Apple drops iPod prices, new iPod will be announced

Today, Apple is scheduled to announce a line of new iPods (or some mysterious announcements) starting today at 1pm EST. In the meantime, it seems the company is preparing for the new stock by cutting prices on existing models. Currently, here are the new prices:

iTouch:
8GB = $189
16GB = $249
32GB = $279

Nano:
16GB $149
8GB $129

Rumor is that the new iPods will include camera and microphone support. Additionally, rumors of The Beatles finally coming to iTunes have been swirling. Check back later today for a full report!

Harvest Moon: Frantic Farming arrives on iPhone

Gamers looking for a farming friendly title on-the-go will find comfort in Natsume's just released title, Harvest Moon: Frantic Farming. The puzzle based game takes place in the world of Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness, presenting different challenges that test your speed and smarts. The game is also available for the Nintendo DS.

Golvellius: Valley of Doom (the other Zelda) hits iPhone

Publisher DotEmu has announced a partnership with D4 Enterprise to release title Golvellius: Valley of Doom, in August for the iPod Touch and iPhone. The game has long been considered the Sega Master system's closest thing to The Legend of Zelda.

"Golvellius is a wonderful addition to our license portfolio and we are pleased to bring Golvellius to the iPhone and iPod Touch for a great retrogaming experience," said Xavier Liard, co-founder and CEO of DotEmu.

The game originally debuted in 1987 by Compile Games , serving as one of the best adventure titles of the SMS.

PlayStation iPhone case

I bet re-reading that headline 3 times still didn't have it make sense. Company Etsy created an felt iPhone case that is designed to look like a miniature PlayStation. (ohh! now i get it.)

For just $20, the cost of most iPhone cases, this PS clone promises to protect your iPhone all while looking adorable. The PS controller, however, is $7 extra. Whoever said coolness had a price?

Gizmodo

Top Gun now available on iPhone (Danger Zone not included)

Inspired by the film, a Top Gun game has just been released for the iTunes App Store. As a member of the US Navy Fighter Weapons School, your mission is to become the next Top Gun.

“Over twenty years after its debut, ‘Top Gun’ remains one of the most popular, iconic movies of all time,” said John Kavanagh, senior vice president, Video Games of Paramount Digital Entertainment. “This unique Top Gun app puts that thrilling cinematic experience at your fingertips. Using the accelerometer and innovative Multi-Touch user interface in iPhone and iPod touch allowed us to create epic aerial battles and hugely entertaining gameplay that's sure to bring out the Maverick in all of us.”

The game also includes mini games such as car flying and volleyball. Top Gun launches at just $1.99, and will rise to its regular price of $3.99 shortly after.

Rollercoaster Rush heads to iPhone

Digital Chocolate, today announced that 3D Rollercoaster Rush is now available on Apple's App Store. Adapted specifically for iPhone and iPod touch, this game will thrill players with its stunning 3D graphics and expertly crafted tracks with realistic coaster physics.

“We were thrilled to see the original Rollercoaster Rush become a top downloaded game in June," said Trip Hawkins, CEO of Digital Chocolate. “Apple customers who enjoyed the original are going to love this 3D version where camera angles shift with the coaster.”

3D Rollercoaster Rush comes with 40 different rollercoaster tracks set in the Wild West, each with a Challenge Race Mode where you can play against the designer of the game! The game leverages the devices’ accelerometer feature allowing players to easily accelerate and brake by tilting the device to make the carts go faster and slower.

3D Rollercoaster Rush is available for $4.99 from Apple’s App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.

PSPgo to feature app store? Obviously!

With the upcoming launch of the PSPgo, at a price tag to be disputed until the end of time, one can only theorize what the lack of physical software discs will mean for the portable gaming handheld. Ditching the UMD's for downloadable titles is a "forced" maneuver, one that will be interesting to see unfold. But with downloadable games, also comes the ability (and demand) for downloadable apps.

According to Destructoid, Sony is working on a PSPgo app store, which will offer limitless possibilities to developers and publishers, as long as their apps can fit within the allotted 100 MB. At this point, this is still a rumor, but with the iPhone and DSi (calculators and clocks count as apps, right?) already jumping on the app bandwagon, a PSPgo app store is inevitably just around the bend.

Run Apple! The ESRB is coming for you

According to Kotaku, the ESRB has expressed interest in setting up a rating system for the Apple iTunes App Store. The President of the ESRB, Patricia Vance, sees app ratings as a positive step for parents to become well informed. Ratings will undoubtedly hurt sales of more mature content, but Apple currently rejects content that they deem is too racy or unfit. In some ways, an ESRB rating system may help bring more mature content, something that is welcomed in a world of cute and cuddly apps!

Apple has yet to comment, but adapting the game ratings currently in place for video games would be an easy transition, leaving the monitoring in the hands of the ESRB. Sounds like an inevitable outcome.

New iPhone 3GS announced

Apple as expected announced at the WWDC the next version of the iPhone. The iPhone 3GS is actually around 4 times faster than the 3G with speeds around 7.2Mbps HSDPA, adding voice commands, and 30fps VGA recording with video editing features.

The new iPhone also include a 3 megapixel camera with improved camera features such as auto white balance, and auto focus.

More details to come!

Engadget

Video Games Pwn Hollywood

Recent NPD reports show that more people are playing video games than going to the movies.  The NPD data shows that 63% of Americans have played a video game in the last six months, whereas only 53% have left the house to watch a movie.

What does this mean for the two industries?

Well, it means that both are making tons o' cash.  In a recession period with high unemployment rates, the fact that 53% of the population is going to see movies and 63% are playing video games means that a lot of money is being spent on entertainment.

But what the heck gamers, have a field day!  Tell all your "scriptwriter" and "film maker" friends to get real jobs and stimulate this economy.

Peggle hits Apple App Store

Good news Peggle fans. PopCap games has announced the release of Peggle for the iPhone and iTouch.

Peggle has been downloaded more than 50 million times, as well as being one of the most critically acclaimed casual games. The new iPhone/iTouch version was specially developed to "optimize this version of one of our favorite games to one of the world's coolest devices, so that it was just right," stated Andrew Stein, director of mobile business development at PopCap. This includes unmatched touch controls, a special 'zoom' feature, a new trophy system and more precision in aiming controls.

You can buy the game from the iTunes App Store for $4.99.

iPhone Headshots

Earlier this morning Konami announced that their Silent Scope franchise is heading for the iPhone. Based on the 1999 arcade game, Silent Scope puts players in the role of the world's greatest sniper whose mission is to save the President and his family after they have been abducted by terrorists in Chicago.

"Silent Scope allows players to conceal their firearms and perfect their sharpshooting skills wherever they go,"said Anthony Borquez, Vice President of Konami Mobile and Online.

Here's to hoping no one takes that quote too literally. For more information, please visit www.konami.com/touch.