Apple Considering Using Intel and Samsung as Backup Chipmakers in US
Apple has reportedly held "exploratory" discussions with Intel and Samsung as backup chipmakers in the US.
Apple Plans New Gaming App as Next Big Thing, Says Report
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is preparing to launch a dedicated video game app later this year across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV.
The new app will replace Game Center and serve as a one-stop hub for everything gaming—from achievements and leaderboards to in-game chat and curated content from Apple, say people familiar with the matter. This report seemingly echos what 9to5Mac reported on last fall, about some sort of Apple gaming hub that was in the works.
Gurman says the app will debut at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 9, just days after Nintendo unveils its new Switch 2.
Unlike Game Center (which is way past its prime), Apple’s new gaming app will also promote Apple Arcade, its $8.99/month CAD subscription service, and highlight popular new App Store games. A version for Mac is also in the works—and it will support games downloaded outside the App Store, which normally isn’t the case.
Gurman reports that the iPhone remains a massive force in mobile gaming, accounting for around two-thirds of App Store revenue thanks to in-game purchases. But the Mac has struggled to gain ground, with many developers and players still favouring Windows for high-performance titles.
To help boost its gaming efforts, Apple recently acquired RAC7, the small Vancouver-based studio behind the hit Apple Arcade title Sneaky Sasquatch. It’s Apple’s first known video game studio acquisition.
Even with the new app, industry insiders tell Bloomberg they don’t expect Apple to suddenly win over hardcore gamers. But the move could make gaming more accessible and visible across Apple devices, especially as it prepares for a major software refresh coming in September.
Hardcore gamers don’t associate gaming with Apple. Fortnite has a limited return in the U.S. and it’s just too hard playing games long term on a touch screen. If Apple really wants to make a big splash it needs to support the biggest and best games found on PC, Xbox and PlayStation.
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
Other articles in the category: News
T-Mobile Customers Can Now Use Starlink in Canada Through Rogers
The boundary between cellular dead zones is disappearing across Canada and the U.S. as Rogers and T-Mobile expand their satellite-to-mobile roaming partnership. T-Mobile customers travelling in Canada can access Starlink satellite connectivity via the Rogers network. This follows a move in mid-April when Rogers enabled its own customers to roam on T-Mobile’s T-Satellite network in...
Apple Is Finally Letting You Build Your Own Wallet Passes
Apple is planning to let iPhone users create their own passes in the Wallet app, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The feature is aimed at situations where a business uses a QR code for entry but does not support Apple Wallet natively. Users will be able to import an existing QR code or create a...
I had Apple Arcade for 3 months. It was horrible. Selection was extremely
Limited and search was barely functional.