Future Apple MacBooks could have screens backlit by the sun

the8thark · the8thark #1 (**permalink**)

03-25-2010, 01:40 PM

Future Apple MacBooks could have screens backlit by the sun
AppleInsider | Future Apple MacBooks could have screens backlit by the sun

Quote:

A new Apple patent application revealed this week describes technology that would allow an external light source, like the sun, to provide the backlight for a display, helping to conserve battery life.

Nethfel · Nethfel #2 (**permalink**)

03-25-2010, 01:58 PM

Well, the patent isn't too old (although kinda funny that they are digging back into Apple patent past to get current articles - as this patent was filed in Sept. 08 you'd think they would have written the article sooner

)

But, honestly, with that design, I don't think I could deal with it - laptops are already many times bigger then I would want to deal with, but to have an armature out the back end to collect sunlight (or other artificial light that would be in the given room) would be a bit much. But that's me - I'm sure some people out there would love that type of tech.

tiger roach · tiger roach #3 (**permalink**)

03-25-2010, 05:10 PM

Potentially cool.

What I want to see though is super batteries that run a ridiculously long time before needing a charge.

Chris H. · Chris H. #4 (**permalink**)

03-25-2010, 05:59 PM

A fantastic idea. But..wellllll..I have my doubts about it.

RavingMac · RavingMac #5 (**permalink**)

03-25-2010, 07:27 PM

I propose a special seat cushion that performs continuous liposuction to supply a built-in fuel cell. For most of us that have passed the age of 40 that would be a truly renewable energy source.

DarkestRitual · DarkestRitual #6 (**permalink**)

03-25-2010, 07:40 PM

It's a pretty cool idea, and not nearly as impossible as you guys think... More likely applied to something else, like an ipad type device when they figure out how to store the electronic guts in the bezel around the outside.

I dunno. The future of computing is cool as heck.

XJ-linux · XJ-linux #7 (**permalink**)

03-25-2010, 08:18 PM

And monkeys might come flying out of my...

chas_m · chas_m #8 (**permalink**)

03-25-2010, 10:07 PM

As some of the poster above have more drolly noted, Apple patents lots of ideas but doesn't always use them, or doesn't always use them as expected. Check out the history of "stacks" (which finally appeared in a hugely modified way in Leopard) as but one example.

the8thark · the8thark #9 (**permalink**)

03-26-2010, 12:12 AM

Agreed with the above.
Even if the ideas in some of Apple's patents never see the light of day in a computer, it shows Apple is willing to think outside of the box. Be original and think of new funky ideas to solve our computing issues or just simply take what is already great and try to make it fantastic.

kbOx · kbOx #10 (**permalink**)

03-26-2010, 08:54 AM

ive often wondered why laptops dont have solar cells on them. I know it wouldn't provide that much power, but it would provide enough to power the backlight LEDs at least, Which would be worth doing if the are potentially going to go through the trouble of attaching all that gubbins to reflect sun light through the screen.

Nethfel #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 25, 2009 Posts: 2,084 Mac Specs: 2012 Non-retina MBP, 2.6GHz i7, 8GB RAM, Antiglare Screen	03-25-2010, 01:58 PM Well, the patent isn't too old (although kinda funny that they are digging back into Apple patent past to get current articles - as this patent was filed in Sept. 08 you'd think they would have written the article sooner ) But, honestly, with that design, I don't think I could deal with it - laptops are already many times bigger then I would want to deal with, but to have an armature out the back end to collect sunlight (or other artificial light that would be in the given room) would be a bit much. But that's me - I'm sure some people out there would love that type of tech. My Macs: 2012 Non-Retina 15" MBP; Mac mini G4, 1.25 GHz, 512m ram (server); Late 2011 11" MBA, 1.8GHz i7, 4Gig Ram, 256Gig SSD, HD3000; Powerbook 12" G4 1.33GHz running Debian as a server; Apple TV (1080p version)
	QUOTE Thanks

Chris H. #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 03, 2009 Location: Rio Rancho, NM Posts: 2,538 Mac Specs: late 2009 MacBook - 10.7.5	03-25-2010, 05:59 PM A fantastic idea. But..wellllll..I have my doubts about it.  lt-2009 MacBook - OS X 10.7.5  iPad mini 16 GB - iOS 6.1.3  5th gen iPod touch 64GB - iOS 6.1.3  iPhone 4 8GB - iOS 6.1.3
	QUOTE Thanks

XJ-linux #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 02, 2007 Location: Going Galt... Posts: 3,136 Mac Specs: MacBookAir5,2:10.8.3-MacMini3,1:10.8.3-iPhone3,1:6.1.3	03-25-2010, 08:18 PM And monkeys might come flying out of my... ,_____o00o _ //___l__,\____\,__ l_--- \___l---OlllllllO (o)_)-o- (o)_)--o-)_)
	QUOTE Thanks

chas_m #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 22, 2010 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 13,803 Mac Specs: 2009 MacBook Pro, Black speakers, Black Benq second monitor, black iPhone 4, Black 2012 iPad, etc.	03-25-2010, 10:07 PM As some of the poster above have more drolly noted, Apple patents lots of ideas but doesn't always use them, or doesn't always use them as expected. Check out the history of "stacks" (which finally appeared in a hugely modified way in Leopard) as but one example. Cheers, chas_m -- My essay for switchers and newbies
	QUOTE Thanks

kbOx #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 13, 2010 Location: London, England Posts: 37 Mac Specs: MacBook Air - 128 GB SSD, 2.13GHz intel duel core, 2GB Ram	03-26-2010, 08:54 AM ive often wondered why laptops dont have solar cells on them. I know it wouldn't provide that much power, but it would provide enough to power the backlight LEDs at least, Which would be worth doing if the are potentially going to go through the trouble of attaching all that gubbins to reflect sun light through the screen. Follow me on Twitter for iPhone news: @iph0ne
	QUOTE Thanks

Future Apple MacBooks could have screens backlit by the sun

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RavingMac #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 07, 2008 Location: In Denial Posts: 6,843 Mac Specs: 4GB Mac Mini 2012, 13" MBA, 15" MacBook Pro OSX 10.7, 32 GB iPhone 3GS, iPad2 64gb 3G	03-25-2010, 07:27 PM I propose a special seat cushion that performs continuous liposuction to supply a built-in fuel cell. For most of us that have passed the age of 40 that would be a truly renewable energy source.
	QUOTE Thanks

DarkestRitual #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 09, 2009 Location: Ithaca NY Posts: 2,073 Mac Specs: 13 inch alMacBook 2GHz C2D 4G DDR3, 1.25GHz G4 eMac	03-25-2010, 07:40 PM It's a pretty cool idea, and not nearly as impossible as you guys think... More likely applied to something else, like an ipad type device when they figure out how to store the electronic guts in the bezel around the outside. I dunno. The future of computing is cool as heck.
	QUOTE Thanks

the8thark #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 27, 2007 Location: Brisvegas Posts: 5,658 Mac Specs: 17 inch 2 GHz C2D imac (5,1) with 3GB DDR2 RAM, X1600 (128MB memory) GPU - OSX 10.6.3	03-26-2010, 12:12 AM Agreed with the above. Even if the ideas in some of Apple's patents never see the light of day in a computer, it shows Apple is willing to think outside of the box. Be original and think of new funky ideas to solve our computing issues or just simply take what is already great and try to make it fantastic.
	QUOTE Thanks

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