Apple has already released their new iPods and version of the iTunes. However, Apple CEO Steve Jobs also delivered a clear message that his company has set its sight on Portable Gaming Market. He even showed off a new ad touting the new iPod Touch as the “funnest” iPod ever. So should big companies like Nintendo and Sony be afraid of Steve’s messages? I still think that Apple will have a long way to go before they can dominate the poratble gaming market. Below is a list of reasons why Nintendo and Sony should/shouldn’t be scared of Apple’s iod touch or iPhone.

Reasons why Nintendo and Sony should be afraid:

1. Buying games for the iPod/iPhone is quick and easy - Games can be purchased directly into your iPod/iPhone using WiFi or 3G, and installing it is as easy as pressing the “install” button on the screen. Gamers shouldn’t even worry about shortages and can buy the games they want anytime.

2. iPod/iPhone games are cheaper - Very few iPhone/iPod games cost more than $10 while very few Nintendo DS or PSP games cost less than $25, do the math.

3. iPod/iPhone games can be expanded/updated - Its almost always that a game will have a few bugs or glitches that aren’t discovered until after launch. There’s usually little Nintendo DS and PSP players can do other than grin and deal with the glitchy gameplay. But iPod/iPhone games can be tuned to check for updates and heal themselves whenever bugs are found. The iPhone 3G makes it especially easy for developers to deliver expansion packs, adding levels and characters to successful games.

Reasons why Nintendo and Sony shouldn’t be afraid:

1. iPod/iPhone are touchscreen only - I must admit that playing without the traditional keypads can be a bit boring. Nothing beats the feeling of pressing hard on keypads when you’re fighting and enemy boss in a game or when you are in a tight spot in some part of the game, you can’t do this on a iPod/iPhone unless you’re not afraid to break the screen by pressing to hard on it. And buttons are still far more precise than Apple’s accelerometer. Although there are already accesories that can solve this problem.

2. iPod/iPhone is more expensive than other portable consoles - The Nintendo DS costs just $129. The PSP? $169. These relatively low prices compared to the price of an iPod Touch or iPhone.

As I have said above, Apple still has a long way to go if they want to compete against Nintendo or Sony when it comes to portable gaming. I, for one, wouldn’t trade a psp for an iPod Touch or iPhone when playing a game. It is just a different experience when you are just mashing down hard on your consoles button and not worrying about breaking those fragile touchscreens that the iPod/iPhone have.