EVO 4G Tablet Dock (Concept)

[Sholland91]

Hey Guys,
I have had this idea for a while and just got around to making some concept renders of a tablet that the EVO would dock into.

This 10.1" tablet would work only when the EVO is docked in it (a la Atrix 4G). The tablet would utilize the camera, headphone jack and processor of the EVO 4G, while using the mini HDMI and USB ports to transmit data and images. There is an internal battery, front facing camera, volume rocker, mini HDMI, and mini USB port on the tablet to make using the device easier.

Advantages of a tablet dock:
-Less expensive (after phone is purchased) than a standalone tablet
-Real integration of phone and tablet (contacts, pictures, apps etc)
-Keeping bulk to one side reduces the torque on the wrist and makes the tablet seem lighter
-Using existing phone to power the tablet reduces the amount of internal components, reducing the thickness of the majority of the tablet

Disadvantages:
-Dependant on phone specs (CPU, WiMAX, etc)
-Not compatible with other phones (although I think Google should standardize phone connections and locations)

I would love feedback and suggestions, and keep in mind this is a first gen concept. I will be updating this based on what people have to think.

UPDATE: New pictures with Phone and alternate layout
Also, I'm researching 10.1" touch screens, need to find usb drivers for touch screen to get them to work for android. This is going to be a tough one haha

Software:
I'm thinking that a tasker profile could be created to automatically launch HDMwIn and a resolution resizing app when docked, and to load an alternate launcher to turn this into a tablet. I am messing around with ADW and increasing the amount of icons that can be viewed on a page to take advantage of the bigger real estate.

Enjoy!

 

[2CupsWithString]

at least the concept has honeycomb.

 

[Cubfan]

This is brilliant. Someone needs to make it, and I'll buy it.

 

[stopsign002]

This is a really cool idea. I think we will see companies start to use these docks more and more as times goes on. Basically everyone will have one device and docks for their various tasks they need to do. The market could easily go this way as mobile devices close the gap on desktops (though right now my desktop would absolutely spank my EVO of course, though doesnt help I have a VERY nice desktop...)

 

[Sholland91]

at least the concept has honeycomb.

nothing wrong with wishing!

 

[vnmous1]

I wonder if the EVO has enough video power to make the screen happen; not to mention the touch UI inputs needed to get *back* to the unit itself.

That said, an awesome thought!

bj

 

[Sholland91]

I wonder if the EVO has enough video power to make the screen happen; not to mention the touch UI inputs needed to get *back* to the unit itself.

That said, an awesome thought!

bj

HDMI out on the EVO has recently been enabled by HDMwIn through a custom kernel, but input is still the big issue. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[2CupsWithString]

HDMI out on the EVO has recently been enabled by HDMwIn through a custom kernel, but input is still the big issue. Thanks for the feedback!

Maybe something like a digitizer hooked up to the micro USB port to feed input back.

W/using the HDMI you can probably get it even a little better as the Evo's screen should be disabled while it's docked. - Might make things simpler.

 

[Sholland91]

Maybe something like a digitizer hooked up to the micro USB port to feed input back.

W/using the HDMI you can probably get it even a little better as the Evo's screen should be disabled while it's docked. - Might make things simpler.

Yeah, exactly! Unfortunately, I have no idea how to code and would love to make a prototype of this. I cannot find any reports of an external touchscreen working on an android phone. Maybe if the touch commands are sent as a mouse insead of finger presses? Or maybe there is a way to modify the connector from the EVO's digitizer to allow another digitizer to plug in and emulate the one on the device?

 

[thecarline]

Granted I like the concept; the issue is; once you get to that many internal components on the device, you end up having an issue with the price; so you may save $50 but for $50 more you can have two devices.

In all honesty; I think the better device actually might be a touch screen tablet with no camera/outputs; other than perhaps a micro-usb and a wi-fi connection. Then you may be looking at either using the device as an additional monitor or something that can receive a signal from your device either through the usb or the wi-fi signal and interact that way. Think of how awkward is is to video chat with someone where you have to hold the device. But imagine if you could video chat with someone using your phone's camera but then see them on a larger tablet. (This may be similar to Intel's wireless HDMI signal from a few years back).

Granted your mock-ups look great; and I like the idea. I'm just not sure the pricing would make sense compared to other market items.

 

[Sholland91]

Granted I like the concept; the issue is; once you get to that many internal components on the device, you end up having an issue with the price; so you may save $50 but for $50 more you can have two devices.

In all honesty; I think the better device actually might be a touch screen tablet with no camera/outputs; other than perhaps a micro-usb and a wi-fi connection. Then you may be looking at either using the device as an additional monitor or something that can receive a signal from your device either through the usb or the wi-fi signal and interact that way. Think of how awkward is is to video chat with someone where you have to hold the device. But imagine if you could video chat with someone using your phone's camera but then see them on a larger tablet. (This may be similar to Intel's wireless HDMI signal from a few years back).

Granted your mock-ups look great; and I like the idea. I'm just not sure the pricing would make sense compared to other market items.

Even without the camera, you are not including the antennas, the headphone jack, the processor, a battery, and the for usb and mini hdmi connections in the tablet because you already have them. This must be more than $50 but surely less than $150 or so, obviously. Putting a wifi card and an interface for that to the display would already bring the tablet back up in complexity, and therefore price. As for the inputs on the tablet, they would only act as passthroughs to allow you to charge the device and use the mini HDMI port while docked.

 

[Glenn]

IMO...

Needs some sort of "door" to keep the phone locked in when docked. I mean, sure, the micro USB and micro HDMI ports are pretty tight, but with the opening facing downwards, I wouldn't want to rely on only the connectors to keep it in place.

Placement of the phone might have to be changed to fully leverage the rear-facing camera when docked.

 

[2CupsWithString]

IMO...

Needs some sort of "door" to keep the phone locked in when docked. I mean, sure, the micro USB and micro HDMI ports are pretty tight, but with the opening facing downwards, I wouldn't want to rely on only the connectors to keep it in place.

Placement of the phone might have to be changed to fully leverage the rear-facing camera when docked.

And you can just have a hole in the top bezel for the front facing camera.

I'm not sure what people are saying about connectivity for the tablet, it's really just a visual output and a digitizer, hopefully some external speakers.

To hold it in place, it should be like the bottom half of one of those cases that slide over the Evo, so you kind of lay it in place, then have something that slides up and snaps in to place to hold it there.

 

[Sholland91]

And you can just have a hole in the top bezel for the front facing camera.

I'm not sure what people are saying about connectivity for the tablet, it's really just a visual output and a digitizer, hopefully some external speakers.

To hold it in place, it should be like the bottom half of one of those cases that slide over the Evo, so you kind of lay it in place, then have something that slides up and snaps in to place to hold it there.

Yeah there would be something that would hold the phone in place, maybe a tab that slid out to stop the phone. I'll add that to the design later on. I envisioned the part that holds the phone to be just like a sliding case for the phone, so it cannot go in or come out without sliding. The only issue I see is covering the headphone jack.

I think a sliding cover would be to easy to lose, and would increase the amount of parts (to 2 haha). External speakers would be sweet, although unless this is possible through mini HDMI it would be impractical.

As for the placement of the phone, I think this design would still allow the headphone jack to be used, while also providing connections for mini USB and HDMI. The camera is still in a comfortable position in this mode, though it is a little low. The reason the phone is docked vertically is to reduce the torque and make the tablet seem lighter, as mentioned in the original post.



thanks everyone for the feedback! I'll keep updating the design with the suggestions I've received.

 

[Lokifish]

Already submitted patent (back when the Touch Pro came out) that also includes dock modules to accept any phone with av out, still pending but Motorola has better lawyers than I do.

 

[Sholland91]

Already submitted patent (back when the Touch Pro came out) that also includes dock modules to accept any phone with av out, still pending but Motorola has better lawyers than I do.

you submitted the patent? Nice! Zune has a dock that accepts all zune models with custom inserts, and I believe Apple may as well. This application would be more difficult unless HTC standardizes their ports and their layout

 

[Lokifish]

you submitted the patent? Nice! Zune has a dock that accepts all zune models with custom inserts, and I believe Apple may as well. This application would be more difficult unless HTC standardizes their ports and their layout

This is a simplification but imagine a pci card that has connectors for a specific phone on it. In order to change compatibility to a different phone all that's needed is a different docking card and cover. The only issue is when the phone has a case, like Otterbox for example, and that can be worked around by putting the phone connectors on a slider mount. The entire docking module could also be made user swappable without a lot of work.

 

[Sholland91]

This is a simplification but imagine a pci card that has connectors for a specific phone on it. In order to change compatibility to a different phone all that's needed is a different docking card and cover. The only issue is when the phone has a case, like Otterbox for example, and that can be worked around by putting the phone connectors on a slider mount. The entire docking module could also be made user swappable without a lot of work.

so is it basically a modular connector with the plugs for the phone in the corresponding positions? Sounds sweet

 

[mortonkd]

I don't understand what the fascination is with a tablet. Tablets can't do anything compared to a netbook, and you can get a netbook for less money. I hope the tablet is not a fad that will soon fade away, cool idea nonetheless.

 

[Sholland91]

NEW PICTURES ADDED! Wahoo!

I spent a ton of time yesterday modeling the phone, as well as an alternate docking solution (right side up).

I'm also currently researching ways to actually build this. I have found some 10.1" touch screens online, but I need to find a way to get the drivers working on the phone. I also ordered an HTC dock today to hack up into a docking solution for the tablet. I think the first generation prototype will be made of wood, because it is easier to work with, less expensive, and looks sexy