Let’s just assume, for the time being, that the Think Secret story about a forthcoming “true” video iPod is correct.

People have been busy making mock-ups which certainly make it look like an attractive, shiny little device. But wait a second - remember a certain problem with scratches on the first wave of iPod nanos?

If such a widescreen iPod does appear (iPod Pro, perhaps?), Apple needs to be paying extra attention to the surface, making it resistant to scratches and providing some way for owners to keep it clean. When the machine is sitting in a bag or pocket, playing music and not videos, it would have to be kept in a sleeve or protective case. I’ve no doubt that a simple sleeve would come in the box, but you’d be, uh, encouraged to splash out 20 or 30 more dollars on something a bit nicer.

As lots of folks have already pointed out, watching video content through a haze of sticky fingerprints and smudges won’t be anyone’s idea of fun.

So wouldn’t it be nice if the video iPod included something else, some other way to keep your mucky little paws away from that pristine display? Something like an Apple Remote, perhaps?