BEIJING, May 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Employees at computer, phone and software company Apple have filed a patent to place solar cells on portable devices, Trade the News reported Monday.

    Outfitted with such technology, Apple's devices, like the iPhone, could have photovoltaic cells stacked underneath LCD touch screens, thus maximizing the area available for harnessing the sun.

    The filing said information regarding the performance of a device's solar cells could be displayed on the main screen next to info for battery power, text message alerts and time of day. Or this information could also appear on top of the solar cells themselves, which are likely to display some version of the Apple logo.

    Apple's new technology could herald the next generation of wireless mobility. Without the need to electrically charge devices -- either via outlets or USB cables -- users could break free from on-the-grid power connections.

    (Agencies)