Tech News Geek

Several major publishers confirmed ongoing rumors Tuesday by announcing a partnership to develop an online “store” for digital publishing content. Condé Nast (Ars Technica’s parent company), Hearst, Meredith, News Corp., and Time Inc. are all involved in the project, aimed at bringing the traditional magazine experience to digital devices such as mobile phones, handhelds, and tablets. The venture does not yet have a name, but will eventually be open to all publications—not just those from the joint partners.

The first step will involve developing open standards for the participating publications—not just to address formatting issues, but also to make it easier to sell ads in the new format. According to the official announcement, the companies say that the goal is to offer a publishing platform that can be used on multiple devices while maintaining the “distinctive look and feel” of each publication.