While rumors about a possible Apple TV have lessened in recent days, probably because we’ve all moved onto the “next iPhone” rumors, a patent recently granted to Apple may once more spark discussion about Apple television plans.
With Apple’s rumored plans for a television set continuing to gain momentum, Patently Apple notes that a reappearance of the patent as it has finally been granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will once again spark interest in Apple’s television plans.
Along with a number of figures showing Apple’s concepts for television menus, the patent also includes a figure showing the use of an iPod-like device as a remote control for the content.
The rumors of an Apple foray into the television set business has been around for a long period of time. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene (No Relation to Herman) Munster has almost made a mini career out of being a strong proponent for such a device.
The rumors gained new life with the publication of Steve Jobs’ authorized biography late last year. In the book, Jobs was quoted as saying he had “finally cracked” the way to create a truly easy to use television set built around “the simplest interface you could imagine”.
