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See the original image at ecogeek.org

Solar iPods in the Future

ecogeek.org — Apple just filed a patent for solar technology that would allow them to cover an entire iPod in solar cells, presumably to make the device less subject to tired batteries and the constraints of sucking energy from the socket.

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  • jimmaculate, on 05/27/2008, -4/+51Just tape your ipod to the roof of your car when you drive around to charge it up. =)
    • Ducttape21, on 05/27/2008, -1/+3Hmm...

      *looks into patents on solar panels on roof of car*
    • dhishum, on 05/27/2008, -1/+1Brilliantly said Jim
    • zonos, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1This would lead to a whole string of iPod thefts at traffic lights.
      • OomBok, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1I live in South Africa, here they steal your iPod at the traffic lights even if it's in your car...
  • sgiffy, on 05/27/2008, -1/+58I guess this could be useful when camping, or in a pinch, but I usually carry my Ipod in my pocket, were the potential solar energy is really quite low.
    • D4r7h3v1l, on 05/27/2008, -1/+71That's why I wear transparent pants...
    • jull1234, on 05/27/2008, -0/+2"Ah *****, I have to take my ipod out of my pocket" trumps "Ah *****, i have to plug in my ipod"
  • hamburgers, on 05/27/2008, -2/+13that iPod looks like the wing of a tie fighter. neat!
  • dig1x, on 05/27/2008, -25/+33Apple patent trolling great.

    So, they patent the use of solar panels in portable devices? What? Their has been solar panels on portable electronics since day one -- 25 years of solar calculators should make this clearly OBVIOUS and unpattenable.

    What nonsense.
    • Jambi, on 05/27/2008, -4/+23As I understand it, they're patenting a specific way of putting solar panels on small devices, not the general concept.
      • dig1x, on 05/27/2008, -13/+8They are trolling, nothing more or less.

        How can you patent "a specific way of putting solar panels on a device"?

        They have a history of ridiculous, obvious, broad patents like this.

        They arent inventing anything, they're just applying for patents because the US patent system is broken.
        • Tenoq, on 05/27/2008, -1/+4You mean like patenting a specific way of buying a product online? (one-click) Or patenting a specific way of compressing music? (mp3)

          :p
        • zonos, on 05/27/2008, -0/+2Or patent a specific way of being an idiot?
    • virtualball, on 05/27/2008, -1/+8They're patenting the idea of putting the panels beneath a touch LCD screen. While not brand spanking new, it surely has never been done before. It's just Apple just taking ideas and putting them together, and hell, it's a smart idea! Imaging how much longer an iPhone could last with a panel the size of the phone always being exposed to the sun...
    • Chronoped, on 05/27/2008, -5/+10My god, I know! It's the same with cars and airplanes too! COME UP WITH SOMETHING NEW ALREADY! They already invented the car! Everyone who didn't invent the first automobile are patent trolls, too! Sheesh, people.
    • phate2292, on 05/27/2008, -3/+4But if you read the engadget.com article it says that Motorola already patented this idea, that is the idea of integrating the solar cells into the display.
    • desertDenizen, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1This speculation and debate isn't very productive without more information... Anyone have a link to the actual application at uspto.gov?
  • tweetsa, on 05/27/2008, -33/+3this can work. I made a solar panel (patent pending) that is the 2 inches x 2 inches and it generates enough power to run my electric car at 80 mph with enough power left over to run everything in the car, dvd player, AC, radio etc. one of these panels should work no problem on an ipod
    • TremorX, on 05/27/2008, -1/+24So when you're completely full of *****, can you taste it?
    • GT35R, on 05/27/2008, -3/+5the sun does not transmit down enough energy on 4 sq inches to power anything more than a small LED. The energy just isn't their, it is not about efficiency.
      • Tenoq, on 05/27/2008, -0/+4But he combined it with a kind of fusion to get all the power he needs.
        • mrBitch, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1That's "Mr Fusion" (TM), thank you very much.
    • rolexxx11, on 05/27/2008, -1/+0obvious troll is obvious....

      *PLEASE DON'T FEED THE TROLL*
      • WomensUnderwear, on 05/27/2008, -1/+0i think he confused his panel dimensions with his penis length
    • superfuxxorr, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1i daisy chained 24 solar powered calculators together, inversed the flow from the panels and now use it to light my house off reverse solar technology.
  • linsux, on 05/27/2008, -7/+35--digg

    ++dig http://digg.com/apple/Apple_files_patent_for_solar ...
    • Gforce20, on 05/27/2008, -11/+2You mean digg++ and digg--, assuming you're referring to Javascript, C(++), or PHP...
      • WorldGroove, on 05/27/2008, -1/+6Actually, they're both valid in javascript & c++ (never did php)
        Here's the different in javascript, same thing for C++
        var x = 0;
        alert(x++);
        alert(x++);
        ----will put 2 alertboxes, "0" and "1".
        var x = 0;
        alert(++x);
        alert(++x);
        ----will display, "1" and "2".
        The ++ before the variable takes effect before any action in the same line of code involving the variable.
        the ++ after the variable takes place after any action in the same line of code involving the variable.

        • Gforce20, on 05/31/2008, -0/+1Oh, my mistake. I've never seen ++var in practice.
    • trghpy, on 05/27/2008, -5/+3Yea, but some of us were not online to comment on the first one!
      And yes, we digg whats in front of us, we don't digg to digg sorta say.
  • egthareal, on 05/27/2008, -5/+13Why not just link to the original source of Engadget?
    http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/26/apple-files-pat ...
    • Wootstapler, on 05/27/2008, -0/+16Because he couldn't submit that link, since it already hit the front page. He had to find a different source so he could be cool too.
      • zzz@tkz, on 05/27/2008, -4/+1You can add GET variables to the end of a URL to bypass that.
  • DarkAlchemist, on 05/27/2008, -3/+5Too bad most of the time ipods will be in people pockets or in a case. ): Nice try though.
    • uhhNo, on 05/27/2008, -3/+3I don't know about you, but my pockets get a fair amount of sun in them. It's a great idea.
      • Tyr7BE, on 05/27/2008, -1/+7....what?

        Transparent pants?
      • uhhNo, on 05/27/2008, -0/+2did i really need to put a /sarcasm tag on that? seriously...
    • vanebeard, on 05/27/2008, -0/+5Maybe you guys should start thinking, "outside the pocket"
  • JeremyK684, on 05/27/2008, -4/+2It is going to be ridiculously expensive I bet though because of the high prices of solar cells.. I like the concept though but realistically, I'm having a hard time picturing it's massive production.
    • znicket, on 05/27/2008, -1/+1Naysay much?
    • ChromaVita, on 05/27/2008, -1/+1Good thing Apple products are always reasonably priced. Oh wait...
  • bluepass, on 05/27/2008, -2/+6I highly doubt this is for iPods...
  • wukillabee, on 05/27/2008, -13/+10dupe apple crap

    encraptget already posted this lame *****
  • DeFex, on 05/27/2008, -6/+8Patent powering a small electronic device with solar panels! wow im glad apple patented that before someone put a solar panel on a calculator.
    • trghpy, on 05/27/2008, -1/+4Don't tell Jobs...
      He'll try to backdate the patent and sue HP/Ti for infringement.

    • jasmus, on 05/27/2008, -1/+5Read more. You're not the first person to say this, you're not even the 10th person to say this. They are putting the Solar panel underneath the LCD screen, so it's not even visible. I've not seen a calculator with that, or any other device with that.
      • dig1x, on 05/27/2008, -3/+2Tell me, how is that an invention? Its totally fcuking obvious.
        • ChromaVita, on 05/27/2008, -1/+4It may be obvious in the sense that it is obviously a good idea, but when have you seen it done, or even practically proposed. When have you seen anyone seriously propose a way of putting a solar panel under an LCD screen?
        • jasmus, on 05/27/2008, -0/+3Seeing as most LCD panels are backlit, I'd say it's not too easy to wedge in a solar cell that will collect light for power, and let light through for the backlight.
  • MetalGear7, on 05/27/2008, -6/+0I better not get sunburn with these kickin Solar Ipods!!!
  • Cyborg326, on 05/27/2008, -6/+1would definitely get one of these!

    Edit: as long as it isn't ridiculously expensive.
  • Chronoped, on 05/27/2008, -1/+35for crap's sake, there's already an apple solar panel article ON THE SAME PAGE
  • sid007i, on 05/27/2008, -4/+6Starting price $500000. $499,000 refurb at AT&T Store.
  • trghpy, on 05/27/2008, -4/+1That's kinda slick...
    When is that kind of stick on solar panel going to be available for the consumer use?
    Sure beats the hell out of poking holes in your roof to mount 100 pound panels.
  • gdehms, on 05/27/2008, -3/+13DIGGING JUST BECAUSE STORY MADE FRONT PAGE, EVEN THOUGH ALREADY ON FRONT PAGE!!!
  • pantone286, on 05/27/2008, -4/+1Bet those solar panels are just as chintzy when it comes to scratch resistance.
  • Briii, on 05/27/2008, -6/+1Steve Jobs you diabolical
  • RationalXubrnce, on 05/27/2008, -2/+2 A thin wafer on the back that folded out could double the area of the collection.

    Or here's a really crazy idea. Make the battery bigger than a chicklet! I mean Come on there's only so small these devices need to be and the one thing that always suffers is battery size. If they doubled the size of the battery in a nano how much bigger would it be? Not much.
  • threemagic, on 05/27/2008, -0/+11Wow, I'm glad this is posted. I nearly forgot about it. After all it was probably 3 or 4 hours since the last one was front paged.
  • bobbothegrayson, on 05/27/2008, -0/+9Raise your hand (or digg up) if you hate sensationalistic headlines!
    A patent doesn't mean they will ever happen. It's a security measure to make sure no one can implement it before them if anything.
  • Mikhail101, on 05/27/2008, -1/+2I couldnt give a ***** about apple even though i have an ipod, i felt a lot of there stuff specially that mac air laptop was douchebagery but this has earned my respect for apple, i seriously hope this works out.
  • muzikkislife, on 05/27/2008, -2/+2i hope the ipods are still going to be pretty, like my 80GB classic!
  • bsonline, on 05/27/2008, -0/+7Of no use to the average digger, as all of that solar energy involves being in sunlight.
  • smurfeh, on 05/27/2008, -1/+3But there's a huge problem with this- solar panels on an iPod would encourage users to leave them out in the sun all day... iPods aren't made to handle intense heat- they die if they get heated beyond a certain point... thoughts?
    • Chronoped, on 05/27/2008, -1/+5I don't know what the official word is, but I've owned two different generations of iPod, treated them like total *****, and they've worked just fine. If there were any real damage concerns, I'm sure Apple would probably sturdy up the designs. For Apple's prices, I sure as hell expect them to.

      Now the real problem is for people who live mostly without sun, like England, or certain parts of the midwest where 90% of the time it's winter :D
  • christopherRB, on 05/27/2008, -3/+1If Apple does that, then the winning streak is over.... for me anyway
  • chrisinsocalif, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1Would that require see through pant pockets to charge my IPOD? It would be smarter in my opinion to use Kinetic energy rather than solar, just like wrist watches, but what do i know.
    • RationalXubrnce, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1 Yeah but there's not much kinetic energy to be had in your pants pocket. Maybe on the ankle or wrist that would be doable. Solar could be useful when your sitting outside or under a light you can take it out of your pocket and leave it beside you.
      • tnoy, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1There is a lot more kinetic energy in my pocket than solar energy, though.
  • aserer511, on 05/27/2008, -0/+2This would matter if iPods weren't usually in pockets, or anything...
    this is better on laptops
  • Scyth3, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1Motorola already owns the patent to this technology, so I doubt it'll make it through. Regardless, the more earth friendly the better -- right?
  • liztan, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1i was just thinking of this yesterday out in the park - would be great for laptops too. anything mobile should have ways of recharging that doesnt involve power sockets + wires.
    • PabloMac, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1"...the regular coal-powered way of charging up..."
      Regular for some parts of the country.
  • ChinezePanda, on 05/27/2008, -5/+1Ok hold on..

    DEVICE IS USUALLY INDOORS.

    when it is outdoors..

    DEVISE IS USUALLY IN A POCKET/PURSE/SHIRT ARM STRAP.

    This patent is the dumbest thing I ever heard.

    Not to mention grease on the ipod will distort solar rays.. thus I believe... though not a specialist.. would ***** with the solar panel itself.

    Lame
    • davepascoe, on 05/27/2008, -1/+2>Not to mention grease on the ipod will distort solar rays.. thus I believe... though not a specialist.. would ***** with the solar panel itself.

      you fail at the internet. don't post again for at least 14 days.
    • ChinezePanda, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1Typed from the iphone right?
  • zdiggler, on 05/27/2008, -0/+4There are watches that use solar and panels are behind the LCD.

    But that watch company didn't patent it.
  • 0260, on 05/27/2008, -4/+1why is it always the ipod users that i see on the bus or train holding that thing right in front of them like its a remote control for their acid trip? this might work for them since its always out of the pocket.
    • vibrate, on 05/27/2008, -0/+3maybe theyre watching video?

      or browsing using coverflow?

      or playing games?

      etc
  • BarnacleBob, on 06/06/2008, -1/+1... just don't leave it in the sun for too long - everything else buckles and melts!
  • sanderscm2, on 05/27/2008, -1/+0solar energy? if they really wanted to press things forward, i would think that they would use kinetic energy.
  • MistaBell, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1Anyone know the breaking point in the size of an average solar panel for the power consumption of earbuds at a decent volume?
  • mfingers, on 05/27/2008, -1/+0Will this be for IPhone as well in future?
  • bolthead88, on 05/27/2008, -0/+0I wanna see this used on the shuffle soon.... that would be awesome...
  • dmh423, on 05/27/2008, -0/+0When will they come up with the wind-mill iPod? I'd go for that!
  • mdude85, on 05/27/2008, -0/+0patent application, not patent
  • Virgule, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1The sun does not shine in my pockets. Perhaps as an accessory: the iSun
  • protodon, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1In a few years ipods will be obsolete and people carry their iphones everywhere and I personally never have my phone in my pocket if I am not physically moving(in the car, at work, at home). You could easily charge from a car, window at home or office or even fluorescent lights. I mean, calculators do it. It's a great idea and will really add the convenience of such portable devices.
  • elambing, on 05/27/2008, -0/+2it seems to me that this is for ipod shuffles that people could clip to their arms while running, a) because the tiny shuffles use less power, and b) because it wouldnt be as hard to charge a little plastic covered hard drive. plus they have a better chance of being in the sun longer
  • WomensUnderwear, on 05/27/2008, -1/+0so I will need to hold my iPod in a direct line with Steve Jobs' rear end?
  • prleet, on 05/27/2008, -1/+1Man I gotta call my friend at the pattent office(who is also my roomy) he has failed 100% of them for last 4 years..I sure to let him know of this one....buh bye apple.
    • MWeather, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1The patent office needs more people like your friend.
  • flowctrl, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1Some nanotech-based "solar" cells convert ambient heat into electrical energy, so sunlight isn't the only source of power for them. Maybe your pocket could work too.

    http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1329/
  • hoegaarden, on 05/27/2008, -0/+1test
  • WhatsUpWithJack, on 05/28/2008, -1/+1Buried. Engadget broke this story, not some ***** blog.

    Futhermore, "solar technology that would allow them to cover an entire iPod in solar cells" is not inaccurate but very misleading, the solar cells according to the the patent would be layered underneath a layer of glass AND an LCD layer, which is hardly "covering" much.

    Down with *****, inaccurate blogging.
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