Apple Embraces Casual Gaming

The consumer electronics maker is rolling out games for the iPod and is in talks with EA about games for the forthcoming iPhone

As iconic as Apple may be in consumer electronics—from personal computing to digital music and, now, mobile phones—it hasn't exactly set the gaming world on fire. The Mac lags behind competing brands in gaming software.

But in recent months, Apple has shown a new openness to gaming by introducing a spate of titles for its iPod digital music players. The company tapped several game publishers, including Electronic Arts and Namco, to deliver a selection of casual games. Titles include classics such as Tetris and Pac-Man, updates of old staples like the Arkanoid-inspired Vortex, and diversions with current pop-culture cachet like Sudoku and Texas Hold'em.