With the new tablet device that is debuting Jan. 27, Steve Jobs is betting he can reshape businesses like textbooks, newspapers and television much the way his iPod revamped the music industry — and expand Apple’s influence and revenue as a content middleman.

According to sources, in developing the device, Apple focused on the role the gadget could play in homes and in classrooms; envisions that the tablet can be shared by multiple family members to read news and check email in homes; has experimented with the ability to leave virtual sticky notes on the device and for the gadget to automatically recognize individuals via a built-in camera; and has been talking with book and magazine publishers about porting their content to the device.