App Store update allows iPhone games to be gifted

Apple has updated the iTunes App Store to support gifting of iPhone and iPod touch apps, which of course includes games.

This is a good news for avid iPhone users in the habit of recommending games to friends because now you can simply gift copies as part of your pleas to play.

The feature has long been a part of iTunes where music - both individual tracks and albums - can be sent as a gift.

To gift a game to a friend, press the arrow to the left of the "Buy App" button underneath the app icon. This opens a drop-down menu with several options including "Gift This App."

Select this option and you're taken to another screen on which to designate the recipient's name and e-mail address. You can even write a personal message. Lastly, you're given the option of sending the gift electronically or printing out a code.

Apple notes that games gifted are redeemable in the territory of origin. In other words, you can't receive a gift from a US iTunes users if you have a UK iTunes account.