Google prepping its own digital newsstand for Android to rival Apple

Apple's deals with newspaper and magazine publishers for the iPad are increasingly facing difficulties, due to the fact that publishers want more information about users, and Apple wants to keep it for themselves. Google plans to step in and fill the void in the embattled publishing companies' souls with a more generous revenue split than Cupertino's 70/30, and more access to subscribers' profiles, thanks to the vast database of data it piles up from people using the search giant's services.

This personal data will, of course, be used for better content targeting, and Apple is reportedly also looking at adding the option for users who agree for their info to be used in such a way. Publishing houses are not very fond of the voluntary idea, so Google's digital newsstand for Android might hold more water with them. Time Warner, Conde Nast and Hearst are the rumored media outlets for now, but Google is neither confirming, nor denying this next step in its plot to rule the digital world through Android.

source: WSJ