Apple files patent for wireless iTunes kiosks

Take the concept behind Redbox (the popular buck-a-night DVD kiosk), add a dash of wireless, stir in generous helping of the iTunes Store, and you'll get the basic idea behind Apple's intriguing, just-released patent application.

AppleInsider has the scoop on the 19-page filing, entitled "Media distribution kiosk with virtual connector for interfacing with a personal media device" and filed with the U.S. patent office back in November 2007.

The patent, which AppleInsider discovered this week, includes a crude sketch of a kiosk that would connect to a "media device" (an iPod or iPhone, I'm assuming) and allow you to browse for, purchase, and download music or videos, without having to hunt for a public Wi-Fi network or deal with the limitations of AT&T's 3G network (which restricts you to downloading music tracks, or podcasts and apps that are smaller than 10MB).

The kiosks could potentially boast their own "local media servers" with a selection the most popular music and movies for speedy transfers, as well as connect to the iTunes Store for a broader range of content (which, presumably, would take longer to download), according to AppleInsider.

iPod and/or iPhone users would connect their devices to the kiosks by (again, potentially) a "virtual physical connection" that would identify the "physical presence of the media device" and deliver music and videos via a "wireless data channel," AppleInsider reports. (Whether that would involve Wi-Fi or another type of wireless connection is an open question.)

The beauty of the wireless iTunes kiosks, according to Apple's patent filing, would be that users could download movies or music to their iPods/iPhones at an airport before a flight, in a shopping mall, a stadium, or at any location "where a wireless service provider's network is not available."

Now, keep in mind that just because Apple filed a patent for an iTunes wireless kiosk doesn't mean it's actually going to happen; indeed, Apple has filed many a patent that never saw the light of day.

That said, I like the idea a lot. I often watch movies and TV shows on my iPhone during long cross-country flights, and I love the idea of loading up a few more episodes or another movie rental during a layover. (Sure, you could always try downloading a 500MB movie rental over an airport Wi-Fi network or a wireless 3G data card—provided you've got several hours to spare.)

What do you think—like the idea of a wireless iTunes kiosk? Think it'll ever happen?

Related:
Apple proposes iTunes kiosks for movie downloads on the go [AppleInsider]