If unique touch based games were revolutionary I think the Nintendo DS would have realised that at conception.

Touch gaming has been captured by the DS to the capacity at which it works not where it is frustrating - can you imagine not having any kind of tactile feedback from a game device? Not having that feedback from the iPod Touch even Sony Ericssons new k850i is really annoying.

If Apple can compete with the 1000+ title library of the DS (and we;re including all those Gameboy Advance titles that also work with the DS) then they sure as hell have the right resources.

Nintendo have th right idea - their generations concept. They make for everyone, not everyone can buy or own an iPhone/iPod Touch.

What about a slim controller add on that the iphone cradles into?

Something like the Messenger kit add on for the XBOX 360 controller would rock - give it a D-pad, some buttons or even a qwerty keyboard for texting, maybe even an additional battery so it doesn't drain the iPhone battery while playing games?

http://www.xbox.com:80/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360messengerkit/

The 4GB was discontinued.
And I hardly see how the lack of cartridges is a bad thing. If anything it's better, less things to carry.
You also don't have to connect it to a computer - What made you think that?
And we have no idea on how big the games will be so it's best to reserve judgment on that.

The iPhone/iPod touch isn't just a gaming device, but can do other things, so it has that advantage over the other devices. Plus, that's one less thing to carry around in your pocket.

PSP wins over iPhone for me for video playback. The screen is bigger and is actually 16:9, meaning that my content plays at the full size without cropping.

iPhone is a stupid aspect ratio.

Indeed. I wonder what led them to choose that aspect ratio

No, you won't need to connect iPhones or iPod touches to the computer to put games on them. The App Store is on the home screen of the devices themselves, in addition to being accessible on the iTunes Store.

I do agree that the cost would be a HUGE barrier. I don't imagine many parents will be able to justify buying an iPhone for their kids as a gaming device. Some may go with the iPod touch, though.

RTFA:

"they could even brand an iPod touch/phoneless iPhone as a gaming unit, and sell that at a price that would compete with Sony's PSP and Nintendo's DS"

Baah, I wish. for all the reasons stated it will be revolutionary and the industry will SHIFT. Never TAKEN OVER for all the reasons copiously listed. Price and ability to say: here try this game, pop it out and hand it to a school mate.

Yes, and no hardware add-ons mean you can't have a controller either.

It will not "take over" handheld gaming. Certainly some innovative games will be written for it, but the DS stands to reign supreme for a long, long time.

Why would Apple move all of its iPods over to the iPod touch? The product simply doesn't make sense for every situation.

It lacks tactile controls, so you can't control it as an iPod without taking it out and looking at it. This makes it not work so well for workouts, for safety (it makes you pull out your expensive gadget for all to see), or just plain convenience. Also, it can never be as wearable as an iPod shuffle.

PWNED