Apple Keeping Pre-Release iPads Under Close Watch [Rupert Murdoch Confirms WSJ iPad App, Says Pre-Release iPad Is "Under Padlock"]

Tweet

The Wall Street Journal is one of the most important financial newspapers in the world, and likewise, they’re one of the few that can afford to get away with charging for their website. News Corp magnate Rupert Murdoch revealed that the WSJ will be releasing an iPad app (a modified version of their popular iPhone app) and said some interesting things about the iPad.

Rumors have been circulating that Steve Jobs made a world tour of notable print publications a week or so again in New York, apparently on some sort of iPad promotion tour. The Wall Street Journal was allegedly one of these publications that he visited.

During a Q&A following Murdoch’s announcement that the Wall Street Journal would now feature a “Metro” section that would cover New York local news, he was asked about the iPad and confirmed the existence of the WSJ app. He went on to say that the Wall Street Journal (a major newspaper) was only granted one pre-release iPad for development of the app.

Murdoch said that the iPad was “under padlock and key” and the key is “turned by Apple every night.” So, iPad waiters can rest easy knowing that the WSJ developers aren’t getting to take home the iPad at night.

Speculation for the improved iPad WSJ app has it featuring a higher resolution and inline video. Murdoch said that the WSJ app will be coming to five other devices by the end of the year, including Nook and Kindle.