'Rock Band' grabs the iPhone spotlight

Gaming firms EA Mobile, Harmonix Music Systems and MTV Games released a new edition of the popular Rock Band franchise optimized for Apple's iPhone and iPod touch. The $9.99 title, first announced earlier this month, charts players' ascent from dive bars to stadium-tour stardom, collecting rewards and achievements along the way; Rock Band features 20 songs from acts including Smashing Pumpkins, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foo Fighters--in addition, gamers can acquire additional music from acts like Devo and Social Distortion via the App Store's in-app purchase option.

According to EA Mobile, Rock Band for iPhone emphasizes social gaming experiences--players can jam solo or collaborate with up to four bandmates in live Bluetooth multiplayer mode, earning unison bonuses and saving friends that drop out by activating overdrive. In the event no other users are in Bluetooth range, gamers can sync up with Facebook contacts from across the globe, and exploit Rock Band's in-game message center to communicate within the game.

Developed by Harmonix, published by MTV Games and distributed by EA Distribution, Rock Band premiered on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in late 2007--the franchise has since enjoyed sales close to 8 million units in the U.S., and made its mobile debut in mid-September via Verizon Wireless.

In related iPhone news, Apple shipped a best-ever 7.4 million iPhones in its fiscal fourth quarter, topping the 6.9 million smartphones it shipped in the quarter following the launch of the iPhone 3G last year. The iPhone helped anchor Apple's most profitable quarter ever: A net profit of $1.67 billion, up 47 percent from the $1.14 billion profit posted in the year-ago quarter.

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