The Daily Announces Launch Date: February 2nd

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Well folks, seems like the somewhat rocky start for the iPad-only publication The Daily is about to get its launch, and sooner than we might have expected. Current word says The Daily will go to e-press starting February 2nd, on the first anniversary of the iPad, no less.

Given the circumstances, one might be forgiven for looking askance at this newest development and saying either “Well, I’ll believe it when I see it” or “Oh, so that’s why they waited”, because it certainly does have a faint whiff of chicanery in there, but only a faint one, especially given that neither News Corp nor Apple was willing to comment officially on just what was holding up the works. Some reports had it pegged that the issue was with Apple, who at the time was working on a new subscription service that would have complemented the Apple’s release nicely. But now, looking at this it does kind of provide a little better insight into just why they delayed.

In fact, this one actually looks like the proper launch date–they’ve already scheduled a press event for 11 AM on February 2nd to announce the launch, with official word confirming the app itself would be available that same day. And for those hoping to see Steve Jobs and Rupert Murdoch on one stage, I hate to break it to you, but since Steve Jobs’ newest medical leave is still quite in force Jobs will be replaced by Eddy Cue, vice president of internet services for Apple.

Needless to say lots of media types out there are excited about this, because if it does any kind of well it may be the paradigm shift of choice from print media to electronic media. And in an era with newsprint and similar costs climbing, getting out of print and onto the web is looking like a better business move every day.