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Sketchy Rumor Claims Apple Developing Nintendo Switch-Style Gaming Console

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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple is working on a Nintendo Switch-style handheld games console, according to a sketchy new rumor coming from Asia.

nintendo-switch.jpg

According to a post on a Korean forum, shared by Twitter user @FrontTron, Apple is developing a portable hybrid games console, comparable to the Nintendo Switch. While the sourcing of the rumor is suspect, it has gained some visibility in larger news outlets over the past day or two, so we figured it was at least worth acknowledging.

The device will apparently feature an entirely new Apple-designed application processor, neglecting to use an A-series or M-series chip. This chip appears to be specifically designed for gaming and is said to feature enhanced GPU performance and improved ray tracing.

Apple is purported to currently be in negotiations with a number of well-known video game studios, including Ubisoft, the maker of popular titles such as "Assassin's Creed," "Far Cry," and "Watch Dogs," about developing games for the new device.

It is unknown where this console would be placed between devices such as the iPad and the Apple TV, which both offer integration with Apple Arcade and support for a host of external controllers, including some that take cues from the Nintendo Switch's design.

Late last year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple was working on a new Apple TV model with a stronger gaming focus and the leaker known as "Fudge" said that Apple was developing a gaming-focused Apple TV with an A14X chip.

It is unclear where these rumors now stand given the recent launch of the second-generation Apple TV 4K, which seemed to take a step back in terms of gaming with its older A12 Bionic processor and the redesigned Siri Remote, which lacks the accelerometer and gyroscope present in its predecessor.

Apple did launch its own games console in 1996 with the Apple Bandai Pippin, which was largely unsuccessful and discontinued following Steve Jobs' return to the company. Rumors about the company re-engaging with the console gaming market have circulated intermittently ever since but have never come to fruition.

The reliable leaker known as "L0vetodream" said last year that Apple was working on its own gaming controller, and after a spate of rumors about a gaming-focused Apple TV product, it is not completely out of the question that Apple could be working on some sort of games console. Even so, without more concrete information it is important to take this rumor with a heavy pinch of salt.

Article Link: Sketchy Rumor Claims Apple Developing Nintendo Switch-Style Gaming Console
 
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https://www.macrumors.com/2021/05/11/apple-developing-nintendo-switch-style-console/
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duervo

duervo

macrumors 68020
Feb 5, 2011
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Very sketchy. Especially when you can just use an iPhone with a controller attachment to get the same result.

If this happens (and to me, that’s a big “if”) it will stink like Apple from the early-mid 1990’s to me.
 
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Apple Knowledge Navigator

Apple Knowledge Navigator

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Mar 28, 2010
3,540
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I can understand a controller-attachment for iPads, especially given how many people already own them - but an actual console?

I hope Apple understands that hardware alone isn't what makes a good gaming experience, it's the quality of the franchise, concept and development. Nintendo has decades of experience and intellectual property, which love them or hate them is what sets them apart.
 
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_Refurbished_

_Refurbished_

macrumors 68020
Mar 23, 2007
2,333
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Honestly, if Apple released a non-iPhone based gaming device….it would sell like hot cakes. Your entire gaming library would be available on the Apple TV, like you can do with a Switch. You could use the device as a controller. Bam… You got an Apple Switch.

The problem with gaming attachments is that the platform is divided. You have a lot of games that work with a controller, then you have a ton of games that are touch based. The ecosystem is not fluent enough for devs to bring AAA titles like they do with the Switch.

If Apple can create a coherent ecosystem with a bunch of top-tier devs, they would make an absurd amount of money.
 
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Le0M

Le0M

macrumors 6502a
Aug 13, 2020
840
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What if Apple is just designing it's own controller to be used with existing products, and perhaps creating a new "Pro" store for most common games like the aforementioned?
 
M

Macalway

macrumors 68040
Aug 7, 2013
3,857
2,369
I think this particular sketchy rumor has been popping up now and then over the years. Maybe it's time has come?

Right....
 
G

gnomeisland

macrumors 65816
Jul 30, 2008
1,089
827
New York, NY
I think something is getting lost in translation here. Seems most likely to me that Apple is developing a gaming focused TV box that will feature enhanced handoff abilities for games so you can start a game on a portable device and pass it off to your TV and vise-a-versa. Game Center already does this to a degree and the Handoff tech is old hat, the current AppleTV hardware just doesn't support it.

I don't see Apple developing a gaming-only iPod/iPad hybrid that physically docks and connects to your TV like the switch. They have too many of those pieces already, they just need 1st-party controllers and a better "dock" AKA AppleTV/Arcade hardware.
 
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T

thebeans

macrumors 6502a
Feb 9, 2009
587
755
MacRumors said:


Apple is working on a Nintendo Switch-style handheld games console, according to a sketchy new rumor coming from Asia.

nintendo-switch.jpg

According to a post on a Korean forum, shared by Twitter user @FrontTron, Apple is developing a portable hybrid games console, comparable to the Nintendo Switch. While the sourcing of the rumor is suspect, it has gained some visibility in larger news outlets over the past day or two, so we figured it was at least worth acknowledging.

The device will apparently feature an entirely new Apple-designed application processor, neglecting to use an A-series or M-series chip. This chip appears to be specifically designed for gaming and is said to feature enhanced GPU performance and improved ray tracing.

Apple is purported to currently be in negotiations with a number of well-known video game studios, including Ubisoft, the maker of popular titles such as "Assassin's Creed," "Far Cry," and "Watch Dogs," about developing games for the new device.

It is unknown where this console would be placed between devices such as the iPad and the Apple TV, which both offer integration with Apple Arcade and support for a host of external controllers, including some that take cues from the Nintendo Switch's design.

Late last year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple was working on a new Apple TV model with a stronger gaming focus and the leaker known as "Fudge" said that Apple was developing a gaming-focused Apple TV with an A14X chip.

It is unclear where these rumors now stand given the recent launch of the second-generation Apple TV 4K, which seemed to take a step back in terms of gaming with its older A12 Bionic processor and the redesigned Siri Remote, which lacks the accelerometer and gyroscope present in its predecessor.

Apple did launch its own games console in 1996 with the Apple Bandai Pippin, which was largely unsuccessful and discontinued following Steve Jobs' return to the company. Rumors about the company re-engaging with the console gaming market have circulated intermittently ever since but have never come to fruition.

The reliable leaker known as "L0vetodream" said last year that Apple was working on its own gaming controller, and after a spate of rumors about a gaming-focused Apple TV product, it is not completely out of the question that Apple could be working on some sort of games console. Even so, without more concrete information it is important to take this rumor with a heavy pinch of salt.

Article Link: Sketchy Rumor Claims Apple Developing Nintendo Switch-Style Gaming C
Click to expand...
MacRumors said:


Apple is working on a Nintendo Switch-style handheld games console, according to a sketchy new rumor coming from Asia.

nintendo-switch.jpg

According to a post on a Korean forum, shared by Twitter user @FrontTron, Apple is developing a portable hybrid games console, comparable to the Nintendo Switch. While the sourcing of the rumor is suspect, it has gained some visibility in larger news outlets over the past day or two, so we figured it was at least worth acknowledging.

The device will apparently feature an entirely new Apple-designed application processor, neglecting to use an A-series or M-series chip. This chip appears to be specifically designed for gaming and is said to feature enhanced GPU performance and improved ray tracing.

Apple is purported to currently be in negotiations with a number of well-known video game studios, including Ubisoft, the maker of popular titles such as "Assassin's Creed," "Far Cry," and "Watch Dogs," about developing games for the new device.

It is unknown where this console would be placed between devices such as the iPad and the Apple TV, which both offer integration with Apple Arcade and support for a host of external controllers, including some that take cues from the Nintendo Switch's design.

Late last year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple was working on a new Apple TV model with a stronger gaming focus and the leaker known as "Fudge" said that Apple was developing a gaming-focused Apple TV with an A14X chip.

It is unclear where these rumors now stand given the recent launch of the second-generation Apple TV 4K, which seemed to take a step back in terms of gaming with its older A12 Bionic processor and the redesigned Siri Remote, which lacks the accelerometer and gyroscope present in its predecessor.

Apple did launch its own games console in 1996 with the Apple Bandai Pippin, which was largely unsuccessful and discontinued following Steve Jobs' return to the company. Rumors about the company re-engaging with the console gaming market have circulated intermittently ever since but have never come to fruition.

The reliable leaker known as "L0vetodream" said last year that Apple was working on its own gaming controller, and after a spate of rumors about a gaming-focused Apple TV product, it is not completely out of the question that Apple could be working on some sort of games console. Even so, without more concrete information it is important to take this rumor with a heavy pinch of salt.

Article Link: Sketchy Rumor Claims Apple Developing Nintendo Switch-Style Gaming Console
Click to expand...
Apple is not developing such a a console.
 
J

JohnApples

macrumors 68000
Mar 7, 2014
1,634
2,776
I thought it would be more likely that Apple creates a gaming service more akin to Stadia than an actual console.

Just like Stadia, they’d advertise that you can stream games with no installs across all your Apple Devices. From Mac to iPhone, and of course to Apple TV to play on the big screen.

I feel like that is a more likely outcome, seeing as Apple’s focus has been on “services” more and more each year, and they have a wide ecosystem of devices that already interact well with hand-off.

I’d be interested in a Stadia-like service that did it better from Apple.
 
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S

_Spinn_

macrumors 601
Nov 6, 2020
4,857
10,041
Wisconsin
Super sketchy indeed. I feel like this rumor comes up every few years. I could see an accessory for the iPhone or iPad but not a whole console.
 
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