Apple is seeking to update their long list of trademarks to include video games, specifically for handhelds.

The company has filed an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, covering "toys, games and playthings, namely, handheld units for playing electronic games; handheld units for playing videogames; stand alone videogame machines; electronic games other than those adapted for use with televisions receivers only; LCD games machines, electronic educational game machines; toys, namely battery-powered computer games."

"Playthings" sounds a little dubious, if you ask me.  That is quite a list, though it shouldn't come as a complete surprise.  Rumors that Apple would try to wiggle its way into the gaming industry have been circulating for some time now.

In fact, the 5th generation iPod already has a modest medley of supported games, provided by EA, Namco, PopCap, and FreshGames.  Various familiar titles like Tetris, Zuma, and Bejeweled have been available through iTunes for some time now, and each game costs $4.99 to download.

We all make cracks about Macs being rather impotent when it comes to gaming, but could Apple be proving us wrong with this recent activity?  Are they content with merely providing us with cute little gadgets and dancing silhouettes?  It may be too early to say for certain.