A patent filed by Apple in 2007 has been revealed today. The patent was for a 'media distribution kiosk with virtual connector for interfacing with a personal media device', which basically means a vending machine filled with music and movies. The fact that Apple has let this information out now might mean that we'll start to see some of these beauties before the year ends.

What's really exciting about these Apple kiosks is the fact that they are intended to be wireless. Apple was smart enough to realize that if the kiosks had a physical connector they would frequently get gunked up or broken and need replacement. The patent kiosk specified that the device will work by detecting how close the media device is and then a wireless connection opening up when the device is close enough.

When you get connected, you'll be able to scroll through a selection of iTunes music and movies. You'll make your choices, buy your stuff, and it'll download to your iPhone, iPod, or (presumably) MacBook. Then you can run off to catch your flight, or bus, or whatever it is. No longer will you have to endure the misery of badly needing to listen to Rush while at the Supermarket, but not having any of their stuff loaded onto your iPod.

These things will do business like gangbusters in airports and bus stations, and probably college campuses too. Anywhere people are about to sit through something that's boring and lasts three hours. Apple is going to make so much money off of these things, it's silly.