Can the Web save newspapers?

The International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this month was abuzz with talk of touch-screen tablet computers that are slim and light enough to function as 21st-century replacements for newsprint. And this week came reports that Apple Inc. may be working with The New York Times on a new way to deliver and charge for online content, possibly based on the popular iTunes model used to sell digital music.

The Times' debt-laden parent company wouldn't confirm links with Apple, but did say it intends to introduce a "paywall" in January 2011 that will allow it to charge online readers after they've read a certain number of free articles in a month. All eyes will be on Apple next week as it is expected to launch its highly anticipated tablet computer, unofficially dubbed the iSlate.

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