News Corp gearing up to launch iPad only newspaper

The iPad only newspaper, titled 'The Daily' is expected to be launched this Christmas or the beginning of next year and is likely to have the flavor of tabloid journalism.

The buzz has it that News Corp., the parent company of The New York Post, and The Wall Street Journal, is hiring 100 journalists.

These include Pete Picton, online editor of the ‘Sun’ who will now be among the three managing editors of the digital newspaper.

'The Daily’ will only be sent from the News Corp. headquarters in Manhattan. It will not have any foreign bureau or even a Washington office.

But its 100 staffers are expected to cover national events, beats and provide breaking news like any other print media journalist.

Considering the latest development, one thing is certain that both Rupert Murdoch and Steve Jobs share a common thinking. Both of them have so far aimed at giving people what they really want to buy instead of selling what they merely consume.

Apple's role limited to technical expertise
Apple’s role will be limited to providing the technical expertise.

The company will only be making the iPad available to its potential customers. Speculations are rife that the technology giant is coming up with a next generation iPad in the first quarter next year.

With the feature being available to just iPad owners, the company will charge 99 cents per week for the newspaper service.

Paying for news seems odd but here the platform makes the difference. While news is freely available on the net, the iPad owners will definitely give priority to exclusivity and convenience than the cost.

Considering the latest development, one thing is certain that both Rupert Murdoch and Steve Jobs share a common thinking. Both of them have so far aimed at giving people what they really want to buy instead of selling what they merely consume.

Apple interested in newspapers
“Several sources said Apple Chief Steve Jobs and Murdoch have been in conversation about the project for a while,” according to ‘Women’s Wear’ Daily’s John Koblin.

“When the project is announced, don’t be surprised if you see Steve Jobs onstage with Rupert Murdoch, welcoming ‘The Daily’ to the app world.”

There are rumors that Apple is investing in newspaper subscriptions that would be similar to its app store. For a portion of the subscription price and revenue from advertisements, magazines and newspapers will be allowed to offer subscriptions through the app store.

'The Daily’ will be the first newspaper specially designed for a tablet and aims at providing “a tabloid sensibility with broadsheet intelligence.”