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Sunday November 22, 2009 11:20 PM AEST
Skip Navigation LinksPC Authority > News > Apple plans solar-powered iPod
Apple plans solar-powered iPod
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Apple plans solar-powered iPod

by Iain Thomson  on May 29, 2008
"echo"
 
Solar cells could be inserted under the iPod screen to power you music. It's only a patent, but we're already dreaming of iPods that never run out of charge.
A patent application suggests that Apple is considering a solar-powered iPod in the future.

The patent, discovered by MacRumors, describes an iPod with a solar panel under the LCD screen that could be used to provide additional power.

However, the surface area is so small that it is unlikely to be able to totally power the device.

IPod screen sizes are increasing, but so too is the load on batteries following plans for GPS and other power hungry features to be added to the range.

The patent application makes no mention of how to get past the screen reflection problem, since LCD screens are highly reflective.

Other manufacturers have already looked at this area. Motorola filed a similar patent for under-screen solar cell technology for organic LED screens which are less reflective.

Copyright © 2009 v3.co.uk
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Comments: 6
Thoughts on this article? Add a comment below.
nix
May 29, 2008 10:55 AM
Pretty misleading title. Some companies register thousands of patents a year, and they don't even plan to use 10% of them. Seems like a ridiculous idea anyway, the last thing I'd want to do is leave my iPod screen-up in direct sunlight.


Comment made about the PC Authority article:
Apple plans solar-powered iPod?
Solar cells could be inserted under the iPod screen to power you music. It's only a patent, but we're already dreaming of iPods that never run out of charge.

What do you think? Join the discussion.
M9ROC
May 29, 2008 3:41 PM
That title is misleading and inaccurate. Companies register thousands of patents a year and never use 10% of them. Idea seems good but i can't imagine it becoming commercially viable. I wouldn't want to do leave my iPod screen-up in direct sunlight.
.:Cyb3rGlitch:.
May 29, 2008 4:28 PM
Is that an echo I hear? :P
Pacman
May 30, 2008 12:38 PM
Both of you need to stop stealing each others thoughts. Damm psychics, take your mind swapping elsewhere!
nix
May 30, 2008 2:50 PM
wtf.
M9ROC
May 30, 2008 4:09 PM
echo
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