Rupert Murdoch and News Corp are apparently looking at the launch of a national news publication that will be distributed via iPad and mobile. The pub would use its own staff but have the assets of other News Corp properties at its disposal. Yesterday we commented on Nomad, the online publication being planned by former media execs in New York. Is this a preview of a post-print era for newspapers?

News Corp. explores national news app for iPad, mobile phones | Company Town | Los Angeles Times.

Former Newsweek President Mark Edmiston and a small group of former print writers and editors are launching Nomad Editions, a publication that will be published specifically for mobile devices. The launch, slated for the fall, will be focused on a number of niches. None are named specifically but surfing and movies are offered as two examples. In a not too subtle swipe at Demand Media‘s low pay scale, Edmiston said that the time is ripe for an online publication that will compensate its writers fairly. He said that writers could make up to $50K-$60K if their nice editions attract 50,000 subscribers. First impression: Sounds like a lot of readers for a startup and a niche publication. Also sounds like a lot of articles, especially since each one will presumably require much more work than what required to together a Demand Media piece.

A Magazine Meant for Mobile – NYTimes.com.

Murdoch said to be pursuing an iPad based news application. What’s most interesting is that it will not be tied directly to any News Corp. publication or product. The  Wall Street Journal iPad app has attracted more than 10,000 users at $17.29 per month, earning the company well over $2 million per year.

Rupert Murdoch Rumored to Be Launching Tablet-Targeted News Service | Fast Company.

Steve Ballmer is concerned and promises that Microsoft is not asleep at the wheel. He stresses that Microsoft’s partners are developing prototypes with “micro computer” capabilities like detachable keyboards and stylus inputs.

Ballmer “urgently” wants to launch iPad killer | News | PC Pro.

Our interview ABC News Digital’s Andrew Morse, Executive Producer of Innovation and Integration. Morse is charge with coordinating and pushing forward ABC News’ digital initiatives. According to Morse, ABC News, now sees itself as a multi-platform resource and he is working to make sure that the network’s news content is tailored to the contours of each distribution platform. Especially worth a look is the net’s new immersive iPad application. Though it’s just out, Morse comments that version 2.0 is already in the works.

Well, if you don’t know by now that Saturday was the first day Apple released the iPad onto the open market, chances are your mind (and/or body) have been elsewhere for the last few days.

And chances are that by now you may have even seen someone in your office or elsewhere playing with their hot new tech toy.

There’s honestly been more iPad coverage than we can even keep up with as of late.

But that doesn’t mean we aren’t going to try.

So below you’ll find a handful of links to some recent iPad or iPad-related coverage.

We trust that these will provide more info than you ever probably wanted to know about this beast…

300,000 sales, and one million apps downloaded…on the first day [NY Times]

And 87% of tweets express an “intent” to purchase [TechCrunch]

But it won’t be long before it’s got some competition [Mashable]

From more than one company, too [PaidContent.org]

The 5 best iPad e-reader apps as rated by the fine folks at Mashable [Mashable]

And Gizmodo’s got you covered with reviews of as many iPad apps as they can get their hands on [Gizmodo]

Let the app review parade continue… [Engadget]

Add this to the list of useful things to know about iPad [Gizmodo]

WiFi issues? Considering the only models currently on the market are the ones with WiFi, that can’t be a fun time [TechCrunch]

Links to even more iPad coverage (how excited are YOU!) [Engadget]

Lorne Manly of the New York Times interviews Kevin Mayer at DeSilva + Phillips Dealmakers Summit

Speaking to a full-house of media and financial players, Kevin Mayer and Lorne Manly kicked off DeSilva + Phillips annual Dealmakers Summit.

Some highlights of the conversation:

• The Marvel Deal: Disney is expert at deriving value from characters. Marvel presents a lot of characters that have not yet been fully exploited. Disney is learning the value of multi-platform and doing at a low cost from Marvel.
• Premium Services: Disney has not yet determined how it will charge for premium services. A hybrid model is likely.
• 3D: It is not likely that ESPN 3D will be ready for the World Cup.
• Acquisitions: Not planning anything big soon. Disney, particularly CEO Bob Iger, is expert at bringing in new companies and enabling them to assimilate while maintaining their unique cultures.
• iPad: It’s a new platform. It is somewhere in between mobile and PC. It will be a great gaming platform. Terrific graphics potential

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• Apple’s secret iPad weapon: Marvel Comics? (debaird.net)

Now that the dust has settled… slightly on the perhaps unfortunately named iPad,  I have a few reactions to the product, and have put together several (related) thoughts, which I have done below.

Maybe these are valid and correct, maybe not. Opinions and speculation are just that, and shouldn’t be construed any other way. The first iPads won’t even ship for another two months, and the first iPads with 3G won’t ship for another three months, but with the way this thing’s been covered over the past 48 hours, you’d think it was much sooner. Anyways, I have indeed laid out a couple of semi-brief thoughts below. Your mission, should you choose to accept, is to look them over and inevitably tell me I’m crazy in the comments. Should be a fun ride, right?

Now…

Much probably has been and probably will continue to be made about the iPad’s sizable price tag. The “base line” model – with WiFi and 16 GB is going to be $499, a step up with WiFi and 32 GB will cost you $599, and the top of the line with WiFi and 64 GB will set you back $699. Add to that 130 more bones for 3G, and you’re pushing $1000. And of course, if you want to take advantage of the 3G, you’ll be looking at another $15-$30 a month in AT&T charges.

Now, compare that to the price of comparable products.

The Kindle, for instance is $259 (new). But let’s be honest, the Kindle is NOT the iPad. The iPad is far more than just an e-reader. And while I know Amazon recently announced an app store for the Kindle, come on, do we really think this will place it anywhere near the functionality and aesthetics of an iPad?  Though, I will say, as blasphemous as it sounds coming from an iPhone user, I do like the Kindle’s physical keyboard over Apple’s touchscreen keyboard. But that may all be different with the iPad, since the 9.7 inch screen is much larger than the iPhone’s 3.5 inch display.

And how about the iPad when you compare it to the cost of a netbook? The majority of those bad boys are around or under $400, and are just as portable. Plus, they have bigger screens, significantly bigger hard drives, support flash, and can run more than one application at a time. But netbooks don’t have the wide open realm of apps that the iPad will. Sure, they have access to all the traditional software your little heart can buy. But what about independently developed apps for $5.99 (or FREE even)? Of course, I have no idea if that will be a standard app price on the iPad, but I doubt the price tag will come anywhere near what we pay now for traditional laptop software. And it’s not like there will be any shortage of them, considering when the iPad ships, you’ll already have 140,000 apps from which to choose (and you’ll be able to transfer all your iPhone apps to the iPad). Once you’ve totaled the price of a netbook with all the associated software, you may still be talking the same $500, $600+ that the iPad will cost you.

Not to mention, the price may seem steep now, but we’re not in Kansas anymore, Steve. Meaning – when the iPhone was announced a couple of years ago, it was more or less one of a kind. So Apple could justify keeping its prices relatively high until the competition caught up (which it has now done). The iPad is coming into a market that’s already full of competitive products. While the initial price may be $500+, I doubt it will stay there for too long. It’s the beauty of capitalism at work.

Then again, as I said before, this is just speculation and nothing is guaranteed. And the Kindle, netbooks and many other similar/competitive products have some significant legs up on the iPad. I’m certainly not trying to suggest that anyone who uses a Kindle or a netbook or anything else cease and desist in favor of an iPad. I’m simply throwing this all out there.

It’s about the future, not the present. There are advantages and drawbacks to everything, but I’m sure Apple is aware of the iPad’s impediments and the good news is, they have the brain trust to eventually combat them. Maybe you shouldn’t go out and buy an iPad the first day they’re on sale, but a year from now, when the product is even better and even cheaper (hopefully), I gotta think it’ll have serious appeal.

Either way, I don’t have nearly enough words or editorial savvy to do the iPad the kind of justice that Apple’s iPad video tour does. So if you’re still skeptical about the product, or just want to get your Apple propaganda straight from the source, I cannot recommend this video enough.

As for how the iPad will ultimately impact the market, ne the world? That’s a wait and see. All I’m saying is don’t let the price tag (or the product name) deceive you into thinking this won’t be a fantastic product. The internet is full of haters. But all the haters in the wide world of web can’t prevent a product from being successful.

Oh, and if you’re worried about how to hold the iPad, please. That’s about a good of a reason to be skeptical as what kind of jeans Steve Jobs wore to the announcement.