We have heard rumours that Apple is working closely with The New York Times to create special and interesting content for the Tablet. If it is what many, myself included, are imagining, then these developments could potentially render newspapers obsolete and unappealing.

Let me elaborate. What the Tablet potentially represents is the future of streaming media. Imagine a sports page where you can touch any result to see highlights, or see a set of scores in progress. You could simply touch the game you’re interested in and have an option to see it streaming live, for a fee of course.

Since 2001, when Apple released the first iPod, it was clear that they were more intent on creating great mediums and interfaces, mechanisms that influenced new and unique software developments, mediums that rendered new experiences possible; ambitious mediums. Think if you will for a moment about the iPod touch and the iPhone; both devices have spawned a new host of software that takes advantage of multi-touch interface. Then painted a picture of the future where technology would allow for such simplified and streamlined interfaces that even a child could understand them.

This is surely a step in the right direction; ways of simplifying tech to the point of utter intuition. Apple’s focus seems to be this; taking the available technology and packaging it for convenience, functionality and appeal. The other obvious effect of products that deliver appealing interfaces is that it is easier to monetize media offered on these products. The Tablet is going to monetize media by providing something that can’t be otherwise experienced on a mobile device, that seems to be a given.

Others have speculated as to what the tablet represents, and several sources seem to agree that a medium that can render the news relevant and worthy of purchasing again is precisely what the Tablet is trying to accomplish. The state of the newspaper industry is evident, as are user’s changing habits. Studies have shown people are using e-readers, are reading headlines more and more and reading articles less and less.

The Tablet could end up being the much needed shot in the arm that the publishing industry is in need of.

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