Is Apple developing a games console to rival PS3, Xbox, and Wii?
There is increasing evidence that Apple could be about to venture into another new territory, that of games console manufacturing. With three current-gen home consoles seemingly appealing to every type of gamer, could there be a place for Apple at this party?
Another day, another rumor about Apple buying a company or trying to move into a new market. And gaming is the latest in this speculation merry-go-round. Hot on the heels of rumors about Apple looking to buy social network of the moment Twitter and proposing a takeover of Electronic Arts, comes news that Apple could be about to start work on a games console to rival the PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii, although their next-gen equivalents would be closer to the mark.
Apple isn’t, of course, a complete newcomer to the market. Its iPhone and iPod Touch devices can play games, which are sold via the iTunes App Store. Every one sold nets Apple a share of the revenue, and with games some of the biggest sellers on the service, it would seem obvious for Apple to have seen the potential and made moves to have a bigger interest in the market.
There is some clear evidence, compiled by BNET, to suggest Apple is developing a games console.
The company recently acquired Richard Teversham from Microsoft. His last job? Director of strategy for Xbox in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. This hiring was on top of a number of others, including the man who created the CPU for Nintendo’s GameCube.
Then there are a number of patent applications recently filed by Apple which all overlap to suggest work is being done on a joint media and gaming device. This could be a handheld device similar to the iPod Touch or it could be a unit designed for use in the home.
I personally am not too bothered whether Apple makes a games console or not, mainly because I can’t stand the company and would have little interest in buying the device. Unless it was some mindbogglingly brilliant piece of equipment which offered something new and innovative in the sector. Which is unlikely.
I can, however, make some confident predictions about what an Apple games console would be like. Firstly, it would be expensive because Apple doesn’t like appealing to the unwashed amongst us. It would also likely be white because, well, black is so old-fashioned I guess. And third, it would undoubtedly have an ‘i’ in front of its name. The iConsole, iPlay, or iGame would all be obvious choices.
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27 Responses to “Is Apple developing a games console to rival PS3, Xbox, and Wii?”
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May 11th, 2009
Lmfao Apple this is the wrong business for you. Microsoft and Sony will buried Apple alive if it enters the big gaming league. This it will stay a rumor there’s no way Apple can compete they have nothing plus the iPhone as a phone is great as a music player too the rest no. This world of gaming is already taken. EA will never be sold to anyone. iGay iSuck iStink iFail iStupid iLoss
May 11th, 2009
iVan
May 11th, 2009
^
LMFAO! Good one Harry, you set yourself up good for that one Ivan!
May 11th, 2009
Not all that new territory, they had the Apple Bandai Pippin in the 90’s.
May 11th, 2009
I agree..the history of gaming has shown the industry can usually only support 2-3 competing consoles: Nintendo/Sega Master System, Genesis/SNES, Saturn/PS1/N64, Dreamcast/PS2/Gamecube, Gamecube/PS2/Xbox
And although i question the writer of this topic’s credibility on Apple products on a whole, i do agree that Apple, is a bit on the pricey side…but then again, isn’t that what Sony was known for? Quality, Expensive TVs…with great marketing??
Or what Microsoft is known for? Windows, priced at like $300-$400…with great marketing….
Look at them now? Sony redefined gaming with each iteration of the Playstation, and Microsoft has redefined console online multiplayer…
May 11th, 2009
Harry stole my joke…
-Arvis
May 11th, 2009
Do you guys remember Apple did try to break into the console business once already? Price was actually the main reason it failed. It was released at $599 in 1995…
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandai_Pippin
Given how successful the iphone is as a gaming platform, I think there’s probably a good chance they’ll try to break into the console market. I wasn’t aware of all of the evidence the article points to. I’m don’t think it would happen, but they would be in a pretty good position as a new console if they managed to buy out EA.
May 11th, 2009
maybe its a full on portalable…
May 11th, 2009
I love my IPod touch and wish it had a stick and buttons.
I hate using the screen for controls.
That said, I stopped using my DS lite since I got the touch.
May 11th, 2009
“Price was actually the main reason it failed. It was released at $599…”
ah… mm… no, I won’t go there
May 12th, 2009
It was released with no games too
May 12th, 2009
An apple console can’t possibly release at less than 700… purely because it is apple, and there are legions of simple minded sheeple that have no problem paying a premium for a mac. Lowest common denominator strategies work in all fields, from pricing to a made-for-retards starting point, it will probably be effective and sell to a niche market. Which is all it will need, as it would be guaranteed to have a profit margin at launch(as opposed to the 360/PS3 way of selling at a loss) and probably a decent margin at that.
If it were to ever actually exist, I predict a standard PC quad core architecture (intel graphics non discrete, ddr4 equivelant memory), BD or HVD drive, Wii-mote like controller/mouse alongside a matching Keyboard, and fully functional browser/video editor/photo editor and album creator. It will come with every peripheral needed to utilize it, aside from a display device (headset and webcam etc).
It will launch at 700+, and stay high for the duration of its production (6 years), with perhaps a small cut a few years in to 600ish. Apple never takes a straight loss on any product it sells. There is a reason that they sit on 30billion in liquid assets (cash).
As a directed niche market product, that will probably share software compatability to a certain degree with mac desk and laptops, Apple will be able to maintain their usual smug arrogance, because they wont need mass appeal to continue the product (sharing an install base with other apple products will guarantee software developers interest and investment).
Such a move could be seen as Apples trojan horse into the gaming market. Some say PC gaming is dead or dieing due to piracy, but Apple die hards are fairly loyal to proper purchasing of their computer software.
May 12th, 2009
Oops, a few bubbles hit the brain while I was typing that. I meant to say that I don’t really think this will happen before the economy is properly upswinging again, which could be some time. Accounting for the probably inflation occurring between now and then, the prices could be higher, but in the end, I think it will just plain be expensive.
And in case I didn’t make it clear, I would be all for Apple making a console. Boom or bust, it would be great for the computer enthusiasts and gamers alike.
May 12th, 2009
“purely because it is” Xxxxxxxxxxx, “and there are legions of simple minded sheeple that have no problem paying a premium for a” Xxxxxxxxxxx. “Lowest common denominator strategies work in all fields, from pricing to a made-for-retards starting point, it will probably be effective and sell to a niche market.”
ah… mmm… nope, I won’t do it.
May 12th, 2009
I would have to guess that Apple has learned from the Pippin and would try to sell the console at a more competitive price. Weather you love or hate Apple, you can’t deny that the company has created some innovative products over the years.
If it’s reasonable priced, offers some new innovative multimedia functions, and most importantly has good games – I would be interested.
May 12th, 2009
Damn… I wish there was an edit feature for posts, yes I am illiterate.
May 12th, 2009
Baranbe, i agree, edit feature would be most awesome hehe
CarlB…nope, i won’t do it neither !
May 12th, 2009
I could just see it now. Gabe complaining that Apple didn’t use Microsoft’s architecture and calling it a complete waste of time.
May 12th, 2009
To phranctoast: yeah, I know. Gabe is such a butthead.
He never worked on a real Console before, (PS2, N64, GBA, NES, Saturn) and has no idea how easy he has it with the PS3. The PS3 can do C and C++ programming languages; it has a Graphics card like any other PC; the core of the Cell can be programmed like a PC; the only real problem is the Cell’s SPUs, and small 256 RAM.
May 12th, 2009
no Zoar, he is a lazy fatass, sadly, Valve’s image for me is tarnished knowing he is behind the games…or trying to eat them…
All jokes aside, yeah i agree, he is a butthead…but then, i m Sony’s camp and am used to butthead loudmouths spewing non-sense….
May 13th, 2009
Valve = overrated.
May 13th, 2009
Thanks for the link to my article. I don’t think that Apple is headed to a stationary console. The patents made it pretty clear that it was thinking mobile, probably ihn some sort of melding of gaming with an iPhone/iPod. So figure that the cost might be on a level with the original iPhone, and the competition is more the DS than the PS3 or Xbox 360, only a DS with graphics that could compete more with regular consoles.
May 14th, 2009
Valve = fantastic games. Orange Box and L4D were awesome. Free DLC for L4D was nice too. Survivor mode is awesome, even though it’s hard to last longer than 2 minutes!
May 14th, 2009
I agree with Barnabe.
HL1 was amazing, but I found HL2 to be a massive letdown, maybe it just got delayed too long, maybe I’m just hard to please.
L4D was nice tho, kinda got bored of that one that, not enuff pew pew ray guns
May 14th, 2009
I hate Alyx Vance, she is such a huge Mary-Sue!
The story doesn’t make sense; the Combines are so weak; the death of Eli Vance was a contrivance; the driving was too long; the characters are 1 dimensional and were kind of creepy.
It’s nice to know that some people like here aren’t in love with everything Valve does.
May 14th, 2009
I hate Alyx Vance, she is such a huge Mary Sue!
The story doesn’t make sense; the Combines are so weak; the death of Eli Vance was a contrivance; the driving was too long; the characters are 1 dimensional and were kind of creepy.
It’s nice to know that some people here aren’t in love with everything Valve does.
May 20th, 2009
Apple entering the console market is always a possibility. With Sony bleeding money from the wound known as PS3, they could very well remove themselves from the hardware market in coming generations, leaving a gaping hole for Apple to fill.
I think it would be a wise move for Apple as they could capitalize on the synergy with the iphone and ipod, paving the way for a powerful and feature-rich multi media device.