Many have defined the problem — people are abandoning old media for new in droves — but nobody has come remotely close to figuring out the formula to monetize this audience in a way that ensures the range and level of news and periodical content and offers the rich experience advertisers will pay a premium to be part of.

Pulling it off would take characteristic Apple hardware/software flair — and a bit of uncharacteristic magnanimity. But the “X” factor is Jobs himself. Whatever you believe about his health, Jobs will not live forever. We’re guessing that he, like all high achievers, believes that yesterday’s accomplishments, however fantastic, are also yesterday’s news. If he is looking for One Last Thing, saving journalism would be the Holy Grail. –John C. Abell, Wired