News broke today that Apple filed a patent for a technology that would insert a layer of solar cells under the touch sensitive screen of the iPhone.

This is a stride forward as previous attempts to create solar powered MP3 players, cell phones and other mobile devices have failed because by the time the solar panel is added, there simply isn’t enough room on the object.

The genius of putting solar panels under the screen will allow the 2.4-inch by 4.5-inch glass face of the iPhone to — in effect– do dual duty as a solar panel.

If the patent Apple has filed is approved, this will make iPhone a truly indispensable device, especially in areas where limited access to electricity is a problem.

Additionally, international travelers will be able to charge up their iPhones without worrying about the current differences.

Thoughts are if Apple gets this technology approved it should make a race among the other cell phone and media companies to come up with similar technology to produce their own solar powered products.