However, it seems to me the popularity of social networks has turned more consumers into de facto producers. Even if they don’t write original articles, they curate others’ works via Facebook and Twitter. They create (or at least contribute) to comment streams. And they share photos and videos.

Will de facto producers buy into the iPad? Why not, given the device’s extreme coolness factor. And it will certainly change the way news sites are designed.

But I still contend that the iPad will NOT save the integrity of journalism. And the existence of de facto producers places this technology behind the curve in terms of content distribution and consumption.

Of course, the iPad will still succeed as a consumer product. And publishers’ heads will remain planted firmly up their asses until they shake their infatuation with each new toy.