News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch has announced a new plan to launch a national U.S. digital newspaper, which will be made available exclusively on mobile phones and tablet computers, such as the iPad, the Los Angeles Times reported today.

No launch date has been set, but people familiar with the situation said it is likely to be unveiled before the end of the year. The new digital newspaper would directly compete with USA Today and The New York Times, offering general news and information through short stories that can be consumed quickly.

"We'll have young people reading newspapers," the News Corp. chief executive said during the company's earnings call Aug. 4, the Times quotes. "It's a real game-changer in the presentation of news."

The Atlantic's Derek Thompson pointed out today that the question to ask in this case is: what value would News Corp. derive from another digital publication?

"I have to say, I don't get it. Newspapers for mobile devices already exist. There's one called 'The New York Times,' and another called 'Washington Post,' and another called 'Wall Street Journal,' which I'm sure News Corp knows about, seeing as how they own it. All of those newspapers have apps for smart phones and smart pads that are quite good already. What value would another newspaper add?" he writes.

Mediabistro's Mike Taylor notes that the digital newspaper would aim to net more general readers than News Corp.'s business newspaper the Wall Street Journal, which may be a reason for the new title. However, the WSJ "has broadened its focus beyond business by launching a New York metro section and expanding its lifestyle offerings."