Among the most creative we've come across recently is a suggestion by respected technology website TG Daily that a recent Apple trademark filing suggests the company could be planning to re-enter the console gaming market.

No more Mac

That idea comes from Apple's multiple applications in various territories to have the term 'OS X' protected. That's notable because it doesn't include the word 'Mac'.

The thinking goes something like this – Apple is weakening the connection between OS X and Mac simply because the operating system powers platforms other than computers.

Play for games

That includes just the iPhone and iPod touch at the minute, but could equally apply to a future console or any other domestic device that needs an OS.

Since Apple is clearly intent on making the iPhone a powerful gaming device and will therefore have both the games and an online delivery system (the App Store), why not speculate that it could try to make a play for some of the cash Nintendo and Sony are raking in?

While we like the idea that anyone would challenge the current console giants, it's hard to believe that Apple will do so anytime soon.

Pippin redux?

Anyone with an unhealthy knowledge of the history of home gaming will know that Apple has already tried and failed spectacularly with something called the Pippin in 1995.

Still, Apple rarely does exactly what we expect, so we're not ruling anything out at this stage. Just don't read too much into this little bit of speculation.