Apple, the creator of home computing solution and of the iPhone, has announced the launch of a new Game Center application, available for the new iOS 4.1, that is set to allow users of Apple devices to join their friends and complete unknowns in a social network designed with gaming in mind.

All those who are interested in Game Center will see it appear on the Home screen, with users able to log in using their Apple ID and stay connected until they decide to log out.

As many e-mail addresses as a player wants can be added to connect to friends and the application allows for video games to be bought and downloaded on the spot.

Users will be able to compare their scores and achievements with others and they will also get a list of what their friends are playing, to make it easier to match video game choices for multiplayer sessions.

The Game Center sounds a lot like a combination of Steam and Xbox Live customized for users of Apple devices and will make it easier for multiplayer gaming communities to get started on those platforms.

The launch of the Game Center was announced at the same event where Steve Jobs talked about how the iPod Touch from Apple has become the most popular portable game player in the world, managing to move more units that the Nintendo DS family and the PlayStation Portable combined.

The Game Center application is a perfect companion to the newly announced redesigned iPod Touch, which is coming with the A4 chip, the new Retina Display, two cameras and a new gyro sensor for more accurate motion sensing.

Both Nintendo and Sony have seen slowdowns in sales of their handhelds and some of that can be attributed to the iPhone and the iPod.

Nintendo is fighting back by cutting the price of the DS handheld and by preparing the launch of the 3DS, which will offer complete three dimensional gaming experiences.

Sony is also rumored to be working on a PSP 2.