Here's an intriguing patent highlighted by the patent-following folks at Patently Apple -- it's an idea Apple has registered for a "smart bezel," which would be a part of the touchscreen that worked as a separate display only when you're using that part. In other words, if you just needed to adjust the volume or answer a call on your iPhone, only that part of the display would light up and become useable. This could enable things like developers hooking in to an "official" gaming controls layout, or just certain tools in parts of the screen layout, like music controls or phone controls in certain states.
The patent also mentions using other parts of the device for a touch interface, which would clear up s
