Seems that Apple is thinking about ditching the old clickwheel navigation in lieu of a touch-sensitive screen on future iPods, if this filing (filed back in June ‘06) at the US Patent and Trademark Office’s site has anything to say about it…

Much like mouse gesturing (the mouse equivalent of keyboard shortcuts), you’ll be able to control your iPod by simply touching the screen bezel to adjust volume, fast forward though songs and playlists, etc.

Seems like a pretty cool idea, but think about all the greasy fingerprints you’ll have to constantly wipe off your ‘pod. ;) Apple has a history of filing patents for stuff that may never, ever come to light in a consumer product. But it’s an idea who’s time has come.