Technology giant Apple is set to release solar-powered iPhones and iPods once a patent it has filed has been passed by the US Patent and Trade Office (USPTO).
According to Patently Apple, a website that tracks Apple’s patent applications, the tech-giant has put in a patent application that describes how handsets - through Power Management Circuitry and Cells - could be powered in part by solar cells.
“Some portable electronic devices (e.g., calculators) may use solar cells to power the device. Because of the small size of these portable electronic devices, however, the number of solar cells that can be placed on the device is limited. Consequently, while the voltage generated by the solar cells may be enough to power less energy demanding devices, the voltage may be insufficient for portable electronic devices that demand more power,” said the patent filing notes.
Nevertheless, Apple plans to get around this by covering most of the handset with a layer of transparent material that will act as solar-cells and capture the sun’s energy. 

In addition to this, the patent outlines how the Apple will use the solar power to charge the battery, supply power to the device and use extra battery power when there is little solar power available, like during the night. 

All in all, this sounds like a very promising use of solar power - lets hope other technology firms follow Apple’s lead!

iphoneTechnology giant Apple is set to release solar-powered iPhones and iPods once a patent it has filed has been passed by the US Patent and Trade Office (USPTO).

According to Patently Apple, a website that tracks Apple’s patent applications, the tech-giant has put in a patent application that describes how handsets - through Power Management Circuitry and Cells - could be powered in part by solar cells. 

“Some portable electronic devices (e.g., calculators) may use solar cells to power the device. Because of the small size of these portable electronic devices, however, the number of solar cells that can be placed on the device is limited. Consequently, while the voltage generated by the solar cells may be enough to power less energy demanding devices, the voltage may be insufficient for portable electronic devices that demand more power,” said the patent filing notes.

Nevertheless, Apple plans to get around this by covering most of the handset with a layer of transparent material that will act as solar-cells and capture the sun’s energy. 

In addition to this, the patent outlines how the Apple will use the solar power to charge the battery, supply power to the device and use extra battery power when there is little solar power available, like during the night.

All in all, this sounds like a very promising use of solar power - lets hope other technology firms follow Apple’s lead!