books, magazines, catalogues and other printed material are placed, software and an electronic pointer that allows a user to hear summary information regarding the printed materials and uses spoken or other audio signals to bring to the user's attention materials or products of personal interest to the user, and which allows the user to augment the information contained in the printed materials or to initiate an electronic inquiry, or responses regarding the materials, or request additional information; interactive multimedia systems comprising primarily electronic interactive platforms into which books, magazines, catalogues and other printed material are placed, software and an electronic pointer that when placed in close proximity to the materials activates the printed materials and transmits the information to a headphone so that the user can hear the augmentations to the material or is adapted to transmit or receive the information to or from a computer