Here comes the sun…for Apple?

Is Apple about to innovate the tech device industry again?

Maybe. 

Apple appears to be creating a new device that can let natural light in and absorb the energy via solar cells in the devices. The key component in the patent is Smart Glass, or electrochromic glass. Acting like sunglasses, the glass can fluctuate its translucency to filter in light.

The idea is to have a layer of photovoltaic cells – cells found in solar panels that absorb energy – located behind the LCD screen on the back of the device to work with the Smart Glass. Since the Smart Glass can sense when natural light is present and filter more light in, the solar cells would absorb more energy when needed and available. This gives new meaning to the term “smart device.”

Solar powered gadgets certainly aren’t new, but the this seems to take it to the next level.