News Corp buys Skiff reader, makes new investment

News Corp on Monday announced it has purchased the 3G-connected Skiff e-reader from Hearst and invested in Journalism Online, a venture meant to help online newspapers, magazines and publishers to collect revenue. The financial details of either transaction were not revealed. Put in charge of these two initiatives was Jon Housman, whose title is now President of News Corporation's digital journalism initiatives. Housman worked to finalize the deal over the past year.

Skiff is an 11.5-inch e-reader with a resolution of 1200x1600 that focuses on displaying magazines in their native format. The device will have 3G data access courtesy of Sprint.

Jon Miller, the Chief Digital Office for News Corp, said both Skiff and Journalism Online are key building blocks in the company's strategy to "transform the publishing industry and ensure consumers will have continued access to the highest quality journalism."

By Electronista Staff