Apple may be going green in the next few years, based on the latest patents given to the company, which reveal solar cells may soon be in all of Apple’s devices.
Apple appears to be creating a new device that can let natural light in and absorb the energy via solar cells in the devices. The key component in the patent is Smart Glass, or electrochromic glass. Acting like sunglasses, the glass can fluctuate its translucency to filter in light.
See also: Apple Is Falling Behind in the Smartphone Game
The idea is to have a layer of photovoltaic cells – cells found in solar panels that absorb energy – located behind the LCD screen on the back of the device to work with the Smart Glass. Since the Smart Glass can sense when natural light is present and filter more light in, the solar cells would absorb more energy when needed and available. This gives new meaning to the term “smart device.”
Apple was also granted a patent for rear-facing touch controls, a design made with a game-user in mind. These new controls would be on the back of the iPad or iPhone, where your hand curves and your fingers rest. For those who use either device for playing games, the controls would feel more like a real game controller.
The patents revealed one last secret: Apple may be experimenting with cellular connected devices, like a laptop running on a cellular network. As Apple continues celebrating thirty years of Macs, it seems that is hasn't stopped planning for more innovations.

Start the morning off right with this app that wakes you up to your favorite music, has built-in weather information and can be integrated with Facebook and Twitter updates.
This app is simple to use for your daily run. It maps your route, offers nutrition information, tracks your time, distance and speed, and even lets you post your stats to social media accounts.
Public transportation can be fickle, so this app comes in handy when you need to check service changes or find quicker routes to get to work on time. HopStop has travel information available for 62 cities and counting.
Named Apple's iPad App of the Year in 2010 and one of TIME's Top 50 Innovations, Flipboard is "your (pocket-sized) social magazine." The app creates a magazine out of everything being shared with you — Facebook updates, tweets, Instagram photos, etc. — within categories you choose (News, Politics, Design, etc.). Literally flip through this app with your finger and you'll always be in the loop.
Similar to Flipboard, this app also turns your iPhone into an innovative magazine, but it focuses on bringing you updates from top publications, blogs and trends. Google Currents will keep you informed with the latest news when you're on the go.
Good music can definitely add a little something to your day, so use these apps when your train is running late or when your colleague has a particularly annoying cough. Pandora Radio gives you a personalized music experience with new music discovery you'll love, while Spotify gives you instant access to 15 million tracks.
Note: While the Spotify app is free, access to music requires a monthly fee.
This app keeps you organized across all of the devices you use. You can take notes during meetings, make to-do lists, take photos of whiteboard ideas, record voice reminders and share everything with your colleagues, classmates or friends. The search function is especially useful to keep track of your tasks.
Dropbox gives you access to your documents, photos and videos wherever you are. You can add files to "Favorites" for offline viewing and download email attachments directly to the app.
Whether you're looking for a good restaurant to conduct a lunch meeting or for some stellar takeout to bring back to your desk, this app makes meal times easy. Urbanspoon lets you search for eateries based on location or cuisine, and the "shake" feature randomly finds you a new place to eat. You can even make reservations from the palm of your hand.
Wind down with your favorite TV shows and films on Crackle, the top-rated app in the App Store Rewind 2011 iPhone entertainment category. Crackle hosts hundreds of shows and movies available for streaming on demand, all for free.
If that jackhammer starts a little too early in the morning, or if there's a bit too much snoring in your vicinity, this may be the app for you. Relax Melodies delivers on its name, creating white noise to help you rest up for another day.