Mr. Sun, please shine down on my iPod

Sunbathing may be going out of style in some circles, but soon we might put our iPods and other electronic devices on mini towels to catch the rays. A recently published patent application that cites Apple's best-selling products proposes using solar cells to power portable devices such as the iPhone and iPod, and even computers.

The technology detailed in the patent application, which was first reported by MacRumors, could enhance the battery life of gadgets. MacRumors and others say the patent application is from Apple but that is unclear from the document, which listed individuals (none of whom were Steve Jobs) as the inventors. Apple and the patent lawyer cited in the document did not returns calls seeking confirmation.

Using light to powering devices is not a new idea. Remember putting calculators under lamps to get them to work? One problem has been the constrained real estate of gadgets: in small spaces, where does one put the solar technology? The patent application indicates that the solar panels would be located behind the device's screen.

Others have worked on variations of this. Better Energy Systems makes a solar charger called the Solio that attaches to a window with a suction cup and transfers the energy to a device. An hour spent collecting sun rays in the Solio provides roughly 20 minutes of cellphone juice. Here's a package of stories Alex Pham wrote about how to get greener with consumer electronics, including the Solio.

If the solar-energy technology works, and Apple adopts it in its electronic devices, rest assured there will be a new crop of accessories to make the sunbathing iPod's experience as comfortable and fashionable as possible.

-- Michelle Quinn

Photo: A recent effort to break a sun-bathing record in Budapest, Hungary. Credit: Tamas Kovacs / EPA