The Rumour Mine: fourth-gen iPod touch, Devil May Cry for iPhone, and Risk for iPad

Things have gone pretty quiet in these few weeks leading up to Worldwide Developers Conference and E3, which signifies that developers and publishers alike are preparing to unleash some spectacular news.

Of course, I'm here to give you the scoop on it all well ahead of either show beginning with two games and some new hardware from Apple. It's not exactly a surprise, though, that Apple is working on a next generation line of iPod touch devices, although the fact that one has seemingly been leaked is fairly shocking.

Equally so is the unbelievable word that Capcom is planning an iPhone and iPod touch version of Devil May Cry. If it could work for Ninja Gaiden on Nintendo DS (hey, why hasn't that game made it to iPhone yet?), then what's to stop Capcom from bringing Dante and friends to iPhone? After all, Street Fighter IV proved a lot of assumptions wrong.

EA Mobile drafting developers for iPad version of Risk

EA has done pretty well by Hasbro with its adaptations of Scrabble, Monopoly, and other boardgames for iPhone and iPod touch. Conversions of those games are on their way to iPad, with Scrabble already proving that EA is working hard to put its best foot-forward on iPad. One game going straight for iPad is Risk.

It's a no-brainer, really. The device is tailor-made for a turn-based strategy game like Risk and positive buzz surrounding Chillingo's Dominion HD demonstrates an interest. EA proper is already developing a version of Risk for console, so it's not surprising that the mobile division is eager to push an iPad version out before the year's end.

Talk of an iPhone and iPod touch version has been going on, though if it happens expect a release well after the marquee iPad edition.

Capcom's big sequel is Devil May Cry for iPhone

Japanese publisher Capcom has turned on the E3 hype machine, teasing a blockbuster announcement relating to a big franchise. While it's easy to think the announcement will be a surprise due to the nature of the series, what is sure to shock is the platform on which this big sequel will end up: iPhone and iPod touch.

During the heyday of PSP, rumours swirled of a portable version of Devil May Cry. Sources indicate that the early work on that cancelled game has been reignited with an eye for iPhone. The tenuous state of PSP outside of Japan is causing Capcom to shift its focus toward Apple platforms, particularly given the critical and commercial success of Street Fighter IV.

Capcom still plans on supporting PSP with Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, original role-playing game The Last Ranker, and Resident Evil Portable (nowhere to be found since its unveiling at E3 2009). Yet, president Haruhiro Tsujimoto has pledged more support for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad and Devil May Cry looks to be an excellent start.

The goal is to release before the end of 2010, though that may get pushed back to January or February 2011.

Camera-equipped fourth-generation iPod touch out in September

Last year iPod touch was in the shadow of a sleek new iPod nano upgrade that included a camera for shooting short videos, not to mention a revised form factor. Come September, iPod touch will retake the spotlight with its own camera makeover.

Following the Apple tradition of unveiling new iPod hardware at autumn's inception, the company should be debuting a fourth-generation line of iPod touch devices boasting cameras, increased storage capacity, and out-of-the-box support for iPhone OS 4.0. Rob reported on a prototype of the new iPod touch supposedly leaked to a Vietnamese website, yet not every detail was revealed regarding the new device.

Obviously the addition of a camera will enable the taking of photos and video (a microphone situated next the camera lens captures audio for the complete experience), yet it's worth noting that the inclusion of what seems to be a modest feature will guarantee that all iPhone games will be playable on a fourth-generation iPod touch. Currently, games that utilise the camera and/or microphone do not function on an iPod touch because those features are missing.

Also of note is the installation of iPhone OS 4.0 and a new high capacity model that offers 128GB of storage. 32GB and 64GB versions will be sold as well, while the third-generation models will be discounted to clear stock with an eye for standardising the new units over the holiday season.