The Surface Kickstand is one of the most ingenious and best features of the Surface Pro and Surface Pro X. In a new patent, Microsoft now describes a tablet cover with a keyboard, kickstand and integrated solar panels. This enables energy to be generated for the keyboard and tablet.
Keyboard cover with solar panelsThe keyboard cover has a kickstand, which is reminiscent of that of the Surface Pro. On the back are the solar panels, through which the device can be charged. It says:
A cover for a mobile device includes solar panels and an integrated keyboard. The solar panels are positioned on a stand of the cover and an angle associated with the solar panels can be changed so as to maximize input from a light source. The cover can be used to supply power and keyboard input to a mobile device while in use.
A cover for a mobile device contains solar cells and an integrated keyboard. The solar panels are positioned on a stand of the cover and an angle connected to the solar panels can be changed to maximize the input of a light source. The cover can be used to provide power and keyboard input to a mobile device during use.
The patent can be seen
here.
Such a cover would definitely be interesting. Whether Microsoft will ever market such a product is, of course, another matter.
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