WSJ: Apple in tablet talks with HarperCollins
Report offers some of the best evidence yet that the much-anticipated Apple tablet should be an e-book reader, along with who knows what else.
We had heard that Apple was pitching its yet to be launched (or even confirmed) tablet device to publishers, but a Wall Street Journal story posted Monday offers a few potential specifics.
The story, citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation, says HarperCollins Publishers is negotiating a deal with Apple that would make electronic books available for the tablet. HarperCollins is expected to set the prices of the e-books and Apple would take a percentage of sales, according to the story. Whether Apple will sell titles via iTunes or a new e-book store "couldn't be learned," according to the Journal post.
The report comes on heels of a separate post Sunday related to Apple partnering with a publisher. In a story about The New York Times reportedly getting ready to announce that it will start charging readers for access to online content, New York magazine also suggested that such a deal could be in the works in time for the tablet unveiling, expected to take place at a just-confirmed invitation-only event on January 27.