The iPod touch is a great device, unfortunately, Apple neutered it in a few ways to push iPhone sales. One of which that really bugs me is the lack of a speaker.

With the February SDK about to be released, iPod touch is primed and ready to be a first-class PDA. Problem is, it lacks a speaker. It also lacks a microphone. This is going to become the most glaring problem as people come up with innovative iPhone applications… that will seem out-of-place on iPod touch.

Third-parties however can fill the gap. There are already clip-on speakers for other iPods, I’d love to see one customized and designed for iPod touch. Such a speaker would slip on, almost like a tiny cradle, and hug the bottom of the device. It would offer stereo speakers and a small microphone. All the technology is there to do this using the iPod dock connector port.

And, for a super size version, you could even turn this into an effective case for iPod touch. The case would deliver speakers, volume control, a mute switch (a la iPhone), and you could even fit an extended battery if you wanted a ruggedized case. And, this is nothing new either… classic iPod units have had all of these for awhile.

So, how long will it take for some unlicensed iPod manufacturer to shamelessly rip off my un-patented intellectual property? I’m starting the clock… now.