Apple Hasn't Forgotten Its TV Hobby, and May Inject Exciting iPhone Apps Into It

With lots of Google TV and other Web TV news hitting at the moment, I asked yesterday where Apple was ... and today there's a well-timed patent filing showing some new tweaks to Apple TV. These include an iPhone "simulator," suggesting Apple's bringing apps to the TV too.

The bulk of the newly revealed Apple patent points to a big refresh to the Apple TV's controls. Apple sets out a way in which its little set-top box could be controlled by third-party remotes, as well as the tiny...