Apple Obtains Patent For Solar-Powered Devices

Are we going to be seeing solar-charged iPhone and iPads in the near future? This could become a reality if Apple executes on a recently awarded patent that describes solutions for charging a variety of devices (including laptops, tablet devices or mobile phones) via solar power. From the general description of the actual patent: Portable devices having multiple power interfaces are described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, a portable electronic device includes, but is not limited to, a processor, a memory coupled to the processor for storing instructions, when executed from the memory, cause the processor to perform one or more functions, a battery coupled to provide power to the processor and the memory, and a battery charging manager coupled to charge the battery using power derived from a plurality of power sources including a solar power source. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Jennifer Morrison Jennifer ODell Jennifer Scholle Microsoft