There was some very exciting news hot on the heels of the recent PAX East. And it seems the console war seems to have stepped up a little with a new challenger waiting to take Microsoft's crown. It's just been revealed that Apple are yet again trying to follow in Microsoft's footsteps and have announced the coming of their console, The iPear.

Apple have teamed up with telecommunications giant Orange to bring (in their words) “the fruitiest gaming experience with included “all you can eat” broadband” and other exclusive content never before seen or imagined in a console.” Brave words....

So, what will The iPear be bringing us? Not only will it be bringing a slew of exclusive games with exclusive content in an attempt to steal candy from Microsoft's mouth but will when bought through internet/mobile phone provider Orange will offer free broadband at an astonishing 50MB and other goodies such as Apple's own brand of Netflix called iFlix. 

In itself iFlix offers something very special in the fact that it will carry alternate endings, extra scenes and more importantly complete rewrites of some films. And all for free. One big name signed up for this is Saw, which for the Pear will be named iSaw. 

In a press conference this week, Apple spokesman and head of iPear David Maydupp said that “Apple is very excited about this new venture and we should expect to see bonus content with new and already existing games.” He went on to mention GTA IV complete with Hot Coffee in 3D, Final Fantasy XVII (apparently a remake of FFVII set 10 years later) and also another new  Duke Nukem game whose code was allegedly found behind a water cooler at Gearbox's offices last month. He also went on to say that “Apple was striving to take the experience in constantly new directions, with bonus content and services each month” and made sure that we were all reassured that Apple isn't just taking existing ideas like phones and download services and adding an “i” to the name and making it their own.

Finally, there's that “fruity” dalliance with Orange. The French phone giant is teaming up with Apple to bring us a “whole new fruit bowl of delights” including free broadband when bought with the console as well as “special connectivity” with the iPad, iPhone and iMac.

Stay tuned here for more news on the Apple iPear which is seemingly much more than just a Cockney rhyming slang inspired console. More news is due on April 31st, so check it out and remember you heard it here first!