[thelostone]

Rumours that Apple could launch a standalone handheld games device to rival the DS and PSP have been sparked after a listing appeared at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The iPod creator has filed an application to cover 'handheld units for playing electronic games; handheld units for playing videogames, standalone videogame machines; electronic games other than those adapted for use with television receivers only; LCD games machines, electronic educational game machines; toys, namely battery-powered computer games'.

Apple, which currently sells games for its iPod player after striking deals with EA, PopCap and Namco, has long been rumoured to take a larger slice of the lucrative games market.

But industry watchers said they are sceptical that the firm would launch a device to rival the DS, claiming it prefers to create multimedia gadgets.