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Among 27 new patents granted to Apple today is an interesting wireless charging dock concept reviewed by Patently Apple. Basically, an inductive charging circuit makes the dock capable of charging an iPhone or other mobile device without a connector. The dock itself would be linked to a power source.

Just resting a compatible iPhone on the dock would initiate charging, while a reradiating antenna inside the dock would enhance the strength of nearby Wi-Fi signals. Presumably this wireless data connection would be used to sync the device while charging. Current iPhone models are already capable of automatic syncing while plugged into a power source.

Interested to see Apple's Passbook app in action on the beta version of iOS 6? With all of the buzz surrounding potential NFC payment technology possibly making its way into the next iPhone, the Passbook app just got more interesting. Already Apple has explained that the app will save retail loyalty cards, plane tickets and more all in one convenient place.

Activating Passbook on your device is easy if you already have the developer beta of iOS 6 installed. The app is already installed, however in order to work it requires individual entries to be created. Luckily there's a website that you can access using mobile Safari that will set up Passbook info, activating the app.

Many believed Apple would release their new standalone Podcasts app alongside iOS 6, but they have decided to release it today instead. The app is now available for download in the App Store for devices running iOS 5.1 or later. Apple promises that the new app will make discovering and subscribing to podcasts much easier. It does this with a great UI and by offering many features like the innovative new Top Stations option.

Top Stations allows you to find new podcasts in a variety of topics like comedy, music or sports. The new app also features social networking sharing, in-app podcast management, and customizable playlists. You can browse by Audio or Video podcasts, and will have access to thousands of shows in over 40 languages. Read on for a complete list of features and requirements.

If you love zombies and The Kids in the Hall, you'll want to act quick and download Zombie Burst from the App Store today! CatFoster Media is offering the game for free until midnight.

In Zombie Burst, you must squish zombie heads like pimples to escape Chicago after a vicious zombie infection has taken over the city. The game is simple to play, just use a pinching motion to pop the zombies' heads, and a swiping motion to wipe away their brain goo so you can see. The controls are a little hard on the iPhone's smaller screen, but you'll eventually get used to them. I found a vertical pinching motion worked better than a horizontal pinch, especially during the third movie theater level.

A 19-pin dock connector and 4G LTE may not be the only new features the next generation iPhone will be packing. The new device could be equipped with NFC (Near Field Communications) technology. An NFC chip allows smartphones to interact with other devices in a very close proximity. The addition of NFC capabilities and the recently announced Passbook app will allow Apple to finally compete with Google Wallet.

9to5Mac claims that they discovered clues of Apple's plans to add NFC hidden in a hardware code dump. They also cited Jim Peters, CTO of SITA who said retailers should prepare themselves for Apple to sneak its way into the lucrative world of mobile payments.