another Apple patent application released by the U.S. patent office, this one an invention for a "remote control device that is configurable to gather state information from controlled components."

"For example, the remote control may have one or more cameras, microphones and/or other sensors. The sensors may be configured to operate upon actuation of the remote control device to determine if signals transmitted by the remote control were received and a desired result was achieved."

The website speculates that "it's likely to be integrated into a future iPhone (or other iOS device) instead of it being an add-on app at the App Store. The advanced features being added to Apple remote could be signaling their preparation for a standalone HDTV as it's to control a television and other related entertainment devices."

Our guess is that the iOSsphere doesn't quite know what to make of this, as witnessed by Arnold Kim, at Mac Rumors, who that "it shows Apple's research interests into home entertainment systems and seems relevant given the ongoing rumors of a[n] Apple TV set."