Nevada Press Bulletin
Is Apple ready to change the way we read newspapers?
By Kevin Slimp
Jeremy Horwitch, editor-in-chief at iLounge.com, thinks it’s a done deal. Brian Lam of Gizmodo.com says he has sources from major newspapers and book publishers who have told him they’ve been in conversation with Apple about the new device.
And, to keep things in perspective, Stefan Constantinescue of IntoMobile.com seems to think there never will be an iTablet and all the hype is just that: hype.
What is an iTablet, you ask? Beats me. I don’t even know if there really is such a thing. Rumors have been swirling for years that Apple has been at work, secretly working on a tablet-style creation that does it all. Looking for constant access to the Internet, no matter where you are? Check. Want a device that allows you to read newspapers and magazines as clearly as on paper? Check. Want to watch your favorite TV show while you sit on the park bench? Check.
Well, maybe.
Even though bloggers and writers are enamored with the idea of this new mechanism, no one outside of Apple seems to know if it really exists. Frankly, I’ve pretty much ignored all the hype. That is, until I read Daniel Lyons column in Newsweek. We’re not talking about some blog out in the stratosphere. We’re talking Newsweek. And if Daniel thinks this might be real, I’m willing to spend a few hours seeing what I can learn for myself.
Since I couldn’t find anyone that knows for sure (I did email an old buddy at Apple, but got the response I expected: nothing), I decided to poll some folks who are in the know about this type of thing. After all these years of speaking, writing, teaching and working with software companies, I’ve gotten to know quite a few really smart people. People who know things. Surely at least one of them would have an inside track on the iTablet.
What did I learn? Nothing.
Everyone seemed to agree that it’s feasible Apple could be working on such a device. Although one wrote, “If it is real, it will probably be smaller than people expect, heavier, more expensive, or have a battery life of an hour.”
And, possibly as a nudge to Apple, all of them volunteered that they would buy such a device as soon as it hit the market. But no one had any inside information. I’d make a lousy crime reporter.
In his Newsweek column, Lyons wrote, “Now imagine a larger form factor, with a screen big enough to hold multiple panes of information. It has no lag time and lasts many hours on a battery charge. Here, then, is your morning newspaper, with videos next to stories and the ability to customize the panes to deliver what you want and leave out what you don’t. This device is your TV, your stereo, and probably your telephone too.”
I’m sure that many of us are both excited and scared to death about this prospect. What will happen to our newspapers if this is true?
Lyons writes, “In 10 years the print newspapers we have today will seem as quaint and primitive as those old Uncle Miltie shows.”
My friend Ken Blum and I have disagreed about the future of printed newspapers for some time. While he expects printed newspapers to disappear from the scene entirely over the next few years, I’ve always felt like the future will include newspapers in print as well as devices like the iTablet that will allow the reader to receive news electronically as easily as picking up the morning paper.
If you wonder what this new device might look like, just go to Google and enter “iTablet.” Artists and techies are having a field day guessing what the iTablet might look like, if it exists at all.
This brings me to a point I’ve written and spoken about for more than a decade. It’s imperative that newspapers keep abreast of new technology. Whether it’s the computer, the Kindle or some other new gadget, dismissing new technology is never a good idea. And, if the bloggers are right and Steve Jobs announces an iTablet in January, my suggestion would be to get one and figure out how to use it to your advantage.
Do I think it’s real? I have no idea. But if it is, I’ll be the first in line to buy one.
Prepare now for 2010 elections
U.S. federal elections are a year away. Numerous other jurisdictions will conduct elections between now and then. It’s not too early to begin outlining your election coverage.
Election coverage is one of the most demanding and exhaustive tasks that newsrooms undertake. The process will be smoother for newsrooms – and the coverage more relevant to readers – if you take early steps.
•Interviewing candidates – Newspapers are a primary source for in-depth information about candidates, especially their positions on a variety of issues. Reporters must be as well schooled on the issues as the candidates in order to produce stories with substance and meaning.
•Letters to the editor – More newspapers restrict endorsement letters due to orchestrated writing campaigns. The problem must be addressed. Don’t forget, however, that the exchange of ideas remains the lifeblood of editorial pages and the heart of newspapers.
•Editorial endorsements – Newspapers have a responsibility, even an obligation, to weigh in on those individuals who they believe will best represent the interests of their communities. Editors and reporters usually have a distinctive insight on candidates.
•Graphics – Graphics play an important role in all aspects of election coverage – from profiling candidates to reporting vote totals. Graphics, when done right, are another entry point into the story and give readers immediate information.
•Utilizing the Web – Newspaper Web sites are a vital element of coverage. They offer opportunity for leading the way on breaking news, to supplement analysis of issues, and to facilitate exchange among readers and candidates.
•Voter guides – These guides, if produced, must be viewed as one slice of election coverage. They must be coordinated carefully so they complement and do not diminish other ongoing coverage.
This is but one starting list, and newsrooms are likely to identify other “elements” of coverage by convening a brainstorming session. For example:
Judges are arguably among the most influential of elected officials. Newspapers should not be afraid to scrutinize judicial candidates and even offer a recommendation, especially if the races are of high visibility. Doing so requires extra effort, however, and therefore extra planning.
School referendums pose special circumstance, too. Schools are at the heart of community life, and newspapers are supposed to be boosters of quality education. That said, responsible reporting means examining issues and writing stories that could prompt “yes” as well as “no” votes.
What are criteria for statewide candidates who seek local coverage? How do you follow the campaign of a local candidate seeking a congressional office? Have you developed a checklist for election night so staff is prepared for the expected and unexpected results?
Solid election coverage requires solid planning. Campaigns include many red-letter dates and events. As crowded as this calendar appears with filing dates and candidate forums and endorsement conventions, the newsroom’s “internal” calendar will be even more detailed. When must candidate questionnaires be distributed and answers compiled? What are the deadlines for letters to the editor? When will endorsements be published?
Election coverage is like sports coverage. Certain elements are standard procedure. Preseason previews give readers a glimpse of teams’ strengths and weaknesses. Candidates’ announcements shed light on their strengths.
The grind of a sports season offers opportunities for highlighting individuals’ roles and to report on team development. Months-long campaigns provide ample chance for candidates to exchange press releases on what they would bring to the table and how they would best serve constituents.
Through it all, editors and reporters must strive for consistency and balance. That’s best accomplished by considering all elements of election coverage, then evaluating each step from season beginning to season end.
Jim Pumarlo writes, speaks and provides training on Community Newsroom Success Strategies. He is author of “Votes and Quotes: A Guide to Outstanding Election Coverage” and “Bad News and Good Judgment: A Guide to Reporting on Sensitive Issues in a Small-Town Newspaper.” He can be contacted at www.pumarlo.com.
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