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Following in the footsteps of the successful Apple iPad and iPhone, Nintendo developed its next generation console, the Wii U, around a touchscreen controller. With the Wii U controller, console players can continue their games even when the TV is off.

Last week, The Daily announced that Nintendo is working on an app store to accompany its touchscreen controller, which will be able to play apps independently from the console. According to a new rumor, Nintendo is seeking help from iOS developers in order to port iOS games to the Wii U.

Apparently, Nintendo approached a software developer in Los Angeles and offered to provide the developer with assistance porting and publishing software to be played on the Wii U controller. Because of non-disclosure agreements, no further information is available and the rumor can’t be confirmed.

However, the source states that Nintendo is planning on a digital e-reader service, which will allow Wii U owners to download books, magazines, comics, and other publications, similar to Apple’s iBooks. The touchscreen controller would work much like any other portable e-reader, allowing reading, browsing, and page turning directly from the screen. This is a totally unsubstantiated rumor at this point, and has not been confirmed by any other source, though it does make sense that the company would have books in a limited capacity – porting over Nintendo Power and its Prima Strategy Guides.

That Nintendo is working on an app store is a given (it would be silly not to with a touchscreen controller), so it’s not surprising to hear that the company is approaching iOS developers for app development assistance. Whether Nintendo will be able to build an app store on the scale of current app markets is unknown at this point. It’s definitely an ambitious undertaking and one that is poised to make or break Nintendo’s upcoming Wii U console.