There is a new Apple patent application that has started a lot of speculation among bloggers and analysts. Some people think that the company is planning the release of a special iPhone light version that is to focus on music and voice communication, kind of like an iPhone Nano. The US Patent and Trademark Office got this request for a patent to use a scroll wheel, similar to that of the iPod for a way to control the device. In the official application it can be read:

“The invention pertains to a user interface for controlling an electronic device, particularly a multifunctional device that is capable of operating in multiple modes as for example a phone mode for communications and a media player mode for playing audio files, video files and the like.”

This brought up speculation that Apple might be planning a release of a cheaper iPhone that could lack Wi-Fi support, calendaring, e-mail, Web access capability and other functions. The new device should use a scroll wheel to control the music player and voice communication. UnwiredView.com reported:

“While there is a huge market and a lot of happy potential iPhone users, the market for a cheap and simple device like iPhone Nano, that just makes calls, plays your music and does it really well, may be just as big.”

Such a device would come against the iPhone’s biggest innovation, the touch-screen interface but could prove popular among users because of lower costs and similarity with the iPod Nano.