Amazon's electronic reader may aid newspapers

The iPod stemmed losses in the music industry. The Kindle gave beleaguered book publishers a reason for optimism.

Now the recession-ravaged newspaper and magazine industries are hoping for their own knight in shining digital armor, in the form of portable reading devices with big screens.

Kindle maker Amazon.com appears to be first in line to aid old-media companies. As early as this week, say people briefed on the online retailer's plans, Amazon will introduce a larger version of its Kindle wireless device tailored to display newspapers, magazines and perhaps textbooks.

An Amazon spokesman would not comment, but some news organizations, including The New York Times, are expected to be involved, according to people briefed on the plans.

Times spokeswoman Catherine J. Mathis said she could not comment on its relationship with Amazon.

Amazon's current Kindle, with a 6-inch screen, offers subscriptions to more than 58 newspapers and magazines. Subscribers get updates once a day over a cellular network.