A Woman Holding An iPhone
Check out the new configuration details of the iPhone 7 Plus from the famous Ming-Chi Kuo, ahead of September 2016 release. Pictured above: A woman looks at the screen of her mobile phone in front of an Apple logo outside its store in downtown Shanghai September 10, 2013. Reuters/Aly Song

Apple recently applied for a patent that may turn out to be a welcome solution to battery life issues for iPhones. With the iPhone 7, the latest offering from the Cupertino tech giant, users may not need to recharge the device at all. Apple has been granted a patent for solar cells embedded underneath the touch screen. The hidden solar panel would recharge the smartphone automatically throughout the day.

The new patent application, spotted by Patently Apple, is for wireless devices with touch sensors and solar cells. The patent encompasses the application of solar cells to a touch display service like a trackpad or iPhone to store power for the device. According to 9to5Mac, hiding solar cells into the touch screen or bezel supports Apple’s design practices, and both iPhones and Apple Watches could benefit from using solar energy as a power source.

The patent’s abstract reveals the “wireless device has a touch sensor and a solar cell that converts ambient light into electrical power. ” It further elaborates that “energy storage devices such as a capacitor and a battery can be charged using the electrical power. ”

The U.S. patent also reveals that the solar cells could also be used in wide range of products like the battery operated wireless Magic Mouse which currently communicates via Bluetooth with Mac and required to charge AA batteries, Magic Trackpad and Wireless Keyboard. It is the same technology which all watchmakers have been using to extend battery life for decades. A solar power cell, nestled within the bezel, can be an easy remedy to the current one-day-only iPhone battery life.

The patent seems to corroborate speculations of Apple removing its iconic, circular Home Button and physical Touch ID from the facade of the iPhone 7. It will reportedly be replaced by a pressure sensitive Force Touch display. If true, this could be the ideal opportunity for Apple to bring in its recently patented solar technology. However, Apple has not made any official comments to this rumour nor has it made any express indication of using solar technology in any of its upcoming devices.

For questions/comments regarding the article, you may email the writer at rituparnaganguly25@gmail.com.

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