After introducing the unibody design with the new MacBooks, last year, Apple noticed this was a good idea, as I am sure it lead to less complaints about case cracks...and those were surely coming from the only MacBook with a plastic case still on sale. After all, can you imagine a cracked aluminum case? Yes, you can, but we're talking about normal usage, not playing with your computer and an axe!
Now, it seems Apple recently submitted a patent application showing the concept of a unibody iPod. Considering the experience Apple already has with the unibody MacBooks(the MacBook Air being the first unibody design from them), I am sure they can come up with a thin iPod design that's also durable as it should have always been. The only problem that will remain standing is the face of the player.
Obviously, I am thinking about scratch resistance, but since the design suggested by Apple in the patent could also have the advantage of reducing cost, by using sheet metal for casing, I still have to see it to believe it - a cheaper and better iPod? A very nice dream, but probably not something to see coming true (too) soon...