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Oh hey guys, this is us. Thanks for posting! I wasn't going to post our product in HN, since tech-specs wise this tends to be a high-end audience, but I wanted
by ajiang 10y ago
Oh hey guys, this is us. Thanks for posting!
I wasn't going to post our product in HN, since tech-specs wise this tends to be a high-end audience, but I wanted to share a little bit about what we're trying to accomplish and the reasoning behind the entry level specs.
The Superbook is the attempt to prove that the concept of device convergence and the benefits of continuum are exciting enough to 1) get most people to not need a laptop and 2) to provide mobile-first economies to have an affordable option to do work without switching OS or need to buy another device.
Is it going to replace the MBP in silicon valley? Not yet. Most of the time I require higher specs too. But for most of the world that uses their laptop primarily for browsing the internet, writing documents, and watching movies on a larger screen - it's enough. And it's also affordable enough that everyone can try the concept out. We're aiming to build both the hardware and software that makes this possible, with enough flexibility that you can run it on any Android phone and with no technical knowledge needed.
What's probably my favorite use case: having come from a non-profit background (YC S14, Bayes Impact) it's really awesome to see tech impact the world. We are really really excited to be working with the Nelson Mandela Long Walk to Freedom Education Project to provide Superbooks to kids in South Africa so they can learn without restraints. Even having the basic keyboard, mouse, and display will provide a great opportunity to better take in content and engage.
Happy to pop back in [doing Kickstarter support for the next hour] and answer questions if folks on HN are curious. We're also in SF, so feel free to reach out and drop by to see the prototypes! (email in profile)
- larrik 10y agoIs there any way your hardware would support something like being the KVM for a headless server (or family member's computer that you are working on) or something?
- apendleton 10y agoSeems unlikely, given that it lacks any kind of networking (it relies on the phone for that). Of course, with a phone plugged into it you could use an android VNC app.
- larrik 10y agoI meant physically plugging it in.
- ajiang 10y agoSo as long as you can connect the usb port on to the headless server to the Superbook, and install the correct driver first. Then yes, the Superbook can be used as KVM for Windows/OSX and some linux computers. I'll put my disclaimer here of: theoretically possible but not tested.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- Kurtz79 10y agoCool, I'll repost here. I having trouble wrapping my mind around how this might possibly work. It is mentioned that "all that it takes" is launching the application on the phone. Then what ? All that is shown on the video is a static screenshot. Assuming this application is able to generate video-out through USB or communicate via USB with another CPU, without OS or the phone manufacturer's support, will this application have access to the other applications on the Android phone ? How ? I'm not familiar with Android, but if I'm not mistaken on iOS this would be impossible. Doesn't each app run in it's own sandbox, only visible by the smartphone OS ?
- ajiang 10y agoAh so we are the makers of Andromium, an android app that provides Android in the desktop interface. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andromium.os&hl=en https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andromium....
- Kurtz79 10y agoThat's great, I'll try it, how does it work ?
- AjithAntony 10y agohttp://www.displaylink.com/downloads/android http://www.displaylink.com/downloads/android
- ajiang 10y agoYou got it. DisplayLink plus our launcher enables us to be plugged in and run right on the Superbook.