Filed under: iPhone
Solar iPhone? Probably not
TUAW reader Maaz sent in this link to a Forbes story about a possible solar-powered iPhone. We recently posted about Apple's new Solar Energy patent so it's not a big jump to start seeing articles speculating on how that new technology will be used and expressed in Apple's product line.
I have nothing against solar power--the Sun is the source of most of the Earth's human-usable energy but I'm not sure that the iPhone is a particularly good match to solar refueling.
As the Forbes article points out, the iPhone is small and is built to radiate light from a large part of its surface, not collect it. Unlike low-powered calculators, the iPhone is a pretty power-hungry device and is going to get hungrier if the (likely) move to 3G occurs. And what the Forbes article does not point out and should be highlighted is that for the most part, iPhones live in our pants, which isn't a very sunny place (for most people).
So do the math. Small surface + pants-based existence means a Solar-powered iPhone is not very likely to debut.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
xtremesniper said 1:47PM on 5-29-2008
Thank you! Someone finally comes along with some common sense.
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mark said 6:03PM on 5-29-2008
"Common sense"? If Steve Jobs had "common sense," think of all the products we wouldn't be enjoying, right now.
What this article (and most of you commenters) overlooks is the concept that the solar functionality is built into a layer underneath the screen. So even while you're using the phone, it would be charging simultaneously.
Just because *you* think something won't work doesn't mean that it won't work. There are some humans who "think outside the box" and come up with clever things that *you* never would have thought of.
There's even a special word for it in the dictionary: "innovation."
http:www.freeiphone4u.co.uk said 4:02PM on 7-07-2008
I think the unavoidable problem with all solar powered phones is, as the article says, how long are they really exposed to sunlight for? Not long, so how would they really charge?
egordin said 1:48PM on 5-29-2008
Erica this is exactly what I thought when I read the forbes article - doesn't seem practical, even if its in addition to regular recharging.
PS Pants-based existence is a really funny term. Well done.
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Ryan Trevisol said 1:52PM on 5-29-2008
I lol'd at pants based existence. :)
Jeremy said 2:18PM on 5-29-2008
I disagree. The way I read the patent, it seemed like they were envisioning that since it was not only possible but probably trivial in the near future to incorporate a "solar layer" in devices that it should be there simply because it has zero downside and a large possible upside.
It may not provide any usefull power on a day to day basis, but the idea that when stranded in the wilderness one could put a cell-phone on a rock in the sun and charge it up.
I can't remember the name right now but this would have saved the life of that tech reporter that dies in the wilderness recently. He and his family were close to rescuers and had a cell phone, it's just that the battery dies on the first day.
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Chris said 3:02PM on 5-29-2008
I'm with you on this. If you look at today's integrated chips as an example, they often contain many features that are never used by the device. I think it will be the same thing here. Also, my iphone spends most of it's time on a desk. It's only in my pocket when I am travelling from one place to another so I would benefit from this.
Sam Katz said 3:19PM on 5-29-2008
James Kim. I have to tell you it was eerie. I loved his columns. I read them regularly. RIP. www.cnet.com
Allan Marcus said 2:22PM on 5-29-2008
Gives new meaning to "stick that iPhone where the sun doesn't shine!"
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Macanuck said 2:23PM on 5-29-2008
Good to see that someone else has come to the same realization...http://macanuck.blogspot.com/2008/05/sun-doth-shine-and-apples-do-grow.html
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Peter said 2:26PM on 5-29-2008
The sun is only the source of 'most' of our energy? Where else do we get energy from?
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Zimmie said 3:10PM on 5-29-2008
Ultimately, the sun is the source of the energy in coal, oil and all that, but keep in mind that the energy in fissionable material comes from the decay of certain heavy elements which fusion really does not like to produce.
trashq said 2:29PM on 5-29-2008
Let not forget the sun is also the source of Superman's powers.
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Erik said 2:30PM on 5-29-2008
I think there are actually several applications here. Personally, I do a lot of running outside and use my iPhone while running. If the arm band were modified to absorb the sun's ray on a 1-2 hour run, then I could totally see application here. I grant that is still somewhat of a niche, but similar applications apply for biking, fishing, etc. One thing we know from the popularity of the Nike plus system is that people like to use their iPod's when they exercise.
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Walt said 2:41PM on 5-29-2008
I'm so sick of people saying that the iPhone spends a lot of time in our pants, and therefore couldn't be charged with solar power.
I don't know about you, but my pants don't have electrical outlets in them. The only difference is that instead of plugging it into the wall to charge, you leave it sitting out.
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Dave said 2:42PM on 5-29-2008
Not that I disagree here, I do agree, but let's keep in mind that when the iPhone is in your pants, it's not using as much energy. It's when you bring it out of standby and power up that huge LCD screen that it really starts to suck back the battery. It might be beneficial during -those- moments to have a supplemental power source, even if it is small.
Oh, and like Peter above said, ultimately the sun is the source of energy for planet Earth.
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Juan-Antonio Garcia said 2:46PM on 5-29-2008
I do not see it that far fetched, on the contrary, now is common to see watches and some phone wireless headsets with solar technology and, once at the office or home the phone comes out of the pants, presto at ambient light you have charge. I imagine this is more a trickle charge mode than a way to get a fast full charge. So in a years time we could start seen this technology being more common.
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Tired_ said 2:47PM on 5-29-2008
The solar panel doesn't have to be the primary method of charging the devices...it could be simply to extend the charge during the day. I'd take a few extra minutes.
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Chris said 3:11PM on 5-29-2008
Our sun is not necessarily the source of the energy we get from nuclear power plants. The radioactive elements we use, however, were likely created by another star at one point.
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rockyem03 said 4:22PM on 5-29-2008
I tend to think that that patent has something to do with collecting the light from the display. i mean the light source is already there when the display is on even in the dark... almost like the power used to light the display is generating some power from the solar panel... almost like recycling the energy i think its clever...
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