Steve Jobs' Disney Has Sold More Than 1 Million eBooks on iOS.

Disney reported that it has pushed out more than one million ebooks to iOS loving children.  And adults I'm sure.  I cannot underscore the significance of this enough.  In a previous post I published on December 29, 2010, I had suggested that perhaps, Apple should create release a SDK with a subset of tools for the iBooktore.

An iBookstore SDK.  This will provide a more enriching experience for writers and publishers for the readers.  After all, the iOS devices can do so much more than read books.  If you want to do just that, the Kindle or the Nook would suffice.  

And interestingly, these one million books are not ebooks.  Rather, they are iOS apps that are books that provide text and rich media like sounds, pictures, and video clips. The sales volume from Disney is a testament to this idea.  I created book using Shutterfly for my nephew last Christmas.  If there was a tool to easily create an interactive ebook, I have all the materials I need to do just that.  Heck, I might even be able to sell it on the app store if there was a easy way to create what I am talking about.

So, Apple.  Time for you to step up and seize this moment.  I have a suggestion how Apple can do this easily.  And there are two routes Apple can do this:

1. iWorks.  Pages has all that we need in terms of layouts.  And Keynote provides a page-by-page presentation.  The combination can be used to create an interactive ebook app.
2. iAds tool that Apple released for develops is a great opportunity for users to create apps running.  From what I understand, it is an even easy tool to use than the iOS SDK.

Obviously, creating an iBookstore SDK that can publish to both the iBookstore and the app store would be idea.  And this would be a golden opportunity for Apple revolutionize the book industry and, more importantly, how contents are created and consumed.  Let text readers have their ereaders.  For anything else, there's the iOS devices.

More on Disney's 1 million book app sales at TUAW.

 

Sony Will have Xperia Play, What about Nintendo?

Mario, Zelda, and the Pokemons have entertained us for years. Decades now. But with the mobile gaming landscape changing so far, what should Nintendo do? Should they remain in the hardware business? I think Nintendo has one more chance to get things right and that's the DSi.

But I think more and more, that's looking less likely to keep Nintendo in the game. Consider that fact that decaded gaming devices, consoles or handheld, live for 3-4 years at a time. In an era where the iPhone is updated annually and new Android devices released throughout a given year, Nintendo, or Sony's PSP for that matter, just cannot stay up with the trend.

It is increasingly looking like Sony will bite the bullet and merge PSP with its Xperia phone and call it Xperia Play. For Sony, there is a lot of risks but the rewards could be huge. How about Nintendo?

I see three options. I don't see Nintendo with the staying power to just push out dedicated mobile gaming devices.

1. Get into the phone business.  Apple did it and I'm sure Nintendo can find a Japanese phone maker who would be happy to help Nintendo with a DSphone.  Is this likely?  No but stranger things have happened.  Perhaps Nokia would a willing partner.
2. Get out of the hardware business completely.  Do what Sega did after Saturn expired.  Would you like to see Nintendo's starters and deep bench of libraries on the iPhone, Android, PC and Mac, Xbox 360, and PS3?  I see a lot of dollar signs there.  I don't see this happen unless Nintendo really cannot keep technically with the rest of the mobile market.  But it is certainly enticing and I would love to see it happen as a gamer.
3. Create a platform and license it to developers and hardware makers.  For instance, HTC can license Nintendo's designs to put it on its own phone.  So could Motorola, LG, Samsung, or anyone else who wants to let its users catch Pokemons to battle.  

I think I like the third option the best.  Like Google, Nintendo can come up with a reference device.  It can run on Android, Windows, WebOS or some Linux variant.  Hardware makers can build off that.  Devices would be subject to Nintendo's approval.  Once all conditions are met, Nintendo-approved devices can be manufactured and sold.

In a way, Nintendo would still be in the hardware business as an overseer, allow others to take the risk, and continue to build excellent games for it.  

Is this viable?  I think so.  If you want to play Nintendo games, you still have to buy Nintendo-approved devices.  

How Microsoft, Nintendo, And Sony Will Bring Portable Gaming to Mobile Computing Market

Some quick thoughts about mobile gaming in the age of app stores, casual gaming, and diminished support for portable gaming consoles, is it time to give thought to how Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo will go on. I see a merger of platforms, birth of new ones, and a salad of old tech mixed with the new.

Which is better?

Game Center: Social Network For More Than Gamers

It isn't unusual for Apple to change names of a product. And Game Center, being billed as a social gaming network, can grow beyond gaming and Apple is likely to change the name as it becomes a full fledged social network.


That's what it is going to become over time. A full network but likely much with more to offer than anything we have in existence today. You want a couple of examples? Look at what Apple has done to the mobile market. And also look at what it plans to do with iAd in advertising.

One of the reasons I started thinking about this is because I've made a couple of long distance friends while playing Chess With Friends and Words With Friends. Even with such a rudimentary set of social interactions, I come back to it again and again.

It is absolutely rare such happens now but as more developers integrate Game Center into their gaming apps, developers will discover that it is not only gaming apps that can benefit from a social network. And users will find it more useful than to keep track of high scores or tracking achievements.

Don't be surprised if Apple eventually integrate a friend list as part of the evolution of Game Center.

For those of us who are familiar with MobileMe, it would make sense for Apple to integrate Game Center into its online services. There was word that Apple will making some of the MobileMe services free for all who wants to use it.

Furthermore, I fully expect Apple to provide the option for its iTunes customers to be become MobileMe users. And by default, Game Center users as well. In one stroke, it will have more than one hundred and fifty million members just like that.

MobileMe integration will be key. Imagine being able to create a list for friends and a separate list for gaming buddies. This will afford users greater privacy. And let's not forget why Apple is doing all this. iAd will help Apple and developers make money.

Of course, all this is conjecture on my part but this is the likely course of development going forward.

Game Center is going to be huge. You just watch. It will be the backbone of anything iOS, OS X, iDevices, iTunes, and Macs going forward. And depending on how you see it, this Apple social network will have Steve Jobs as the wizard.

Note: I am sure it didn't escape Apple and Steve Jobs' attention that Facebook CEO Zuckerberg dissed the iPhone 4 on his own Facebook page. So here's message for you, Zuckerberg: Apple might look like it's got its hands full with Google. But trust me, it can fight more than one war at a time.


-- Post From My iPad

Dear Game Developers

Hello.

We're fans of mobile technology, its way of life, and we are also gamers. And we're writing you this letter because we want to let you know what the mobile warriors Onxo represent, the ones who also like to play games on their Blackberries, G1s, and iPhones, and others, want from you.

Traditionally, you develop for the Nintendo's DS (now DSi) and Sony's PSP. Both great platforms. Millions of fans. Including a lot of us by the way. You've given us hours of fun and, in turn, we've made you rich (billions in capitalization). And over the years, we've grown together.

Now, there is a tech evolution going on with smartphones and mobile devices that are capable of a lot of computing and graphic crunching powers. And increasingly, folks are playing games on them. This is very evident with the iPhone platform where games dominate the app store. Apple recently released a list of top downloaded apps. Wanna guess what kind they are? Games. All games.

So, going forward, we like you to consider this when you develop games for us. Give us quality games. Don't short change us. Here are some pointers to start you off with:

• What you give the platformers, we want it too. EA, let's use you as an example. Spore is pretty good on the iPhone. But we would love the depth you've given for the DS version. It got boring after a while. Still a great game and I go back to it often enough. Depth.
• Don't use your flagship names to sell watered down games. Here's why. A lot of mobile users are new to the gaming scene and may for the first time be introduced to your titles. And with a dumbed down game like Metal Gear Solid for the iPhone, it makes the whole franchise look bad. Needless to say, the game got a little boring for us.
• Charge us more. If it's a great game, we'll pay for it. Honest. One of you give it a try. You'll see.
• But don't rob us either. Digital distribution is nothing like having to deal with the packaging, memory chips, plastic covers, and printing. There was a rumor going around that Apple might offer a premium gaming section. It's not happen. Make compelling games and we'll buy them.
• Releases. Simultaneous releases would go a long way in tell the mobile warriors I represent that you care. And in turn, you'll have earned our respect.
• Be innovative. Some smartphones have buttons. That makes it easier for you. But like the iPhone where there are no button, it might drive you a little crazy. Well, that doesn't seem to stop the two-man teams from coming out with great schemes for controls.

Listen, take it from Gameloft. They're developing more and more sophisticated games and they're making tons of money. I know you can do it. A lot of your developers are mobile gaming fans just like us - so set them free!  The mobile market is ripe for rich, sophisticated, and fun mobile games.  

Soon, there will be like, you know, a lot of different app stores. Build good games for them and the sky'll be the limit.  That means "$$$$$".

Regard.

PS. Keep up the good (generally) work on the DSi and PSP. And really wow us with the stuff you've got cooking for DS2 and the PSP2 when the time comes (later in 2009).

PSP 2 - Standalone Gaming Device or PSPhone?

Now that Microsoft has indicated Zune will find its way into Windows Mobile devices, will Sony do something similar with PSP? To jump start their status in the smartphone and gaming market? Two birds with one stone?

Alright, PSP is not the same as Zune. PSP is doing well. Zune is, well...Zuned. Microsoft really has nothing to lose but much to gain if Windows Mobile 7 gains wide adoption and allows Microsoft to regain a position it once held at as the top smartphone platform. And Zune maybe just what Redmond hope will do that. Tie together are Xbox, Zune, and Windows Mobile.

For Sony, they are looking at this differently. PSP is a relatively successful gaming platform. Thus, the risks are greater. If Zune doesn't work out in WM 7, Microsoft takes it out. It's already tarnished as a media device. No big deal.

However, do it wrong, PSP get Zuned and Sony gains nothing in the smartphone market.

So, what to except from PSP 2? I've read and heard a lot of rumors but nothing is concrete. Sony is most definitely working on the PSP successor. They started on it even before PSP was finished. You know that. I know that. It's the nature of business. However, one might wonder if the gaming success (real or not is up for debate) of Apple's mobile platform changed things in Japan a bit.

Perhaps before the iPhone came out, PSP 2 was suppose to be another standalone gaming device. HD screen. More powerful graphics. New designs. It was like the same thing for WM7, just another incremental upgrade and anything touching involves a stylus. But that all changed in the couple of years.

The battlefield was clear and defined and all the players knew each other well before Apple joined the game. Sony and Nintendo locked in a chess match in the portable gaming market while WM, Blackberry, Symbian, and Palm fought it out in the smartphone market. Apple sort of pulled the two markets together and changed the rules with a true mobile computing platform.

I'm gonna go out on a limp and say that Sony will leave things as it is. PSP 2 will be a standalone device with an app store of its own while gain some mobile computing functions. The question is why will we see it?

What do you think?

Mobile Digerati

I will start providing periodic mobile updates that I feel are important to all mobile warriors.

Be it politics, economics, or just cool mobile developments and gadgets, I'll post them as I can but I've also posted a lot of posts, blogs, and articles I read throughout the week at Mobile Digerati that I think you might also be interested in reading as well.

I've also created a mobile gaming section.  I just know mobile gaming is going to be huge in 2009 despite the current economic conditions.  As I've posted a couple of days ago, 2009 will be very busy for mobile news.

Encroaching on Nintendo's Turf

Can Nintendo afford to upgrade every so often while mobile devices like smartphones have a shorter upgrade cycle?  The reason I posed this question is because a lot of smartphones and mobile devices are now making gaming one of its main features or soon will be.

Granted that Nintendo has sold millions and made gazillions from its handheld devices dating back to the original Game Boy, I wonder if Nintendo needs to upgrade their devices on at least an annual basis or even shorter cycle given the encroachment of mobile devices like the iPhone and iPod Touch.

More and more, it looks like Apple is serious about making more out of gaming than anything originally though.  I don't see folks getting torn up between Nintendo's DS offerings and iPod Touches when they consider a mobile gaming device yet.  Not for a while.

Nintendo will do just fine if they want to make a device that is gaming first and other functions are secondary.  Nintendo fanboys are just as loyal and likely have a larger following.  If the legendary gaming giant continues to innovate and not take them for granted, they'll follow where Nintendo leads.

And Apple is not the only people Nintendo has to worry about.   While I can't say I have any clue where Apple plans on taking the iPod Touch (I've got a few theories), others like Sony and Microsoft with Apple on the consumer mobile phone front and that means they'll have to offer compelling gaming as well.

Nintendo's problem with Sony is that Sony has a legacy and it is well known world-wide for its phones and Vaio laptops.  Sony can leverage its mobile gaming offerings in ways Nintendo can't.  PSP2 is a bit far off still (according to Yahoo).  But can we expect an iPod Touch-like device from Sony that merges PSP or even creating a "Vaio Touch" with PSP gaming?  Wouldn't you love seeing one of those?

Microsoft could be closer to releasing something to compete with the iPod Touch and iPhone than Sony.  Nintendo doesn't have to worry about Microsoft moving into mobile gaming the way it has to worry about Sony.  For the most part, I'm not sure Redmond knows what it really wants to do.  Zune phone is a given.  Zune gaming is likely but it has to decide if it'll be Zune gaming or Xbox mobile gaming.  Do it wrong and it'll confuse the heck of consumers.

Bottomline for Nintendo is if it can afford for the coming mobile gaming war to come to it or strike out at it's competitors now before it becomes an issue.

Source:  Yahoo News

Note:  I've largely excluded RIM, HP, Dell, and Nokia in all this.  It'll be interesting to see how they can fit into the mobile communication and gaming platform debate.

Mobile Gaming: Nintendo May Not Be Worried About Industry Challenges

Everyone will saying gaming is about quality and not about quantity.  Well, some quantity too.  But this is something Nintendo knows and this is why Wii has done so well.  Make a quality game system and people will follow.  It's the same for the DS and back to the original NES.

Then Sony came along and tried to get into the mobile gaming secgment with the PSP and I think it has done well with a more powerful gaming  experience in terms of graphics and expandability.

Recently, a newer version of Nintendo's handheld, DSi, available initially only in Japan is an answer to lower ales and quite possibility to differentiate itself from PSP.

Onxo being a place for mobile rants and an American-centric focus can't help but bring in a little about the iPhone or the iPod Touch.  I'm sure eventually, RIM and Microsoft will be getting into the  mobile gaming arena.  Still, I don't think Nintendo is really too concerned about these new upstarts.

Nintendo has always been an innovator.  Dual screens.  Wii's controllers.  And they stick to their guns when they have to.  Cartridges.  Leaving out DVD playback function because it would get in the way of Nintendo's game experiences.

With the recent campaign by Apple to push the iPod Touch as a mobile gaming device, you have to wonder, I have, if Nintendo has anything to worry about?  And it is an effort by Apple to move into the hearts and minds of gamers that Apple is serious about games.

Apple does have the app store on its side with a couple thousands of games.  More games than the DS and PSP libraries combined as they like to spin things.  Trust me when I say they are not exaggerating and umber will most certainly grow.  Plus, the iPhone and the iPod Touch features pretty impressive hardware at that.

But in the end, I can't say that Nintendo has to worry about anyone else, including Apple for a while.  For gamers, it still comes down to quality.  And Nintendo with its smaller library of games than Apple or other mobile platforms,  including Windows Mobile, has depth and a traditional gaming experience that folks have come to know and expect from the gaming giant.

That's not to say the situation won't change.  Others will get better at producing quality games with depth and Nintendo will need to innovate to differentiate its platform from all the rest.

DSi  is okay but I can't wait for DS 2.  Personally, I'm betting on something really special from our Japanese gaming overlords.  What would you like to see from Nintendo's future handheld system?  Me, I'm looking for more social features like video chats and general mobile computing features like e-mails, texting, and browsing.

Note:  DSi's pricing is a bit disappointing.  But it is Nintendo, so I suppose it should command some premium.

Another note:  I would love to see Apple and Nintendo collaborate on a project.

Mobile Gaming Reach $1 Billion

RCR Wireless is reporting some encouraging news for mobile entertainment. Particularly mobile gaming.

This was talked about on our earlier post.  Here are some additional information:

• Fragmentation of platforms is making it difficult for developers to choose which platform to support.
• Gaming will reach $6.8 billion by 2013.
• One third of those survey play games on their mobile phone.  It's all my mom does on her iPhone.  I remembered she was surprised when she found out it could make phone calls.  A gaming machine that makes phone calls.  What will they think of next?
• One fifth of those survey have downloaded games other than from their carriers.

Note the last point.  This why why wireless providers like to keep their subscribers locked.  This is another area where iPhone has made great impact on mobile landscape.   You can do with with Palm and Windows Mobile even before the iPhone came along. 

But it was Apple that has shift the balance of power away from the carriers.  It's also why Nokia has thanked Apple a couple of times already.

Link:  RCR Wireless

New Macbook Benchmark Difference

Okay.  So this will be quick.  The follow are the new benchmarks from Apple, repeats:  from Apple, for the new integrated graphic solution on the new Macbook.

Right now, I'm torn between the high end Macbook and the Macbook Pro.  These are just graphs with no numbers.  But you can see how the new Nvidia GeForce 9400M improves the performance over the x3100.  Too bad there is no reference for the x4500.

What do these numbers mean?  Well, Apple isn't above manipulation the numbers.  Regardless, I went to an old benchmark chart from Macworld to pull up the Unreal Tournament number for the early 2008 Macbook.  The Black Macbook took in 27.6 frames per second.  That puts the new Macbook at around 69 frames per second.

Not bad at all.

But keep in mind, when Apple's next OS, Snow Leopard, comes out next year, OpenCL allows  the GPU to help out the CPU with the load.  It's likely integrated solutions will not work, such as this Macbook's GeForce 9400M.

So, don't blow off the Macbook Pro just yet.  Something to consider if your computing requirements include a lot of heavy computation.

Link:  Apple Graphics

Mac Hybrid

People are all over the place when it comes to what sercet product, if any, will Apple be introducing that require them to warn investors of lower margins in future quarter?

Some Apple fans think Apple will merely be lowering prices but others think Apple will actually introduce a brand new product that will cause panic and pandemonium among its competitors.

We'll know between now and Macworld 2009, when we think Apple will truly introduce a new product.  In the mean time, we analyze a bit about the Apple TV situation and came up with the "Mac Hybrid".

What is the Mac Hybrid?  Please read at On Apple to find out.

Can iPhone Ruin Mobile Gaming?

Can  the iPhone and the App Store ruin gaming?  The answer is, of course, yes.  The following-up question would be:  how likely?

Well, it's too early to tell right now but the risks should not be ignored.

I've enjoyed playing games on the iPhone for weeks now and I'm likely like buying or downloading a new game every other week.  These games do not cost more than $10.00.  It costs less than a movie ticket or a lunch in some cities.

Right now, iPhone is the biggest casual gaming platform in the eye of the media and the success or failure of mobile gaming may rest on how well developers do in the months after the initial rush of iPhone users get their fill of the app store (close to 3,000 apps and counting).

So, at what point will we know if the iPhone will be something for a developer to contemplate a long-term business strategy in?

• Installed base.  Right now, we're looking at anywhere between eight to ten million by the end of the third quarter of 2008.  We may see another five to seven.  This will mean we're looking at a installed base since the app store was introduced of about thirteen to seventeen million iPhones along.
• How many installed base of iPod Touches are there?  Apple does not provide a breakdown of iPod Touch sales but conservatively, if we were to estimate about 25% of all iPods sold since third quarter of 2007 are the touches, it's possible we're looking at another ten million.
• Adding the iPod Touches together with the iPhones, we may have about another fifteen million iPod Touches by the end of 2008.

I realize there is a lot of flaws in my very rough estimation.  Lots and lots.  So, let's say we've got 30 million eligible Apple gaming devices by the end of 2008.  That's a number for a viable platform, isn't it?  Definitely.

So, what's the problem?  Well, cost is a major factor in deciding whether to support a platform like the iPhone.  You want to recoup the costs quick and then start to making the big bucks.  But with games from $5 to $10, it can take a while depending on the production budget.  

In the realm of PSP and DS, games can cost from $25 to $40 with tens of millions of established base.  While there is risk in just about any game development, at the same time, it is established and acceptable risks.  Developers have a good idea what they are getting into.  

For the iPhone, it can be a established gaming platform but chances are, Apple is not likely to promote it as a challenger to established mobile gaming devices because the iPhone is so much more than for gaming.  It's a new mobile computing platform.  The fact it can do gaming is only of many features the iPhone/Touch is capable of.

With independent developers, where they have limited resources but a wealth of talent and brilliant idea. After a few months of hard work on nights and weekends, they can churn out an overnight hit that only cost them some sweat, Cheetos, and a few six packs of Mountain Dews.  

Now, take Sega's Super Monkey Ball that has thus far raked in 300K, about $2.1 million after subtracting Apple's cut (they're likely closer to 600K or 700K by now, or $4.2-5 million).  This is like a small chunk compared to what they can get with DS or PSP.  To reach $5 million in revenues at $20 a copy on Nintendo's DS, only has to sell 250K copies.  

There's an added element to the app store.  The reviews on such a centralized app store can be a good thing just as much as it can be bad for developers.  Established games with big development costs need to charge out of the gate really fast.  The reviews on iTunes can often be brutal and keep an app from any kind of momentum from the start.  From what I've seen, much of the complaints are about cost of the games itself and not really with the game play.  Such "reviews" do nothing to help users decide if a game is something they might be interested in buying and downloading.

Nevertheless, studios do have to pay attention and participate in the mobile gaming industry because of the potential it may bring.  Billions of dollars.  With the iPhone, they can take comfort in the fact that it will have a big installed base and it will only increase in the years to come.  By some estimates, Apple is looking to move anywhere from 30-45 million iphones in the next 12 months.  

That's just iPhones.  We may be looking at even a bigger installed base for iPod/iPhone gaming once the number of iPod Touches are added a year from now.  With a potential of 100 million to 120 million devices to support mobile gaming once Apple's mobile market is established, the risk is mitigated some what.  

But the risks remain and Apple need to do more to make sure mobile gaming is just as much as important as corporate and iPod features.  If gaming cannot take off on such a large platform, how can developers make it on others?  If the iPhone fails to help move mobile gaming forward, developers may be less likely to take chances on other platforms.  

There are some things Apple can do that'll help a lot (some are things other platforms can follow as well):

• Create gaming workshops or participate at consumer and gaming conferences to show that Apple is serious about mobile gaming.
• Dedicate an entire section of the Apple's website to just gaming and promote gaming as it does with music and video.
• Allow apps to also work on Apple TV.  
• Foster in  house gaming development to show it has confidence in its mobile platform.

Love to hear what you think.  

Note:  Of course, developing for Apple also means putting up with their insane NDA and them pulling your apps for no reason.  

One more note:  Developers have been known to play with pricing from time to time in an attempt to increase demand and revenue.  

Related Articles:

• Choppers a Huge Success (Touch Arcade)
• iPhone Popular For Gaming (Onxo)
• iPhone Will Not Clobber DS (Onxo)
• iPhone Will Not Win Gaming (Gizmodo)

Mobile Update For July 31, 2008

We started off the day huffing and puffing about hackers in general and guidelines from the Homeland Security to help our mobile warriors who might be targets of foreign bodies for data theft.  We end the day with a satirical comic strip about the iPhone craze and Midori, a new Microsoft OS slated to take advantage of cloud computing.

All good reads.  Now.  Mobile Device Update:

• Due to Nintindo's lackluster DS sales, many are beginning to believe an upgrade to the DS is about to take place.  Well, we ALL know that.  What we want is a date!  To date, Nintendo has sold close to 80 million DS worldwide.  So, no.  the iPhone isn't about to challenge DS for mobile game supremacy if ever.  Lower the DS to $99 might just do the trick.  No need for new hardware just yet.  Although it might not be a bad idea if "DS 2" released to the market.  PSP may be in for some hurt if there were to happen.
• Nokia just recently lowered the price of the N95 due to stiff competition from the iPhone.  Now, they're slashing prices for other phones.  Gloves are off.

Mobile Issues:

• Microsoft shipped 18 million Window Mobile copies.  Apparently, they had hope to ship 20 million.  
• With networks about to be pried open, how will mobile gaming change?
• Onxo believes cyber threat should be a concern at all times and points mobile travelers to guidelines on how to protect themselves.
• Skyfire - a mobile web browser with a small footprint.

The end of July has kind of sucked as far as mobile devices introductions are concerned.  It's as if everyone has cleared out for Apple and the iPhone.  I'm not too hopeful about August but I'm pretty sure we'll have plenty of coverage regarding Blackberry's releases and Sony's upcoming press conference.

Is Mobile Gaming Set for Big Changes?

For the last few days, I've been playing one game on the iPhone.  Cube Runner.  Nothing intricate about the game.  with your ship in a 3D environment, you're moving forward trying to dodge, that's right, cubes.  Easy.  Zero learn curve.  The graphic is as spartan as it get.  But extremely addictive.

For folks like myself, casual gamers, smartphone based games can offer fun in short busts.  For any developers out there consider getting into the market, 2009 could be a great time to do it.  Wireless networks primed to be opened up and gamers may be able to download games without having to get the approval of wireless providers.

This will become easier once platforms like Windows Mobile and Android sets up shop with their own download store.  One glanced at the iTunes' popular download list is proof enough that if there is a great delivery system, users will swarm towards it.  Currently games occupy eleven of the top twenty paid downloads.

For dedicated gaming platforms like the PSP and Nintendo DS, no one should be surprised to see gaming stores of their own for online downloads.  Whether the game is as simple as Cube Runner (free but I would have easily paid $5 for it) or Mario Kart, easy access can mean a lot more sales.

Folks can forget about trying to predict which game system will dominate and whether what the market share is going to look like 5 years from now.  It will not be a while until the portable gaming systems, DS and PSP, will merge with the smartphone gaming market.

Impact:  Developers can know with certainly that the doors to these mobile devices have opened or will open up soon.  For gamers, choices and great prices.  So, enjoy and let the hardware companies court you better systems and pricing.

Note:  Gizmodo reported Sega (developer of Super Monkey Ball for the iPhone) claimed iPhone is Dreamcast.  Not to bad.  Yup, 2009 will be a great year for mobile warriors/gamers.

Mobile Gaming on Company Time - Yes, it should be okay.

Is mobile gaming a good thing to have on handhelds and smartphones that are meant for work?

It really depends on the function of the person and how much self-control he or she has but on the whole it is a good idea.

Now, I know a few doctors who are really excited about using the medical programs that will be available on the iPhone (stop calling it the iPhone 3G, folks). But I wouldn't want them to be playing Crash Bandicoot or getting too wound up playing Doom or something like that just before a surgery now would we?

But for everyone else, a bit of unwinding can go a lot way towards relieving stress and increase or maintaining productivity. I have been writing on the iPhone quite a bit more and once in a while when I hit a block, it helps to be able to surf the web or play one of the few games available via jail-break.

I hope employers who plan on giving their mobile warriors iPhones (or any other phones) to do battle allow them to have nearly full access to the phone's functionalities and not hinder what can be an efficient member of the company.

I recently played with a Blackberry my cousin got from her work. It was a great device for work - checking e-mails and keeping in touch with what's going on at her office when she does to work from home or Starbucks. But it annoyed the hell out of her knowing that they purposely crippled the device just to keep her from surfing the web from time to time. I want to give the company the benefit of the doubt in saying that it may have to do with data charges. But knowing her company and who her employers are, that is not the case here.

So, mobile entertainment is a good thing if kept in check. Annoying mobile workers by treating them like children is not. And with the plethora of smartphones like the iPhone and Android phones coming out later this year, it would be a shame to see mobile warriors given the equivalent of sword but no shield.