@methodshop

According to DashboardWidgets.com, Apple recently filed for a patent titled "Widget authoring and editing environment." What exactly does this mean and why are people excited about it? DashboardWidgets wrote the following in their blog:

"Dashboard widgets will eventually be able to run on a 'handheld computer, mobile device, consumer electronic device or the like.'

Specifically, 'being that a wireless iPod is connected to the network, these XML based web services would provide live updated information on the fly. I'm sure that you could think of a hundred ways you'll be able to customize your iPod - and that's going to be the fun of a wireless iPod with a cool UI.

Though the current iPod's screen is a little small for widgets, perhaps a future model with a larger screen will let you check the status of your flight, get the weather, check stock prices, and more."

We're just speculating, but when Apple filed for this patent, they potentially told us three things about the next iPod:

1. it will be wireless and be able to connect to the Internet
   
2. people will be able to create game and application Widgets for iPods
   
3. we should expect a bigger screen on the next (R.I.P. Sony PSP?)
   

Sure it's all speculation but the iPods of the future sound very exciting! Right?