Olin: Those that forget DS is the number one portable are "silly"

Joseph Olin, president of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, has reminded us that while Apple sells a gazillion Apps and games for iPod and iPhone, Nintendo DS is still number one when it comes to portable gaming.

Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with VG247 during GDC, Olin said that those who forget about DS being number one in the portable market are "silly".

"What everybody seems to forget is that despite its popularity, the iPod and iPhone are not the number one portable entertainment platforms: it’s the DS," he told us," and those who forget that are silly.

"I don’t think Nintendo's concerned with the iPod and iPhone, but they are very aware people make choices all the time, and the good thing is that you can still own both and do different things on them".

As far as rumors pertaining to Sony creating another device for the portable market, a phone with gaming capabilities, Olin says that it's not so far fetched after all.

"Could Sony enter the entertainment phone business? Sure they could," he said. "There’s the Sony Ericsson joint venture which has done well, their camera phones have done well, and while they haven’t done anything yet that is an all encompassing device, there is the PSP go that you can use Skype on and wi-fi-based calling: there is a market for it".

You can read Part 1 of our interview with Mr. Olin through here, where he discusses social and mobile gaming.

Part 2 of our interview with Joesph Olin will be posted next week. Be sure to check back so you can get his thoughts on whether or not independents are compromised in the marketplace, and if 3D will succeed in its planned take-over of global entertainment.