Apple‘s patent application for a universal battery system has been approved. The patent application was filed in March 2010 and described as a “method and system for recharging batteries for wireless electronic devices”. The patent describes a system that could have standard, rechargeable batteries that are able to power a multitude of devices.
Most Apple products are defined by a non-removable battery but now Apple has patented a universal removable battery system. This invention would allow Apple to use batteries from lithium-polymer or similar materials into commonly sized packs and interchangeable between different Apple devices. This provides all the benefits of removable, rechargeable batteries with a longer lifespan than an old set of AAs.
These universal batteries could have serviceable cores and computers could even alternate between charging the batteries. The serviceable core could also be used to extend the runtime of MacBooks. Imagine one battery system that you could use to power your Macbook, iPhone, iPad, iPod, wireless mouse and keyboard. If your iPhone battery goes low, you could switch it with a battery from your iPad. The various Apple gadgets have various power requirements, but Apple has thought of that too…
But not all patents end up on the shelves as an actual product, so there’s no guarantees Apple is still interested in replacing those disposables, let alone any sealed-in batteries. What Apple plans to do with this patent remains a mystery, but it’s definitely different from the route the company has recently taken.