Apple is experimenting with methods of charging its mouse and trackpad peripherals by harnessing the power of solar energy.
The Cupertino-based tech giant’s research is detailed in a newly published patent application filed by Apple with the US Patent and Trademark Office.
According to the patent, which was first spotted by AppleInsider, the
The patent doesn’t claim the technology can charge the battery-draining devices like the iPhone, but points to integration with wireless keyboards, mice, and trackpads.
The solar system will gather ambient light and convert it into usable electrical energy, which is then stored in a device’s battery system.
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Unfortunately, as is the case with all patents, there’s no way of telling whether Apple will ever roll out such technology to its devices.
It’s also not clear whether solar energy is really sufficient to keep a device like a keyboard alive in perpetuity. It would very much depend on the usage environment.
If you’re keen to check out more tangible Apple innovation, watch our Apple Watch race across London video below:
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.