While it may be a little too early in the game to get excited about having solar energy powering your next notebook, netbook, tablet, smartphone or gaming device, it doesn't mean that there isn't a race behind the scenes to do just that. Apple already has accumulated six patents on this very subject with more on the way while Samsung has been on the hunt for solar power solutions as well. Samsung's latest solar power related invention is modest if not realistic in that they're shooting for a notebook that will simply have its battery life greatly extended so that students and business users will have the power to get them through the day.
Samsung's patent FIG. 11 noted above is a diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of an operation of an electronic device depending on use modes for various solar cells.
At the end of the day, it's no secret that Apple and Samsung are at war over smartphones and tablets, and today we see that there's a new frontier to battle over: Solar powered devices. Who will make it to market first? Only time will tell.
Samsung's patent application was originally filed in Q3 2011 in the US and Q2 2011 in Korea. For more information on this invention, see application 20120256486.
Note that technological revelations revealed in Intellectual Property filings are not to be interpreted as rumor. Furthermore, fictitious rumor site timetables should be dismissed entirely.
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