Yahoo to open tablet newsstand in bid for more ads

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Yahoo Inc. is culling material from its website to create a mix of digital publications for computer tablets and other mobile devices, in its latest attempt to lure advertisers away from print and broadcast media.

The service, called Livestand, also will be open to other publishers looking for a way to connect with the tens of millions who are expected to own tablets such as Apple Inc.'s iPad by the end of this year. Livestand also will be available on smart phones.

Readers will be able to pick from a frequently updated assortment of content including news, sports, finance and other topics. Most of the content will be free, although Yahoo plans to allow publishers to sell subscriptions, too.

Although Yahoo previewed Livestand for reporters today, it's not available yet. Yahoo expects Livestand to debut by the end of June.

The "digital newsstand" is the latest bet that touch-screen tablets will deliver a new vein of revenue for publishers and other ad-driven businesses such as Yahoo.