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Apple, in a bid to better compete with Nintendo DS and Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP), may be considering a separate section of its App Store devoted to games at $19.99. Part of the problem with the App store for major game publishers is the sheer number of games available makes it hard to stand out.

With all of the independent game developers out there the App Store boasts over 1500 games. They are the most popular category and represent roughly 25 percent of all applications available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The top 100 list naturally leans towards less expensive, popular games.

Evidence is mounting that a next-generation iPhone is in the works and may be released this summer. Apple's Senior Vice President of Marketing, Phill Schiller, has verified that the annual product cycle for the iPhone is in June, as we all know from the initial release and upgrade to iPhone 3G. This alone is not enough, however.

Firmware update 2.2.1 (5H11a) for iPhone and iPod Touch is now available from Apple via iTunes. Besides some bug fixes, 2.2.1 also includes a baseband update, which brings the modem firmware to version 02.30.03. The iPhone Dev-Team immediately suggested that users with jailbroken and/or unlocked devices wait for further instructions while they continue to inspect the update.

Two new Apple patent filings have recently been published that could possibly be incorporated into the next generation iPhone. The first is an audio jack cleaning adaptor for portable electronic devices. Two different methods of cleaning would both essentially force compressed air through a conduit and hollow channels in the plug to displace lint and debris that have accumulated in the jack.

According to Apple, "A consumer could place the adaptor plug in the jack, couple the conduit to the plug, and then apply compressed air through the conduit to clean the jack." Although this sounds perfectly functional, the second patent may actually be more useful on a day-to-day basis.

iPhone owners using iGoogle as of late will find that the site has changed its look. In fact, the iGoogle address formerly devoted to the iPhone now redirects to a standard Google mobile website. Why did Google opt to remove what was arguably the superior interface, and replace it with a site that is more difficult to use and has less features?