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A USPTO filing shows Apple may consider its own game console

Gaming is a big business with some game titles bringing in more money than Hollywood’s blockbuster movies. Traditionally the gaming market is dominated by console gaming systems from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo. However, that could be changing.

An application filed by Apple with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) amends Apple’s trademark to cover gaming systems. The application is very short on information and merely adds a list of new items to the trademark coverage.

The application adds the following to the trademark:

Toys, games and playthings, namely, hand-held units for playing electronic games; hand-held units for playing video games; stand alone video game machines; electronic games other than those adapted for use with television receivers only; LCD game machines; electronic educational game machines; toys, namely battery-powered computer games

That could mean that in the future we could be adding an Apple video game console to the list of game consoles around. From the sounds of the application we could also see a portable game system from Apple as well.

The amended application was filed on February 8, 2008 by Apple; an attorney has not yet been assigned to the case. Other than the simple paragraph of new items Apple might want to sell in the future, no other information is available at this time.

Apple declined to comment on the application, but representatives at the company exhibited enthusiasm regarding the trademark application. 

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More Proprietary...
By SirLucius on 2/11/08, Rating: 0
RE: More Proprietary...
By pomaikai on 2/11/2008 11:45:41 AM , Rating: 2
My thought is adding gaming functionality to the ipod and itouch. Or developing a device to compete with nintendo DS and PSP.


RE: More Proprietary...
By masher2 (blog) on 2/11/2008 11:50:47 AM , Rating: 2
Agreed; I think that's the most logical assumption


RE: More Proprietary...
By crystal clear on 2/12/2008 6:17:41 AM , Rating: 2
If you read the text of the patent application,it covers all types/form of gaming & gaming machines.

Its interesting to note they specify a stand alone video game machines.


RE: More Proprietary...
By daftrok on 2/11/2008 12:23:54 PM , Rating: 2
I personally think they should have more games that are on the PC available on the Mac. They're jumping to step 5 when they should be jumping to step 2.


RE: More Proprietary...
By omnicronx on 2/11/2008 1:04:45 PM , Rating: 2
Its up to the third parties to make games available to mac. Now that all macs run on Intel, there should be much less of a problem porting games over. Only problem is, there is not a huge market for games on the Mac. Proprietary hardware is not exactly what i would call hardcore gamer friendly.


RE: More Proprietary...
By tallcool1 on 2/11/2008 1:28:16 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Proprietary hardware is not exactly what i would call hardcore gamer friendly.
WHAT!?!?
Gaming consoles (360, PS3, Wii) are already "proprietary hardware"!


RE: More Proprietary...
By omnicronx on 2/11/2008 1:38:38 PM , Rating: 2
If you read more than the last sentence of my post, then maybe you would know I was talking about PC and Mac, not consoles. Many many gamers like to choose their hardware, like the ability to upgrade, and do so on an ongoing basis. It's pretty hard to do with with proprietary hardware.

The programming of games, would be easier on proprietary hardware if this is what you are getting at( such as the current gaming consoles). If PC gamers wanted to be restricted to certain hardware, they would surely just buy a console, that is what i was getting at..


RE: More Proprietary...
By Tsuwamono on 2/11/2008 3:25:23 PM , Rating: 2
added to the fact that HARDCORE gamers are PC gamers. Consoles are for children or people who are too lazy to build proper PCs so they go out and buy Consoles so they only need to spend 500$ every 4 years where as hardcore gamers spend probably AVERAGED OUT about 1000$ per year keeping their system up and running to highest specs


RE: More Proprietary...
By pomaikai on 2/11/08, Rating: 0
RE: More Proprietary...
By chick0n on 2/11/08, Rating: -1
RE: More Proprietary...
By Farfignewton on 2/11/2008 11:57:29 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Consoles are for children or people who are too lazy to build proper PCs...


As a pc and console gamer, I'm always amused to see someone put forth the ludicrous notion that one or the other is intrinsically superior. I will not say "I guess they can't afford to do both on their allowance." Nope... Not gonna say it...Oops. My bad.

None of us playing video games are in a position to be throwing stones. Except maybe at the wii guys. ;)


RE: More Proprietary...
By vortex222 on 2/11/2008 6:27:47 PM , Rating: 3
Proprietary hardware that is ment for games...

The proprietary hardware in Mac's are meant for making apple money.


RE: More Proprietary...
By psychobriggsy on 2/11/2008 1:06:30 PM , Rating: 2
But hasn't the market for PC games collapsed? If the PC market is 10% of the overall market, then only the biggest games are ever going to be released on a computer with 1% of the market.

Apple is far better off starting off with the iPod style games and DS style games first. Far bigger market for these casual games.

They don't have the products currently to have decent controllers for more standard fare - the AppleTV (more powerful than the Wii) doesn't have Bluetooth so controllers are a no-no there (IR is not an option).


RE: More Proprietary...
By DM0407 on 2/11/2008 3:40:18 PM , Rating: 2
This system will drop in price 4 times before its first week of sales.


RE: More Proprietary...
By iFX on 2/11/2008 11:49:38 AM , Rating: 3
So how would an Apple console be more proprietary than an Xbox or a Playstation. The last time I checked, you couldn't take hardware from an Xbox, put it in a Playstation and play a Dreamcast game.


RE: More Proprietary...
By killerroach on 2/11/2008 11:59:07 AM , Rating: 2
You could require Apple brand peripherals, or only allow media playback of content from the iTMS, or require it be bought from an Apple Store... oh, there's ways...


RE: More Proprietary...
By DASQ on 2/11/2008 2:10:13 PM , Rating: 3
If there is a single company on Earth that could create new ways to redefine "proprietary", it would be Apple.


RE: More Proprietary...
By SirLucius on 2/11/2008 12:37:55 PM , Rating: 2
I was making a joke about how Apple products tend to be more closed off than others. I know consoles are, by nature, proprietary as hell. If Apple were to jump into the console business I'm sure theirs would be no different.


RE: More Proprietary...
By JimmyC on 2/14/2008 10:58:32 PM , Rating: 2
You know, I bet you could take a hard drive from a 360, bust open the case, and use it in a PS3, but I think you'd need a PATA to SATA adapter. Then you might be able to install linux and run some type of dreamcast emulator. Oh the modding madness!!! Book it!


RE: More Proprietary...
By TomZ on 2/11/2008 11:49:40 AM , Rating: 2
On the other hand, too many game platforms in the market is not a good thing because game publishers have to spend more R&D supporting more platforms, instead of designing more and better games. There are already enough viable platforms in the market to assure competition.


RE: More Proprietary...
By AlphaVirus on 2/11/2008 12:01:10 PM , Rating: 2
I dont think you have to worry about that Tom, it is similar to PC vs Mac. Developers usually just support the more popular platform and if Apple does decide to jump in the pool it will have less than 1% so nobody will bother with developing for it.


RE: More Proprietary...
By borismkv on 2/11/2008 12:24:34 PM , Rating: 2
Sooo...basically it'll be a Mac, then.

Seriously, though. Apple already has a major handicap in the gaming industry. The vast *vast* majority of people who buy Apple computers aren't gamers, and a pretty good majority of gamers think Apples are good boat anchors at best.

I can see them adapting the iTunes sales system for gaming, and I'm betting whatever system they come up with would make heavy heavy use of the downloadable content system. More than likely you wouldn't be able to buy games from anything other than iTunes or something similar. We all know how Apple likes keeping everything in-house, you know.


RE: More Proprietary...
By FITCamaro on 2/11/2008 12:57:35 PM , Rating: 2
My thoughts exactly.


RE: More Proprietary...
By DASQ on 2/11/2008 2:12:19 PM , Rating: 2
Agreed. I'd much rather not see the developers spread thinner than they already are.


RE: More Proprietary...
By wien on 2/11/2008 3:19:56 PM , Rating: 2
If only there was a common platform they could all gather around making development easier. They could call it a Personal Console or something...


RE: More Proprietary...
By pomaikai on 2/11/2008 4:21:40 PM , Rating: 3
Or maybe PC for short. Then they could design games that arent really geared for a certain configuration but make it more generic. Then they can create like low/medium/high settings so people who pay more for there Personal Console or PC could have better graphics. I know they wont have the time to test it on all configurations so you might have to play with setting or look for patches to get it to work.

I think your on to something.


By Chris Peredun on 2/11/2008 11:57:19 AM , Rating: 4
For those who missed out on it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Pippin




By AlphaVirus on 2/11/2008 12:05:56 PM , Rating: 4
It says it sold 42,000 units within 2 years...I didnt know they had that many employees. Lol that thing is fugly and they named the controller "Applejack".


By Alphafox78 on 2/11/2008 12:38:49 PM , Rating: 2
Oh snap! Where can I get a pipin!!


By pomaikai on 2/11/2008 12:58:09 PM , Rating: 3
Should have named it PimPin with an iJack controller.


By omnicronx on 2/11/2008 1:00:58 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Let's hope it does better than the first incarnation.
I would hope so, according to the wiki, it made the list of
"25 Worst Tech Products of all Time".

I am surprised apple would even waste paper even trying this, there is no room for another console that does the same thing, yet costs a bunch more.

I also find it funny that apple has switched its computer hardware over to x86, only to have both the ps3 and the 360 run on PPC. I wonder if apple played this right 10 years ago, how things could have ended up ;)


By mmntech on 2/11/2008 1:39:39 PM , Rating: 2
The Pippin itself was a little ahead of its time considering the PSX, PS3, and Xbox 360. Consider that it was one of the first console to offer real media and internet capability. It even had a wireless controller. (Yes, I know of Atari's wireless controller but it never caught on big in later generations until recently.) It was vastly under powered though for 1996 at 66mhz when processors were pushing 100mhz. Even 10mhz more was a big performance leap back then.

I don't really think it's a good idea for Apple to go into gaming again. I think the past has shown that there really isn't room in the market for more than three consoles, and even that number is pushing it. Maybe there's room for a mobile device if Apple could make something that could compete with the PSP.


1 button controller?
By kattanna on 2/11/2008 11:51:07 AM , Rating: 3
so will the unit come with a 1 button controller like their computers?

honestly, i dont see them doing it, or doing it well enough to work. Following their track record with hardware, if the console costs $400 to make, apple will then sell it for $900 to the end user. I dont think apple could stomach, or has really deep enough pockets, to sell a hardware item at a loss for long periods of time. Which is what it takes to bring consoles out into the market.




RE: 1 button controller?
By 67STANG on 2/11/2008 1:10:18 PM , Rating: 2
Don't be surprised. Apple is making mp3 players, phones, on demand movie devices... Why would they let the console market get away? The typical Apple fan is very devout, and this could make for a suprisingingly successful console for Apple.

After all, Apple doesn't neccessarily have to have the best product, or even a good product... they're consumer base just has to buy it.. it's worked for them in the past and present...


RE: 1 button controller?
By omnicronx on 2/11/2008 1:41:45 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
After all, Apple doesn't neccessarily have to have the best product, or even a good product... they're consumer base just has to buy it.. it's worked for them in the past and present...
I beg to differ, not only would they have to have a good product, but they would have to price it the same or cheaper than the current console players. A console is not a cellphone, as the wii and the 360 prove, price per performance is what matters, not a shiny and sleek black case packed with performance... just ask sony..


RE: 1 button controller?
By 67STANG on 2/11/2008 3:42:39 PM , Rating: 2
really? How do you account for all of the people who are buying MacBook Air right now? Also, I don't think you could characterize the PS3 as a failure either... Imagine if Sony had the hardcore fanbase like Apple does...


By TerranMagistrate on 2/11/2008 1:10:36 PM , Rating: 2
In other words, Apple will be wasting some serious money for they will fail miserably. Quote me on this.




By themadmilkman on 2/11/2008 2:01:47 PM , Rating: 2
OR it's simply in preparation for the release of the iPhone SDK, and the games that will undoubtedly follow. It sounds much more like a legal precaution than anything else.


By Wightout on 2/11/2008 4:26:26 PM , Rating: 2
I have to agree with this idea.

From what I have seen with what some people are putting out on unlocked iphones gaming on the touch or the phone will rather unique.

I saw this rather cool one that turned the iphone into a guitar. you hold the frets and strum it. I know you cant play the thing with any sort of efficiency, but if something so simple can be made on this thing on a hack imagine what else will soon come.

If you think about it, the touch is a first step to a more open mobile gaming platform.


Can't Apple just stay out of my life?
By Domicinator on 2/11/2008 3:42:00 PM , Rating: 3
My god, the last thing I need is Apple making a game console too. I already have to deal with snotty Mac users who always seem to get this sympathetic look in their eye when they discover that I use a PC.....it's almost like they pity me because they're in on this big secret that I couldn't possibly understand. I've met three people in the last year who think it's easier to burn a CD on a Mac, as if drag and drop is harder to do on a PC.

Then you have iPods and iPhones. I lump those together. One is an overpriced MP3 player and one is an overpriced phone. Now they are both extensions of each other. I digress. I'm sick of people who don't even realize there are better alternatives out there for media players and phones and I get that same look of pity from them when I tell them that I can do all that stuff on my LG Chocolate.

So now consoles? Is nothing sacred? How are owners of Apple consoles going to be able to go out in public and try to impress everybody if they're playing a console? Most people I see at Starbucks are trying to look busy on their MacBooks while at the same time making sure the Apple logo is in plain view for everyone to see. This just isn't possible in a coffee shop with a full blown gaming console. I can see a handheld unit working well in this capacity however.

Maybe in the end, Apple will just do what they always do. They'll put an underpowered product out on the market, strip it of important features, charge extra for those features to be added back in, and to justify all of this in the end, they will say that most users don't need those features anyway. But I have a feeling that if Apple ever does follow through with a console, I'll get the same snotty looks from people when they find out I game on my Xbox 360 and my PC, not the iGame.




By AlphaVirus on 2/11/2008 5:15:08 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
Maybe in the end, Apple will just do what they always do. They'll put an underpowered product out on the market, strip it of important features, charge extra for those features to be added back in, and to justify all of this in the end, they will say that most users don't need those features anyway.

They will give you the console with 1 usb port for $500 and offer you a "Super-mega-hyper-dive" for $200 and for $75 more you can even get a iPodtroller that can be used as an ipod or controller. But dont forget to upgrade the 10to 30GB for $400 because all those games from itunes gotta fit somewhere.


I can think of nothing worse...
By Proteusza on 2/11/2008 11:57:37 AM , Rating: 3
The ultimate Home Accessory - you need to buy one to show your friends that you are just as hip as they are. Remember, its either Apple or nothing. Console retails for $599. Hard drive sold separately - $299 for 20GB.

Apple has a way of marketing tech that people dont need, implemented worse than their competitors, for more money than the competition, while being aggresively anti 3rd party development, and people love them for it.




By AlphaVirus on 2/11/2008 12:22:08 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
The ultimate Home Accessory - you need to buy one to show your friends that you are just as hip as they are. Remember, its either Apple or nothing. Console retails for $599. Hard drive sold separately - $299 for 20GB.

You must be Apple's PR manager.


Devil's Advocate
By Flunk on 2/11/2008 12:46:37 PM , Rating: 2
Perhaps they simply want to cover the trademark so that no one else releases an "Apple" game system and dilutes their trademark. This doesn't mean they actually will be selling one.




RE: Devil's Advocate
By FITCamaro on 2/11/2008 12:56:14 PM , Rating: 3
We can only hope. The last thing gaming needs is Apple to join the party.

"iGame. You don't play it. It plays you. Or else."


Apple video games awesome
By tastyratz on 2/11/2008 11:49:42 AM , Rating: 2
Apple is considering a video game console. Thats a laugh. It took them HOW long to realize a mouse needs more than 1 f$%#ing button? It always felt like playing jeopardy. I cant wait to see the controller. Maybe it would be like the Air - for display purposes only.




RE: Apple video games awesome
By BruceLeet on 2/11/2008 2:10:20 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
It took then HOW long to realize a mouse needs more than 1 f$%#icking button?


You just made me spit my drink on my keyboard nice going, I know some people say that as an expression but you really did...nice going.


Just announced...
By 67STANG on 2/11/2008 12:38:52 PM , Rating: 2
Apple debuts the iBox 360!

Feature list:
No internal cd-rom, but supports external usb cd-rom.
Cost is only 2.5x higher than any other gaming system.
Only sold to AT&T wireless subscribers.
Will be white and/or silver in color.
You have to download your games iGames.
Sleek and slender interface (power button located underneath the unit)

Games list:
Steve Jobs the Hedgehog
Duck Hunt (minus the ducks) (and the gun)
Lemmings 2008




Could be possible..
By HighWing on 2/11/08, Rating: 0
"Intel is investing heavily (think gazillions of dollars and bazillions of engineering man hours) in resources to create an Intel host controllers spec in order to speed time to market of the USB 3.0 technology." -- Intel blogger Nick Knupffer









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