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Another Apple patent for solar powered iPhones

By: , IntoMobile
Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 1:56 PM

apple_solar_cell_frontApple has their sights set on making their iPhone as green as possible, it seems. A newly discovered patent application from the Cupertino-based iPhone maker hints at the company’s ongoing interest in powering their iPhone with solar cells. The patent describes power management methods that would allow portable media devices, like the iPhone, to draw power from solar and battery power. There’s also mention of a technology that would allow the iPhone to configure the solar cell circuitry to continue generating power even when a subset of the cells are hidden from sunlight.

This latest patent application re-emphasize Apple’s interest in green technology. Apple, in 2008, filed for a patent that would put a solar panel behind the LCD display of the iPhone. The idea was to put the solar panels on the front-side of the device, allowing the iPhone to charge its batteries when in use. This time around, Apple is apparently considering methods that would allow solar panels to continue generating power in changing conditions. With those two patents combined, a solar-powered iPhone might be capable of drawing solar power in a variety of conditions while preserving the iPhone’s minimalist design aesthetic.

As with all patents, we’re not guaranteed to see this technology ever making it into production. Fuel cells are another viable alternative fuel source that might give solar power technologies a run for their money. Still, we’d love to see a solar-powered iPhone in the future.

Apple patent for solar cells on iPhone

[USPTO via: Macrumors]

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About The Author

Will Park

Will hails from The City of Angels - Los Angeles, California. He spends his time playing with his numerous gadgets and looking forward to seeing what future holds for mobile technology. An avid promoter of a fully "digital" life, he promotes the widespread adoption of truly mobile, paper-less living. He dreams of the day when he can go completely digital. No more snail mail, paper receipts, bound books, notepads/spiral notebooks, credit cards, hard currency. He's a digital warrior - fighting for the converged life. He is an idealist and a realist - he has a perfect view of what the world should be but knows that the world is not perfect. Can we ever hope to see Will's dream become reality? We'll see...

  • Hetal Patel

    If Apple was Interested in Green Energy it should not apply for Patent for it.

    Rather it sud make it open so it good for Human race.

    I think All Greener Energy Program should be Open to Adopt model to Help Human Race Save Power. and stop this Burning World!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Anybody with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Anonymous

    This will be a magnificent product. I know there are now a lot of products using solar cells. I’m glad that they have developed a product using solar cells. That is another nature-friendly product. Great job Apple!

    Solar Energy Advantages