Several media sources related to gaming, including IGN and Kotaku, have received invitations to Apple's media event scheduled for next week. According to IGN, representatives of several game makers have also been invited to the event. While the invitations suggest that gaming may be at least something of a focus at the event, it remains unclear it might be related to Apple's tablet device or simply iPhone OS 4.0, both of which are rumored to be topics of conversation.
Consider these few additional tantalizing hints about the event, though. Myself and another iPhone games writer received invites for this event today, as did contacts at a handful of iPhone game makers. Why would Apple want us collected at this event if there was not some game-related news on the horizon?
While gaming offerings for the tablet would certainly not be a surprise, the question remains whether Apple could look to position the tablet as a gaming device. Although the device's large screen could offer some distinct advantages over traditional handheld gaming systems and the company's own iPhone and iPod touch as has been demonstrated in the past, its expected relatively high price would likely make it difficult to position the tablet solely for gaming.
iPhone Gaming (Sway and TouchGrind) on Large Multi-Touch Table: Illusion Labs
On the other hand, if iPhone OS 4.0 is in fact scheduled for an introduction at the event, the presence of gaming industry representatives may be less of a surprise. Gaming has played an important role in the success of the iPhone and iPod touch, and demonstrations from game developers have figured prominently in many of Apple's iPhone OS presentations. So while gaming appears to have garnered a greater importance to Apple when drawing up its guest list this time around, we still must wait until next week to discover whether Apple has some major gaming news up its sleeve or if it is simply acknowledging the important role gaming already plays in the iPhone ecosystem.
Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by Juli Clover
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
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If you are unboxing an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max today, make sure to update the device to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data to the device from another iPhone, or else you might encounter issues. iOS 17.0.2 is only available for the iPhone 15 lineup. Apple says the update fixes an issue that may prevent transferring data directly from another iPhone...
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Tuesday September 19, 2023 12:43 pm PDT by Juli Clover
As Apple was announcing new iPhone models last week, the Unicode Consortium was officially approving new emoji characters that are set to be added to smartphones starting in 2024. Mockup of new emoji from Emojipedia Approved Unicode 15.1 emoji include phoenix, lime, an edible mushroom, shaking head vertically (as in a "yes" nod), shaking head horizontally (a "no" head shake), and broken...
Thursday September 21, 2023 2:48 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
In a support document updated today, Apple indicates that fingerprints might "temporarily alter the color" of the titanium frame on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Fortunately, Apple says this is not a permanent condition, as the fingerprints can be wiped off just like on any other iPhone to restore a clean finish. "For iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, the oil from your skin...