Apple. And they'd probably win.

Apple and google.

i reckon Sega should join the handheld market... there is currently to many competitors in the console market... there is currently 2 in the handheld, since Microsoft wont do it, sega might as well fill the spot.

Don't you think smartphones are competing with handhelds?

More consoles would be pointless.

Apple, they've been dipping their toes in the water, only a matter of time before they make a splash they could have/bring a huge fanbase to gaming

Honestly, Apple would get destroyed if they entered into the home console market ...

Apple has a very good track record at establishing markets but a very poor track record of getting marketshare in an established market. Or to put it another way, Apple doesn't perform very well in markets where they have strong competition.

Realistically, unless one of the 3 competitors leaves the market, I don't think any company could enter the market and be successful.

If there were new consoles that came out from different companies then what could they bring to the table. I mean it's not like they will be bringing new innovations or killer tech that we haven't already seen before... soooo.... yeah, i don't think any company could really join right now. Seeing as how Microsoft was able to successfully join due to the fall of sega, we would have to see another fall for there to be a new combatant... and i don't see anyone falling anytime soon.

@ The people saying Apple or Google...I don't see it. They don't have any established franchises so they would fail IMO.

@ The people saying we have enough already...that wasn't really the question as I was asking if anyone could, not would you like someone to. I personally would though as nobody wants to develop for 4 systems...it would bring more exclusives and more of a reason to own a system, it would be more interesting, and the game market is growing to a point where I think it could support it.

I'm not disputing your conclusion, I agree that apple would not do well in the home console market.

But I  don't think the bolded is entirely true.

Apple wasn't the first company to make personal computers, or laptops, but they took the market by storm with some fantastic innovations.

Apple was amongst the first to make Mp3 players, but not the first

Apple wasn't the first to make smart phones, RIM beat them to it by several years. They took that established market by a combination of superior design and superior marketing, which showed that even if you weren't in big business, you could still benefit from a smartphone.

Tablets existed long before Apple made the ipad.

The reason I don't think Apple could make a home console is twofold;

* Apples devices seem to do better the more portable they are. In terms of popularity

iphones/ipods > ipad > laptops > desktops.

This could be because Apple's values and aesthetics, high build quality and ease of use are more desirable in the portable market.

* The Appstore approach - $2 games, will likely not work as well for a home console