08-04-2021, 11:11 AM
I saw a very similar post when searching here: https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=7879
Anyway I'm glad others had the same idea that I did. I had the Moto Atrix 4G. It was my first smartphone back when I had AT$T. A week after I got it a way to get root was released, about a week after that the first custom ROMs showed up (as limited as they were since they were still based on Motorola's.) Sadly any development died for the device after a few years. Eventually I got a lapdock but found it a bit annoying to use (still neat though). Was much easier for me to plug it into the TV directly and then use a keyboard.
Wanted to add that it'd be neat if the phone was used as the touchpad itself though, and second information display for whatever. Obviously the phone connections couldn't change much so they'd still fit in nicely when newer models of phone are released. Though just connecting it form the side with a USB-C cable would probably be better (and might even work with other phone manufacturers as well!)
Also maybe have an option for newer PineBooks to switch from the internal board to use an external phone or other device via a USB-C cable sorta like the photo in OP.
Alternatively (and this is WAY off) maybe a HMD. Even non VR would be good. I'm just not a huge fan of the laptop form factor anymore having the input that close to the output. Much more ergonomic to use an external screen at eye level. Maybe something like the Avgant Glyph (but better since it flopped, I think poor design and too many compromises killed that. I had one and sold it to a friend. Still love the idea of it though.)
I also had a similar idea for a car's head-unit infotainment thing. Would be cool to just have one device that could interface with everything.
Anyway I'm glad others had the same idea that I did. I had the Moto Atrix 4G. It was my first smartphone back when I had AT$T. A week after I got it a way to get root was released, about a week after that the first custom ROMs showed up (as limited as they were since they were still based on Motorola's.) Sadly any development died for the device after a few years. Eventually I got a lapdock but found it a bit annoying to use (still neat though). Was much easier for me to plug it into the TV directly and then use a keyboard.
Wanted to add that it'd be neat if the phone was used as the touchpad itself though, and second information display for whatever. Obviously the phone connections couldn't change much so they'd still fit in nicely when newer models of phone are released. Though just connecting it form the side with a USB-C cable would probably be better (and might even work with other phone manufacturers as well!)
Also maybe have an option for newer PineBooks to switch from the internal board to use an external phone or other device via a USB-C cable sorta like the photo in OP.
Alternatively (and this is WAY off) maybe a HMD. Even non VR would be good. I'm just not a huge fan of the laptop form factor anymore having the input that close to the output. Much more ergonomic to use an external screen at eye level. Maybe something like the Avgant Glyph (but better since it flopped, I think poor design and too many compromises killed that. I had one and sold it to a friend. Still love the idea of it though.)
I also had a similar idea for a car's head-unit infotainment thing. Would be cool to just have one device that could interface with everything.