I was going to write about Apple's gaming moves but while putting some links together, I see Brian Caulfield of Forbes did the work for me.

Apple appears to be preparing an all-out assault on the handheld gaming market, moving to snap up gaming industry insiders from Microsoft to go with its growing team of graphics-chip specialists.

News that Apple has poached Richard Teversham from Microsoft's Xbox business this week is only the latest sign Apple has gotten serious about the gaming business. Teversham, who was senior director for insights and strategy at Microsoft's Xbox Business, drove the "three year strategy for the Xbox business" in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Earlier this week Apple hired Bob Drebin, chief technologist at Advanced Micro Device's graphics group and the creator of the Nintendo Gamecube's graphics processor.

That move came as IBM chip designer Mark Papermaster began his role as head of Apple's iPod business last month after a long legal tussle with IBM.

Apple is also putting some of its huge pile of cash into semiconductor technology. In December, Apple purchased 3.6% of U.K.-based ImagInation, licensing its PowerVR graphics technology. And last year Apple purchased processor designer PA Semi for $378 million.

With 17 million iPhones sold, 13 million iPod touch users and iPhone games flying off the (virtual) shelves, you have to figure this is inevitable. Rumors of Apple embracing the gaming community have been around as long as Apple has been round, but now with two of their strongest brands being embraced by a younger generation they have a loyal user base just waiting for a product. -- And the handheld gaming market is mammoth.

Over 100 million DS units have been sold and Sony just crossed the 50 million mark for their PSP.  Presently there are about 16 million MMOG subscribers. The MMOG possibilities for Apple are endless although it would probably bring the poor AT&T network to its knees.

With numbers like those, I don't think it is a matter of IF Apple will jump in the market but WHEN... Based on nothing other than my spider sense, I'd say look for something by this Christmas selling season.