Apple exec claims PSP, DS are ＇in the past＇

Speaking in aninterview with T3 Magazine Online, Apple VP of iPod/iPhone Marketing Greg Joswiak proclaimed that portable game consoles like Sony's PSP and Nintendo's DS are "more in the past", while Apple's own iPhone represent the future of portable gaming. Joswiak feels that the current portable systems are tied too closely to physical game media, while the iPhone/iPod Touch is geared entirely towards online revenue streams via the iTunes app store: 

"That [electronic distribution] changes everything. Whereas apps on other devices have to be delivered primarily physically, they cost a lot more, £25 versus almost all the games cost £5, because they don’t have to worry about licensing and manufacturing hardware, they don’t have to worry about forecasting, returns, missing the forecast, what happens if there’s a problem with the product, you have the full back inventory here, again not only can the customer buy the apps from the apps store on every device, every iPod Touch and iPhone, but it also gives the developer the ability to update."

Besides the distribution and price advantage, Joswiak also mentions the 3D capabilities of their hardware versus Nintendo's in the interview, as well as the convenience of having phone, MP3, and games all in one device.

While some of Joswiak's arguments in favor of the iPod/iPhone over Sony PSP are definitely outdated, game devs are beginning to take a closer look at Apple's platform as a gaming device, including id Software. I have a hard time seeing Apple locking down exclusive titles with blockbuster names like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo do though.