Apple's Social Network Is Coming -- Look Out, Facebook!

In addition to new iPods and a new TV-watching device, Apple could introduce a new social network tomorrow. Look out, Facebook!
Okay, it's not a big, elaborate Facebook killer, so Mark Zuckerberg and company don't actually have much to worry about.
But Apple's "Game Center" might take some of Facebook's juice away in iPhone gaming, which could be a drag.
Apple has been preparing a social gaming network for iOS apps for months. The company gave a preview of Game Center at an event in April, and we expect to hear more about it at Apple's iPod event tomorrow. The iPod touch -- arguably Apple's flagship gaming device -- is due for an upgrade, and now seems like a good time to launch Game Center.
The basic features Apple announced in April include the ability to invite friends to play a game against you; have the servers match you up with a random person of the same skill level for a game; leaderboards; and achievements. We assume you'll have a basic profile, and will be able to add friends in various ways, as other social gaming networks function.
Apple isn't the first to launch a social gaming network for the iPhone: Several already exist, such as Ngmoco's Plus+, OpenFeint, and others. Presumably, Facebook would want to have a play here, given how successful its gaming platform has become on Facebook itself.


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