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.
Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued.
The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models.
In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring.
There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category.
M4...
Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:38 am PST by Juli Clover
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia pages to give a narrower timeline on when the next updates are set to launch.
All three pages now state that new Apple Intelligence features and languages will launch in early April, an update from the more broader April timeframe that Apple provided before. The next major point updates will be iOS ...
Friday February 21, 2025 1:08 pm PST by Juli Clover
Apple finally released the first beta of iOS 18.4 to developers for testing purposes, and while the beta is lacking some of the Apple Intelligence features we were hoping for, there are some notable new additions.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
Priority Notifications - Apple Intelligence
There is a new Priority Notifications feature that can show you your most...
Friday February 21, 2025 11:06 am PST by Juli Clover
In iOS 18.4, there's a new Ambient Music option that can be added to Control Center. There are four different sound categories, including Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing.
Each category can be added to Control Center separately, and tapping one plays a random selection of sounds or music from that particular category.
You can't choose what's playing from Control Center, but if...
Friday February 21, 2025 8:01 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple has confirmed that its custom-designed C1 modem in the iPhone 16e has nothing to do with the device's lack of MagSafe support, according to Macworld.
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, there was some speculation online about how MagSafe magnets might have interfered with the C1 modem's cellular connectivity performance, and this was considered to be a potential reason for the...
Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by Joe Rossignol
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19.
"Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag.
The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle.
Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
