This is from a thread on NeoGAF.
http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Gaming/Console/Q7F2A3Q3
Apple To Move Into Gaming, Intel Aware Of Plans
By David Richards | Tuesday | 12/02/2008
"Apple is considering a move into gaming. During recent months the company has held talks with several gaming software companies, SmartHouse can reveal.
According to Apple insiders the company has been exploring the release of a gaming console that primarily delivers live gaming while also delivering video content.
At the recent CES show in Las Vegas an Intel executive admitted to me that they had held discussions with apple about a gaming console or even an Apple gaming PC running Intel RISC processors
Recently it was revealed that Apple has registered its name as a manufacturer of devices, including stand-alone consoles for use in the gaming market.. The disclosure is in a Feb. 5 filing to expand the use of the company's trademark. Such filings with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office are done to prevent a company's trademark from being used in markets where it could be argued the company has no involvement."
http://www.247wallst.com/2008/02/apple-aapl-look.html
February 13, 2008
Apple (AAPL) Looking At Game Console Business
"It is not enough that Nintendo, Microsoft (MSFT), and Sony (SNE) are scratching each other's eyes out in the game console business. It looks like Apple (AAPL) wants in. Given its new visibility with consumers and the "glow" from the iPod, it makes all the sense in the world.
According to The Sydney Herald, Apple has filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office to extend its brand name and trademark to a number of gaming products.
Given Apple's excellent skills with creating nifty hardware interfaces and consumer electronics, the company might do fairly well against flat-footed operators like Redmond and Sony. Apple might even be able to run a game controller or console component using current versions of the Mac or iPod.
Put the odds of Apple announcing a game platform before the end of the year at 75% or better.
Douglas A. McIntyre"
http://www.dailytech.com/Apple+Updates+Trademark+to+Cover+Game+Devices/article10647c.htm
Apple Updates Trademark to Cover Game Devices
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - February 11, 2008 11:20 AM
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."
