3 ms·

I like the modularity idea, I don't know if I'd want to be swapping components five times a day though. If the idea is just to have the same files/data on all

by smorrow 12y ago

I like the modularity idea, I don't know if I'd want to be swapping components five times a day though. If the idea is just to have the same files/data on all your "different" devices, I think I like the idea of running a central fileserver with that stuff on it, and having separate phone, desktop, etc, that each do two or three things and do them well, and they all mount the fileserver, which has a much storage as you want, gets backed up regularly, is where indexing happens, is where long-running downloads happen. and everything mounting that gets the same files. oh, and a server is less likely to go missing or stolen or soaked. Your idea is the simplest way to preserve application state between "different" devices, my idea is the best way to preserve saved-file state (and only that) between using different devices. Your idea has been done to some extent by the Motorola Lapdock, but I don't actually know anything about it.

bane 12y ago
One of the problems of course with all this mode changing is that software has to support it. Look at all the weeping over supporting a few Android screen sizes, now throw in keyboarding, vs. touchscreen vs. whatever input device and the complexity gets pretty crazy. It would definitely require a big change in software development practices.
jkimmel 12y ago
You're indeed correct that Moto attempted something similar with the Atrix. As a onetime Moto Webdock owner though, I'll attest to the fact that the grandparents dream is far from realized. At the time, the phone was simply too underpowered to provide a usable experience running just a browser (outdated Firefox at that). I picked the accessory up on Craigslist and it quickly found a resting place in my closet -- it was neat, but only in the proof of concept sense. I'd love to see a company attempt something similar with today's hardware. A phone like the Nexus 5 / HTC One could provide a pretty slick experience, given enough RAM.

by smorrow 12y ago

bane 12y ago

One of the problems of course with all this mode changing is that software has to support it. Look at all the weeping over supporting a few Android screen sizes, now throw in keyboarding, vs. touchscreen vs. whatever input device and the complexity gets pretty crazy. It would definitely require a big change in software development practices.

jkimmel 12y ago

You're indeed correct that Moto attempted something similar with the Atrix. As a onetime Moto Webdock owner though, I'll attest to the fact that the grandparents dream is far from realized. At the time, the phone was simply too underpowered to provide a usable experience running just a browser (outdated Firefox at that). I picked the accessory up on Craigslist and it quickly found a resting place in my closet -- it was neat, but only in the proof of concept sense. I'd love to see a company attempt something similar with today's hardware. A phone like the Nexus 5 / HTC One could provide a pretty slick experience, given enough RAM.