As developers and publishers digest the new features in Apple's iPhone 3.0 software, they continue to be extremely positive about its potential for game development.

"Some of the features, like iPod Library Access, will allow everyone to simply have a more integrated experience on the device," says Ed Allard, VP of PopCap's videogame platform studio.

"The effect seems a little subtle, but I think it’ll have a really positive impact on the iPhone as a gaming platform. Other features just completely change the way you think about designing your games."

Allard cites the new Peer To Peer features as one example, although he points out that multiplayer is already a common capability on other games platforms.

"I’m more interested in the in-app purchasing and push notification services," he says. "I predict that those features will result in some really cool new design approaches that will end up feeling really natural and integrated in the always-on-the-go iPhone environment."

We've been trying to draw developers on their plans to include iPhone 3.0 features in their games later this year, but like most of them, Allard is remaining tight-lipped for now.

"We can’t talk about any of our upcoming products, but you can be sure that we are actively talking about the 3.0 announcement and how we are going to incorporate the new features into our upcoming titles."