An electronic, handheld reading device, such as Amazon's Kindle, has yet to reach critical mass among consumers. But media companies, such as Hearst and News Corp., are betting that such a concept can be a widespread and profitable channel for content delivery.
Fortune reported in February that Hearst, publisher of magazines ranging from Esquire to Redbook and newspapers including the now online-only Seattle Post-Intelligencer, is developing a large-screen e-reader for debut this year. Media conglomerate News Corp., owner of newspapers ...