The 8th of February may have passed relatively quietly for Apple's PR office, but things may be just about to pick up as news of a filed patent spreads around the internet.

The patent includes hand-held units for playing electronic games, hand-held units for playing video games, stand alone video game machines and more. To view the patent, Click Here.

Apple, well known for its iPod and iTunes, has attempted to enter the gaming market before with the Pippin in the early 90's, but failed miserably. With their new look and vast popularity due to the success of their multimedia entertainment though, a new console that looks as sleek as their other products may hit the consumers' sweet tooth, or so Apple will want.

With no comment from Apple, the rumours and hype will surely continue to escalate until we hear something.  Keep checking back right here at Sliced for all the latest on what could be the fourth platform in the already conjested games console market.

Almost a year after our April Fools (http://www.slicedgaming.com/news/news9896.html) joke last year.. Spoooky

Maybe just a more game orientated iPod, or perhaps a new handheld... but the DS will still blow it out of the water

i read it may be a handheld console...which is stupid
they should use the platform they already have (ipod/phone) with the touchscreen interface and release software for that - creating a 'touchscreen igameboy' or whatever will tank - people will wonder why they will have to pay for the software when they can get the same stuff to run on their regular touch devices