• The Wall Street Journal, Sunday, October 10, 2010 10:42 PM

Several major news organizations are lining up behind a new tablet device from Samsung Electronics Co. built on Google Inc. software, in order to broaden mobile readership beyond owners of Apple Inc. popular iPad. New York Times Co. and News Corp.'s Wall Street Journal will offer software applications for Samsung's Galaxy Tab, which goes on sale later this year, according to people familiar with the matter. Gannett Co.'s USA Today also is developing a software application.

The device is one of the most highly anticipated tablet launches since the iPad, in part because it is built on Google's Android operating system, which is expected to power a wave of new tablets. Publishers are hoping that the applications for the Galaxy can be easily adapted to other forthcoming Android devices. With a seven-inch screen, the Galaxy tablet is smaller than the iPad. Samsung has announced deals with Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel Corp., T-Mobile USA and AT&T Inc. to distribute it in the U.S. Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone PLC.

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