If you thought Apple was content with simply rolling out software stats, its claim that iPod touch is now the best selling portable game player on the planet suggests it's just as keen to push its hardware.

Indeed, that was the big, bold statement Apple made during its Autumn presentation, with Steve Jobs claiming sales of iPod touch now outstrip those of Nintendo DS and PSP combined.

Gaming on the go

"iPod touch has over 50 percent market share for portable gaming in the US and worldwide," Jobs said at the event, which also revealed a fourth generation iPod touch is due for launch in the US next week.

"Over a billion and a half games and entertainment downloads have been made just for the iPod touch alone," he added.

To put such a claim in some kind of context, Nintendo DS and PSP combined sold more than 480,000 units in the US alone in July according to NPD figures, suggesting iPod touch is currently selling at least half a million units a month in Apple's home territory.

As such, its perhaps no surprise that Jobs also confirmed that iPod touch is the most popular device in Apple's line-up, full stop.