Numerama is a French-language news website that focuses on digital and internet technology, as well as the impact of these technologies on society [2][5]. Founded in 2002, Numerama provides news, reports, analyses, and guides related to a wide range of topics including tech, science, pop culture, and current digital trends [1][5].
Overview#
Numerama delivers news, in-depth analyses, product guides, and multimedia content. These resources cover key areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and automotive technology [5]. Numerama aims to be a reference source for understanding digital transformations and their societal implications [5].The website offers various sections, including tech, society, pop culture, sciences, cyberguerre (cyberwarfare), and vroom (automotive) [1]. Numerama also produces newsletters and comparison tools for internet service providers and mobile plans [1].
History#
Numerama was founded in April 2002 by Guillaume Champeau as a blog named Ratiatum [2]. Initially, Ratiatum focused on peer-to-peer file sharing, the culture industry, and related economic and legal issues [2]. The name "Ratiatum" came from the Roman settlement on the site of Rezé, where Champeau grew up [2].In November 2004, Ratiatum expanded into print media with Ratiatum Magazine, a monthly publication that reprinted select online articles alongside new content [5].
In 2008, Ratiatum was rebranded as Numerama to reflect a broader focus on digital technology's societal impacts [2][5]. The new name combined "numérique" (numeric) with Greek "horama" (vision) [5]. Champeau continued to serve as editor-in-chief until 2016 [2].
In October 2015, Champeau and his business partners sold PressTIC, the company that published Numerama, to Humanoid, a French online media company [2]. The site was redesigned, and editorial changes were implemented [2]. Humanoid was later integrated into the EBRA publishing conglomerate [5].
In December 2021, Numerama announced a total redesign, along with the introduction of paid subscriptions [2]. These subscriptions would provide an ad-free experience and more opportunities for interaction [2].