Not only did Apple announce a marauding horde of new iPods and an adorable micro AppleTV yesterday, it also revealed that an Xbox Live-ish service called Game Center is coming out next week along with the system update for iPhones and iPod Touches.

Once you sign up and choose a screen name, you’ll be able to compare your scores with those of friends scores and join them in games that offer online play. The service will be free but will “make it easier to discover new games,” meaning it’s basically an advertising vehicle to pimp new apps to you.

iPad owners won’t get in on this action until November.

Apple’s Answer To Xbox Live Launches Next Week [Kotaku]

Previously: New AppleTV Is Smaller, Cheaper, Allows For Netflix Streaming

Apple Debuts Overhauled Line Of iPods

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