n an early morning memo on Thursday to all staff of Newsweek and its web companion, The Daily Beast, editor-in-chief Tina Brown announced that the last print edition of the 80-year-old magazine will be its Dec. 31 issue. In a move she called "a turn of the page," Brown said Newsweek will transition to an all-digital format early in 2013. The new publication will be renamed Newsweek Global and "will be a single, worldwide edition targeted for a highly mobile, opinion-leading audience who want to learn about world events in a sophisticated context," she wrote. "We are transitioning Newsweek, not saying goodbye to it." Brown added that "regrettably," a reduction in staff is likely as the company streamlines editorial and business operations in the U.S. and abroad. Some initial reactions from the Twittersphere:

First a bit of context from Poynter, the nonprofit school for journalism:

In the last 5 years, Newsweek's print circulation has dropped 51%: journ.us/V9A3sD Magazine's last issue will be Dec. 31, 2012

— Poynter (@Poynter) October 18, 2012

And from The Wall Street Journal:

Newsweek, the struggling magazine sold for $1 two years ago, will drop its print edition in 2013. on.wsj.com/RWCJJQ

— Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) October 18, 2012

The New York Daily News' Meena Hart Duerson: 

Newsweek nails why its announcement about ending the physical magazine hurts: It's "the romance of print" bit.ly/WDoehO

— meena hart duerson (@meenasaurus) October 18, 2012

Guardian reporter Richard Adams is less wistful:

@johngapper and in other news the Titanic is transitioning to an all-underwater format

— Richard Adams (@RichardA) October 18, 2012

National Review writer Jonah Goldberg:

So now that Newsweek is going all digital, will dentists' office of the future feature crumpled and torn iPads and kindles?

— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahNRO) October 18, 2012

Ad Age's Jason Del Rey:

With 1 big magazine brand making the leap to all-digital, will be interesting to see who now feels more comfortable doing same

— Jason Del Rey (@DelRey) October 18, 2012

Jillian C. York of the Electronic Frontier Foundation:

Newsweek goes all-digital, making it much easier to ignore. bit.ly/WDoehO"

— Jillian C. York (@jilliancyork) October 18, 2012

BuzzFeed's McKay Coppins:

Upshot of Newsweek's print edition dying: A lot of really talented people are about to start looking for work. Editors: Hire them.

— McKay Coppins (@mckaycoppins) October 18, 2012

And don't miss BuzzFeed's look back at 80 years of memorable Newsweek covers.