Moving Content to the Tablet

News is not only being consumed on line, but it's going to be served up in new ways for computer tablets like the iPad. The latest example is Yahoo's "Livestand." Yahoo calls it a "personalized newsstand."

The Huffington Post reports, "Yahoo believes Livestand will appeal to advertisers because it will collect information about users' interests and their whereabouts." The announcement follows closely on word of Rupert Murdoch's new iPad newspaper app, "The Daily." Murdoch says, “Our aim is for The Daily to be the indispensable source for news, information, and entertainment.” 

---

These new publications mean content providers will be looking for ways to push stories to users that will fit the new model of personalized news. The challenge from a public relations and media relations standpoint will be to help deliver story ideas that will make use of these new formats. Two thoughts quickly come to mind.

First, that this new kind of reporting will place a heavy emphasis on photos. The more images, illustrations and graphics you have to tell your story, the better.

Second, it's a sure bet the new tablet news apps will have lots of short video content. Editors will be hungry for background footage and product demos when they consider whether to run your story. The more you can supply the better.

It's yet another reason to be aware of how the changing technology will affect how news is reported.