Is Apple Developing a Solar iPhone?

4 years ago Technology

Iphone could be solar poweredPhoto:
Image by Shapeshift

Well, according to the site MacRumors, Apple have apparently filed a patent application to investigate the use of solar cells in their mobile devices, including the iphone and portable computers.

The technology behind this all is quite interesting. It goes back to a 2001 patent that Motorola filed, exploring the use of photovoltaic cells behind the LED screen of the device, much like a calculator. If Apple pulled this off successfully, there would be no design modifications at all. It would be an instant success. But the question we have to ask ourselves is, could they actually pull it off? After all, Motorola tried and failed.

MacRumors’ claim that if Apple were to be successful, iPods and MacBooks could run without any mains charge is “wildly optimistic,” say PC pro. They did an experiment where they charged a MacBook all day long with 104 x 54cm solar panel, but the computer was only powered for two hours. Unless Apple have really got their shit together, their solar cells would only be able to power an iphone or ipod for a few minutes.

Apart from the limitations of the solar cell technology, another pressure is emerging: phones are constantly having new features added to them. Whether it’s GPS, more RAM, higher megapixel cameras and so on, Apple’s engineers have a mammoth task ahead of them.

If Apple can pull this one off soon, then I will be seriously impressed. I wouldn’t expect anything in the near future though and I’m placing this firmly in the rumors box.

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Written by: Chris

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Comments

Old Comments

Darcie Distin says

Jan 31st, 2010 at 12am
Alot of bloggers not really happy with this new iPad.There was 2 much hype over it and lots of people got disapointed.Quite frankly, I actually see some of the awesome potential of the gizmo. Third-party soft for doing music, games, newsprints and magazine and FFS books, all sorts of awesome stuff, but IMHO they just didn't really sell it right (excluding the books). It smells sort of unfinished

sOlAr says

Sep 8th, 2009 at 12am
Wow!! this is most exciting... if the iPhone's "battery" is a solar cell, how cool can it get? Hope that this this feature will fully materialize before Steve Jobs officially retire from the company. I don't think there'll be anymore of these cool designs and features once he leaves.

Gethu says

Jun 2nd, 2009 at 12am
They should develop one. I would be the first one to buy it.

FreeIphone says

Apr 23rd, 2009 at 12am
really nice post.

Blogs DNA says

May 30th, 2008 at 12am
Wow..!!! having solar iPhone is definitely different Experience. Plus it open ups many endless possibility for Apple to get other features inside iphone.