“Keeping our MacBooks and other devices charged is always a priority and Apple has a new invention that could use solar cells integrated into trackpads, the Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, Apple’s wireless keyboard and into parts of the iPhone that could provide added stored power,” Jack Purcher reports for Patently Apple.
“Apple notes that ‘the wireless device has a touch sensor and a solar cell that converts ambient light into electrical power. Wireless communications circuitry transmits the touch input to the external equipment using the electrical power from the solar cell. Energy storage devices such as a capacitor and a battery can be charged using the electrical power,'” Purcher reports. “Solar Cell ambient light sensors for the iPhone were covered much deeper in our June 2014 patent report that you could review here.”
Purcher reports, “To date Apple has more than 16 inventions relating to solar power aimed at future Apple computers/devices.”
Much more, including Apple’s patent application illustrations and diagrams, in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Like Kirk, we’d never turn down “More power!”