The latest speculation surrounding Apple is that the company is soon coming out with a handheld gaming device. Apple’s rumored portable game device is said to be a competitor of Nintendo DS and Sony PSP.
Reportedly, Apple has filed an application to cover handheld units for playing electronic games.
Apple currently sells games for its iPods after signing deals with game developing companies such as EA, PopCap and Namco. Besides that, the gaming industry would be totally new to the iPod manufacturer.
However, Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter told GamesIndustry.biz, “I think that Apple will succeed in making mobile phone games a bit more accessible and fun, but cannot conceive of their gaining significant share of the handheld market. The iPhone is unlikely to ever compete effectively, as it is unlikely to attract the level of third-party developer support afforded the DS.”
That means industry experts are skeptical about Apple’s chances of entering the gaming industry.
I would buy an Apple handheld before I would buy another Sony one.
Nintendo still holds a corner on this market, however, and I will buy their systems no matter who else is in the marketplace.