Don't have an Intel-based Mac, iPhone, or iPod touch, but still want to sample Spore? EA has launched Spore Origins for iPods, available now. The $4.99 game mirrors the version for generic mobile phones, scaled back slightly from the upcoming iPhone edition.

A rudimentary design tool creates a creature to swim through a pool of simple life. Click-wheel taps steer inside an overhead eat-or-be-eaten scenario. After gathering enough nutrients and additional parts, you'll upgrade the critter, adding an extra tail for faster swimming, a horn weapon, or other upgrades, for example.

Spore Origins for iPod requres a 3rd-generation iPod nano, iPod classic, or 5th-generation iPod. The complete version of Spore launches for Macs on September 7, and Spore Origins for iPhones will be released about the same day.