Slowly, but surely, the contours of the publishing industry’s digital future are coming into relief.

Giant magazine publisher Hearst has a struck a deal with Apple that will allow readers to subscribe to various Hearst magazine iPad applications. With the arrangement, whose terms were not disclosed, Hearst becomes the first major publisher to begin selling its iPad app titles through Apple’s new digital-subscription system.

Beginning with the July editions of Hearst titles such as Popular Mechanics, Esquire and O, The Oprah Magazine, readers will have the option of paying $1.99 a month or...

Slowly, but surely, the contours of the publishing industry’s digital future are coming into relief.

Giant magazine publisher Hearst has a struck a deal with Apple that will allow readers to subscribe to various Hearst magazine iPad applications. With the arrangement, whose terms were not disclosed, Hearst becomes the first major publisher to begin selling its iPad app titles through Apple’s new digital-subscription system.

Beginning with the July editions of Hearst titles such as Popular Mechanics, Esquire and O, The Oprah Magazine, readers will have the option of paying $1.99 a month or...