Rumors: iPod to get new Podcast menu?

Sure you can already listen to podcasts on your iPod right now. No "special menu" necessary. So we don't need a podcast menu, do we? Apparently a recent patent filing suggests otherwise.

A November 23rd 2006 patent application, discovered by Crunchgear, shows an "iPodcasts" menu as part as a method for browsing podcasts. You can look at the application yourself here.

A ZDNet article has a more complete run-down of the actual patented workflow which seems to run like this: 1. Display podcasts. 2. Allow user to select and play podcasts.

Isn't intellectual property wonderful?