Apple posted a new patent application at the end of last week that indicates some pretty big changes coming with the next generation of iPod. The patent features two main components: one that will see the demise of the innovative and brilliant 'scroll wheel' and one that indicates that new iPods could boast decent digital cameras. The potential new device, which sports a screen almost as big as the entire device, proposes a bezel control system where users would touch parts of frame around the display. The tender states:

"An electronic device has a display and has a touch sensitive bezel surrounding the display. Areas on the bezel are designated for controls used to operate the electronic device. Visual guides corresponding to the controls are displayed on the display adjacent the areas of the bezel designated for the controls. Touch data is generated by the bezel when a user touches an area of the bezel. The device determines which of the controls has been selected based on which designated area is associated with the touch data from the bezel. The device then initiates the determined control. The device can have a sensor for determining the orientation of the device. Based on the orientation, the device can alter the areas designated on the bezel for the controls and can alter the location of the visual guides for the display so that they match the altered areas on the bezel."

In addition, the folks over at ZD Net think that the artwork provided is ample evidence for an ‘iPodcam’, a large screen iPod with a good digital camera. However, it should be remembered that with Apple – and many other companies – just because they patent something doesn’t mean they’ll make it.

Apple has pulled some ‘smoke and mirrors’ effects in the past: could this be just another one?

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