It's unclear what exactly the role will entail, but it suggests Apple has bigger ambitions of some kind for its News app on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Apple News is **t a firsthand source of news, so Kern's role could be at least partially related to curation of other News sources. In February, Apple executive Eddy Cuesaid the company wants to "vet and make sure that the News providers" in Apple News are "legitimate," in an effort to cut down on "clickbait."
Apple News gathers stories from several leading News sources and displays them all in one place. The app launched on iOS 9 in the United States, and it has since expanded to Australia and the United Kingdom. The app was redesigned for iOS 10 with a bolder, simpler interface that puts content front and center.