When there’s a proven idea on the market, an even better idea is to “borrow” the concept for yourself. This is exactly what Apple is doing by filing a patent application for a Wii Remote style wand for use with Apple TV.

This Wiimote-type remote will use IR sensor technologies to access a range of functions including zoom, an on-screen keyboard, an image and illustration application and other media functions.

This move has prompted speculation that Apple may be about to penetrate the gaming market.

As the Wii Remote features very similar technology to Apple’s patent idea, there are further rumours that Apple is getting poised to challenge Nintendo with its own Wii-esque console. Nothing is set in stone though.

According to AppleInsider, “The wand may include an optical component for capturing images of the infrared modules, and may calculate its orientation and distance from the modules based on the captured images.”

So how will the Apple wand work its magic? To navigate your albums or anything else in CoverFlow mode, you will be able to draw a circular pattern towards the screen to rotate the CoverFlow carousel to display different options.

When you enter the Apple TV photo application, similar movements would allow you to search through your thumbnails. You would even be able to use the wand to zoom into images by moving it backwards and forwards in front of the screen.

So even if Apple doesn’t bring on its own version of Mario Kart, this Apple wand will still be very useful and very cool for quite a number of other purposes.

Sources: Apple Insider (via Digital Spy)