Well, that's all well and good, but a different gaggle of experts (Juniper Research, this time) are casting worried glances at the non-iPhone end of the market. Apparently Java game development has "flatlined across North America and Western Europe," although the quoted jump from $5.4 billion in 2008 to more than $10 billion by 2013 doesn't sound that flatliney.

Ironically, it could be the iPhone's fault. "The revenue share offered by Apple to games publishers is incredibly attractive," said the report, "The danger is that if operators do not respond with a similar business model, publishers faced with low margins may simply exit Java completely"

Sales of mobile games have "flatlined" - report [GamesIndustry.biz]

Rather, he thought that there was fun to be had using the phones capabilities - such as the camera - to enhance and interact with the player's surroundings.

"It could be about making you more aware of your surroundings than you would have been without the game, rather than focusing on the game and ignoring your surroundings."

"I can imagine mobile platforms evolving in that way, in that they interact with the world around us in a way that changes our perceptions in a really interesting way," said Wright, "Games could increase our awareness of our immediate environment, rather than distract us from it."

Will Wright talks Spore for DS, iPhone and mobile [Pocket Gamer]

It was a nice idea, hampered slightly by the fact that games had to be rewritten to add support for the thing. Now Nokia has decided to embrace the ZeeMote by releasing downloadable software to let the controller work with almost any S60 app or N-Gage game.

The ZeeKey app is available for free download from the Nokia website and the mobile manufacturer has promised to bundle the app with selected handsets (presumably its more entertainment focused N-Series models).

Zeekey app for Zeemote available for Nokia phones [Pocket Lint]

If a PSPhone does exist, this mock-up is one of the better ones we've seen. The scan, courtesy of NeoGAF member metalmurphy, is clearly labeled as fiction, with the article estimating that such a product has a 35% chance of coming to market. Pretty, yes, but maybe we're just distracted by the Millenium Falcon. A PlayStation Phone, while not a terrible idea, won't be replacing my iPhone any time soon.

Sony Ericsson PSPhone [NeoGAF]

Ryan curiously says "PlayStation almost enjoys cult status" amongst the 200 million-plus who have purchase PlayStation consoles, envisioning a product that is primarily a gaming device and secondarily a phone.

Sony to introduce Playstation phone [Economic Times via CVG]

Despite all of the noise about the amazing potential that a touchscreen pocket computer with all sorts of fancy sensors could have as a gaming device, the truth of the matter is that like everything Apple, the iPhone is likely not going to be very game friendly.

That is because Apple wants to keep tight control over everything that goes on to their platform. Shocker!

Water Cooler Games reports that Apple reps are already referring to the iPhone as a "closed platform" and say that there will not be any public SDJ released. The reps did say you could call up the company if you're interested, but it sounds like they are going to be pretty damn strict about not letting in on their private money-making party.

Add to that the fact that the iPhone will support first party software only and you've got a device that won't be getting anything more exciting than a vanilla Tetris in the next decade.

One more wonderful possibility shot in the foot. Brian Crecente

Apple iPhone: Another Closed Platform [Water Cooler Games]

Steve Jobs will be taking to the stage at Macworld 2007 any second now. We know he's going to be talking about the company's new phone, according to the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, but there's been a presistent rumor that he's also going to be talking about gaming.

Specifically, what I've heard is that Apple want to rev up their casual game production for both the iPod and the new phone. Makes sense. Is it real? We'll find out in the next 30 minutes or so. Brian Crecente

A phone receiver, a PSP and one truly bored individual lead to the creation of this, and I quote, "PSP Stereo Speaker." This post falls under when-modders-get-goofy. That, or drunk. Brian Ashcraft

PSP Phone Doohickey [I'm Bored]

Gotta love the lengths to which knock-offs go. Take this "PSP phone," which looks like, well, a PSP but smaller. What's more, it's possible to play good games, Nintendo games on it, such as Super Mario Bros. It runs MP3s and MP4s as well, and there's a camera built in. Major difference: The back doesn't read PSP, but FUN. Indeed! Brian Ashcraft

It's Like a PSP, But Not [PhoneDaily, Thanks Pimski!]

This batch of screens just popped up in my email. They are, I'm told, the first images of Sony BMG Music Entertainment's Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved Mobile. It looks pretty damn neat, I just hope it turns out better than Lumines, which I heard sucked hard. Jump is home to more screens and the fact sheet. Brian Crecente

Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved Mobile

Publisher: Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Developer: Hardcore3D Wireless in conjunction with Bizarre Creations
Platform: Mobile
Genre: Arcade
Website: http://www.geometrywars.com

Description:
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved Mobile is the Xbox Live Arcade's smash hit faithfully brought to mobile devices. A modern arcade-style game in the spirit of Robotron: 2084, Asteroids, and Tempest, the player controls a "ship" that must annihilate an onslaught of circles, squares, and diamonds. This is the most intense action ever created for cell phones - deep gameplay and simple pick-up-and-play controls combine for the ideal mobile game experience. Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved Mobile brings gamers the addictive action of the original, anywhere and anytime.

Features:
The award winning, #1 Xbox 360 Live Arcade smash hit comes to mobile
From the devious Weavers to fearsome Repulsars, slippery Snakes, and powerful Gravity Wells, it's all here in the mobile version
In the farthest reaches of the galaxy, evil shapes await. The circles, squares, and diamonds are out to get you - destroy them all!
Deep gameplay and simple pick-up-and-play controls
The spectacular visuals will mesmerize as you engage in a limitless, compelling, breathless challenge
Blast away at enemies with unparalleled precision and intensity, 360 degrees of movement and targeting
Intuitive "tap" control allows you strafe or fire in front of you
The weapon system is upgradeable, but only through the point system, upgrading every 10,000 points. New weapon upgrades at 10,000 points, new lives every 75,000 points and new bombs every 100,000 points
New features such as numerous Challenge Modes (such as Untouchable, Survivor, and Points Monster), where players will try to reach a defined objective. The player can post his best times or scores for each challenge on a local challenge list and a network leader board.

It seems we hear a lot about Sony's plans for this or that, but the PSP in particular is subject to hopeful speculation and encouragement.

Now rumors of Playstation entering the phone market are beginning to bubble, perhaps even by making the PSP itself into a phone.

In fact, for some users the PSP may even be able to replace the phone. "There is a possibility," said Kawanishi. "I won't deny it. Personally, I'm interested in it. Of course, it's not the case that you can connect to wireless LAN everywhere, so you can't call it a permanent connection. But cell phones are permanently connected. Cell phones get more interesting as their data transfer rate increases, and I think it would be extremely interesting to try something like that."

Can you guess what I'm still bitter about? Come on, guess. That's right, KEYBOARD. Eliza Gauger

Sony May Introduce Playstation Phone [Gamedaily.biz]

Apparently, the game is imminently, if not immediately, avaialable to Cingular customers and features all the lovable teddy bears from America's favorite mobster sitcom: Tony, Paulie, even Silvio! Play 5 Card Draw with the amoral reprobates who would sooner shoot you in the head than buy a pizza!

The Sopranos Pick Up Poker [1UP]