For months now, the flurry of patents filed by Apple for touch-sensitive screens has been fueling persistent (and rather sensational) rumors about what's purported to be a new series of devices from the company.

Plus, about a month ago, Apple began informing some of its partners and retailers that it's placed the top-of-the-line 60GB iPod on an "at risk" list, which means that the company may soon be updating it, dropping its price - or replacing it altogether. The iPod has been on the endangered list for about a month already.

It seems fairly certain, though, that Apple's coming up with something a bit more special than just an iPod. Out of the seven patents that've been filed to date, the most recent one, filed just last March 9, is for "operation of a computer (italics ours) with touch screen interface". This seems to be borne out by the images that accompany one of the patent applications, a couple of which are on the left.

Something in the vein of Microsoft's Origami, perhaps? An improvement on the Tablet PC? Or something else entirely (we can't rule this possibility out, given Apple's reputation as an innovator)? A lot of people - ourselves included - just can't wait to find out.

Research and investment firm Piper-Jaffray has joined the Apple-wireless/mobile-prediction fray (pardon the pun).  The company believes that there's a 75% chance that an "iPhone" or cellphone-based product would be announced and/or introduced within the next 12 months.

Speculation that Apple would do so was ignited by an announcement a few weeks ago by iPod chipmaker PortalPlayer, which said it and wireless solutions provider CRS were going to enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on its next-gen chip.  PortalPlayer's chips have been part and parcel of each and every single iPod (except the low-tech shuffle) ever since the iPod's inception, and it's not too much of a conceptual jump from a so-called "Wi-Pod" to an "iPhone" - they'd run on the same technology.  

We're expecting Piper-Jaffray's announcement to fan everyone's excitement to a fever pitch.  Which is precisely what Apple would need and want in the run-up to the introduction of something this significant and risky.  Let's see where all this leads.

The second announcement from todayÂ?s Apple product launch is another direct hit for the rumor sites. iPod HifiÂ?a large boombox style device which can run from 6 D-size batteries, or from the mains. It has a sealed resin enclosure holding three speakers, which does not vibrate when the volume is cranked up high. The iPod Hifi contains two 80mm mid range drivers in sealed acoustic suspension and a 130mm dual voice coil woofer with a ported bass reflex design. It can be controlled by the Apple Remote.

Any iPod (even a Shuffle) can be plugged in to drive the iPod Hifi, and (via an iPod firmware update already released today) can be set to Â?speaker modeÂ?, whereby itÂ?s screen will dim to show just the album artwork while youÂ?re cranking up the tunes.

The iPod Hifi is on sale today, at $349. ItÂ?s basically the iPod taken to a higher level of sound qualityÂ?letting your pocket music machine power some serious speakers.