Diagram of how future MacBooks can absorb sunlight. (Source: Patently Apple)
Looks like Apple is looking to develop solar-powered MacBooks capable of taking your calls. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office recently released 31 new patents to Apple. Some of the patents include technologies on how to use solar power to charge a MacBook, how to receive and transmit cellular telephone signals, and create backside touch sensors that would allow you to interact with the laptop with the lid closed.
Solar-powered MacBook can be created with the use of a “smart glass” or electrochromic glass that changes light transmission properties according to voltage, meaning it controls the amount of light and heat it sends out. The patent describes top plate with solar cells that will be sandwiched between smart glass in the back and an LCD display in front. This means users can adjust the smart glass to let light transmit solar cells to charge the device.
Source: ReadWrite