News Corp chief Rupert Murdoch is embarking on an ambitious plan for a new national digital newspaper in the US to be distributed exclusively as paid content for tablet computers such as iPads and mobile phones, the Los Angeles Times reports.
It says the initiative, which would directly compete with the New York Times, USA Today and other national publications in the US, shows how the iPad is transforming the reading habits of consumers much like the iPod changed how people listen to music.
The LA Times adds: "The new digital newspaper would target a more general readership, offering short, snappy stories that could be digested quickly. The newsroom would operate under the auspices of Murdoch's New York Post and be overseen by its managing editor, Jesse Angelo. "News Corp. has yet to set a launch date, although people familiar with the matter said the news organization would like it to debut by year's end."
I don't understand why this is such a special idea. I can get to mobile news on my device, both with and without subscription. And I personally prefer to draw news from multiple/varying sources, so that I can compare and think critically. Why is this such a big deal?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post Lorne,
ReplyDeleteGood point about how people can chose from a multiple number of sources.
I guess the media is fascinated by Rupert Murdoch and whatever he does is going to make news and be seen as a "big deal".
He certainly seems to think that the iPad and tablets are the future for news journalism and those worried that newspapers are doomed would like to believe he is right.
Thanks for the response Jon,
ReplyDeleteI see what you mean. I guess in that sense it was a big deal, but I don't see much stir about it any more - I guess I'd have to own an iPad :)
I definitely agree that tablets are the future of a lot of things, including journalism. Only if tablets were more usable and less fragile. I think we need something between a Kindle and an iPad...
Cheers, Lorne