It's a simple fact that console gaming systems are perhaps more ubiquitous than PCs. Nearly every living room has either a Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo system plugged into their TV. Some even have a Sega system in the form of a DreamCast or Genesis. But now Apple may be looking to steal a slice of the console pie from its competitors.

Apple has been hiring game developers for some time now, and has recruited a small army of game programmers. Some have speculated that Apple may simply be trying to write more games for their iPod music players. But honestly, the iPod hardware doesn't allow for much in they way of next-gen graphics. Anyone with an SDK could conceivably program a few iPod games. But for Apple to enter the console wars, that's a whole other avenue of digital entertainment for Apple.

In the past, both Microsoft and Sony, with Nintendo to some lesser degree, have used console gaming to introduce new technology to the living rooms of consumers. Case in point being Blu-ray. Seeing it in console form first means we'll be seeing it move to the PC front very soon. And if Apple were to develop a console system, they would defiantly have the ability to provide a top notch on-line gaming experience for their subscribers. So far, only Microsoft has been able to dominate the on-line console world with their Xbox Live service.

But perhaps this a method for Apple to help people make the 'switch'. As has been seen with both the Xbox 360 and the PS3, a robust OS helps to give users more than just fancy games. I wouldn't be at all surprised if some console vendors started to retail office and paint programs for their console systems. If Apple were to build a strong gaming platform that doubles as a computer, then they could conceivably steal away a great portion of the market share from its competitors.

Apple will have to do their home work though. Back in 1995, 1996 Apple joined forces with Bandi to build the Apple Pippin. It was a console system, and it was a horrible failure. But if Apple does try to build a next-gen console, they could incorporate such features as a digital video recorder, streaming audio, on-line services, you name it.