This Patent, released by apple, shows that they could be creating solar powered iPhones very soon. Could the 2nd Gen iPhone be solar? Maybe that Photos icon could be telling us something?? :)
http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/05/26/022306-solarcells_400.png

-Taken Straight From MacRumors-
A recently published patent application discovered by MacRumors reveals that Apple is investigating the use of solar power in versions of their mobile devices -- both handheld devices and portable computers. Integrating solar power into a mobile device holds the enormous potential of extending battery life significantly. However, successfully integrating solar panels into these small devices is not without its challenges.

The major issues described are the limited area available to solar panels, durability, and the "wasting" of space on a portable device. It is due to these problems that solar power has not found its way into mobile devices, not just from Apple, but from all manufacturers.
The most interesting technique described by Apple, however, is the integration of the solar panels behind the actual LCD screen of a portable device. The solar panel would absorb ambient light that passes through the LCD screen of the device. This could eliminate any additional footprint typically required by the solar panels. If successfully implemented, Apple's iPhone, iPod and laptops, could require no outward changes in design to add solar power.

Apple's not the only one exploring this technology as an old (2001) Motorola patent describes the same technique. While several limitations to the technique were described at that time, the issues may have been better addressed in recent years.

Link to original post (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/05/26/solar-lcd-powered-ipods-iphones-and-laptops/)

I've got to say it would be an awesome idea.

Cloudy out = no iPhone lmao

Cloudy out = no iPhone lmao

Im sure they would have a backup power cord so you could charge when it was dark. Also for syncing.

Cloudy out = no iPhone lmao

It would still have a battery, so it would only use the solar power when the sun is out.

This Patent, released by apple, shows that they could be creating solar powered iPhones very soon. Could the 2nd Gen iPhone be solar? Maybe that Photos icon could be telling us something?? :)
http://images.macrumors.com/article/2008/05/26/022306-solarcells_400.png

-Taken Straight From MacRumors-
A recently published patent application discovered by MacRumors reveals that Apple is investigating the use of solar power in versions of their mobile devices -- both handheld devices and portable computers. Integrating solar power into a mobile device holds the enormous potential of extending battery life significantly. However, successfully integrating solar panels into these small devices is not without its challenges.

The major issues described are the limited area available to solar panels, durability, and the "wasting" of space on a portable device. It is due to these problems that solar power has not found its way into mobile devices, not just from Apple, but from all manufacturers.
The most interesting technique described by Apple, however, is the integration of the solar panels behind the actual LCD screen of a portable device. The solar panel would absorb ambient light that passes through the LCD screen of the device. This could eliminate any additional footprint typically required by the solar panels. If successfully implemented, Apple's iPhone, iPod and laptops, could require no outward changes in design to add solar power.

Apple's not the only one exploring this technology as an old (2001) Motorola patent describes the same technique. While several limitations to the technique were described at that time, the issues may have been better addressed in recent years.

Link to original post (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/05/26/solar-lcd-powered-ipods-iphones-and-laptops/)

No, Apple places patents on things years before they actually use them. :)

or the solar cells could CHARGE the battery :]

No, Apple places patents on things years before they actually use them. :)

Might actually have to agree with you on that one, but who knows?

this tech wont be implemented ANY time soon. companies always file patents years before they act upond them.

this would be really cool becuase it would make other rival companies, such as Microsoft, to produce more products with solar energy making the Earth a better place..... not trying to sound too much like a hippy though.; :rolleyes:

this tech wont be implemented ANY time soon. companies always file patents years before they act upond them.

That's absolutely true, but it gives us something to look forward to, doesn't it?

That's absolutely true, but it gives us something to look forward to, doesn't it?
kinda, it wont be much of a big deal to me. It will of course drive prices up for a while unless they wait until solar cells are much more affordable (not too far off tho)

LOL I was about to post this article!! good I searched before I did.

I think the Idea is Great!!

If it works with Light from lets say an Office.

Because Sun isn't always out.

just thinking about this, would it be possible for these cells to use the screens light itself to generate power. note that it wouldnt be more than it takes to power the screen in the first place, but it would DEFFINATLY help save the power it uses to run the screen.

solar power would be hella sick

It would still have a battery, so it would only use the solar power when the sun is out.

Not really.

The way solar power works is that it charges the battery.

Kind of like you talking with your phone that's almost dead.

Your on the phone and you plug the charger in.

The battery level stays the same till you stop talking.

It will increase but gradualy.

So In theory.

When your using your iPod and your outside. you can run it for hours.

But your battery will remain the same, It would only increase in percents.

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just thinking about this, would it be possible for these cells to use the screens light itself to generate power. note that it wouldnt be more than it takes to power the screen in the first place, but it would DEFFINATLY help save the power it uses to run the screen.


This wouldn't be a bad iDea. But this would mean an end to Chargers and batteries as we know it.

This is a good invention. But just imagine how many places would go out of business if this was possible.

This is how a Solar Cells work. Just not by Internal display light. Well Not yet.

LOL I was about to post this article!! good I searched before I did.

I think the Idea is Great!!

If it works with Light from lets say an Office.

Because Sun isn't always out.

Good idea! Except for one thing...charging from office light defeats the whole object of solar power in terms of not polluting the world as the light from the office probably comes from fossil fuels again, not to sound 2 much like a hippy :rolleyes:

I heard a rumor, that a generation of the iPhone with this technology would be coming out before Christmas 2009

It would be good if the iPhone went green.

Uhm...

I don't know you guys, but that sounds like TiSP to me:

http://www.google.com/tisp/install.html

if the panel(s) did not add bulk or make it look dumbass then this would be a great idea some day.

A patent application suggests that solar ipod is working out a way of powering portable devices with the sun. solar power to in the near future, but given the companies status as a major leader in electronic design.
_____________________________________________
John Smith
http://www.goinggreenbuzz.com

Save earth! solar power FTW!

^ummm.. nice write up, but epic bump.

This would be great if they're actually going to do this. I think they would sell more.

This would be great if they're actually going to do this. I think they would sell more.
but would cost more.

:(

Im sure they would have a backup power cord so you could charge when it was dark. Also for syncing. ya like the battry charges on soaler light for longer perfomence + if u tilt ur i touch at a cirten angle in the darkest room ever u can see a little red dot like this with out the face :mad: lol and its odd and its alegel to have a camra and what is the advantig if it is a camra any way hm... :eek: :cool: :p ;) :rolleyes: :confused: :(:) :D