Apple Prepping Solar-Powered iPod, MacBook?

[RobRich]

Apple has filed an interesting patent application for "solar cells on portable devices." While such small solar cells produce a relatively small amount of power, one should factor in the collective energy gathering capability over a typical product lifetime to assess effectiveness.

Quote:

The most interesting technique described by Apple, however, is the integration of the solar panels behind the actual LCD screen of a portable device. The solar panel would absorb ambient light that passes through the LCD screen of the device. This could eliminate any additional footprint typically required by the solar panels. If successfully implemented, Apple's iPhone, iPod and laptops, could require no outward changes in design to add solar power.

Source: Mac Rumors