Should the Cupertino, California-based company decide to launch a smartwatch, the device is likely to be equipped with an eco-friendly power source never before seen on an Apple product, based on solar energy or induction, according to the New York Times.

 

The newspaper reports that Apple has long experimented with solar charging and is currently stepping up its efforts to develop alternatives to traditional batteries. While solar charging was not a viable option for smartphones, which are too often carried in dark pockets, things could be different with smartwatches. As a thin layer placed on a slightly curved screen of a smartwatch, a solar charger could continually harness energy throughout the day, reducing or even eliminating the need to plug it in.

 

Plans such as these could allow Apple to differentiate its future smartwatch from competitors such as the Samsung Galaxy Gear or the Sony SmartWatch 2.

 

A source also told the New York Times that the company could eventually introduce a wireless charging method, such as the solution Nokia provides with some of its smartphones.

 

Even if Apple does not use these innovative charging technologies in a future smartwatch, which may be nothing more than a glimmer in Apple fans' eyes, the brand could introduce similar tech in future generations of the iPhone.