Is Apple finally getting serious about games?

Apple

Could be.

When Apple unveiled its platform for letting outside developers create software for the iPhone and iPod Touch last week, some of the first programs shown were games from Electronic Arts and Sega.

And more game developers seem likely to hop on the Apple cart, since the iPhone and its cousin the iPod Touch are both tremendously popular and fairly powerful mobile computers.

What's really cool is that the games won't be sold on traditional cartridges or discs, but will be available solely as downloadable files.

Even better, you'll be able to purchase and download the titles wirelessly at any Wi-Fi hot spot without connecting your iPhone or Touch to a computer.

While gamers have clamored for years for portable-game makers to embrace the concept of wireless downloads, both Sony and Nintendo have been reluctant to relinquish their grip on physical media.

At this point, though, I think Apple's foray into games is more of a threat to Sony than to Nintendo.

Sony's slick, powerful and expensive PSP is designed to appeal to the same high-end gadget shopper who's also likely to crave the iPhone. If my iPhone can play top-notch games and make phone calls, what reason is there to own a PSP?

Victor Godinez blogs about gaming at punchbutton.beloblog .com.