EVO 4G Tablet Dock (Concept)

[Lokifish]

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

The two issues to the whole thing was mirroring (fixed) and usb host. Without usb host there's really no solution. If the Evo can get a working usb host mode, some of the better touch panels simply show up as a HID device and use standard HID drivers. Lets say that there's mirroring and usb host for the Evo and everything works, it would still limited to custom ROMs.

It bites that the tech has been around for ten years (Toshiba E740) but it wasn't until the Atrix that anybody actually put some advertising money behind it.

 

[Sholland91]

The two issues to the whole thing was mirroring (fixed) and usb host. Without usb host there's really no solution. If the Evo can get a working usb host mode, some of the better touch panels simply show up as a HID device and use standard HID drivers. Lets say that there's mirroring and usb host for the Evo and everything works, it would still limited to custom ROMs.

It bites that the tech has been around for ten years (Toshiba E740) but it wasn't until the Atrix that anybody actually put some advertising money behind it.

I found this online earlier: DisplayLink for android (latested version) - ビーグル板の冒険
but I have not really looked into it yet. I think once the USB host issue is solved, this could easily become a reality. I unfortunately do not know a thing about coding, so I will definitely need help on that.

Ideally, this design would be integrated with a new phone (similar to the Atrix), but I envision this working with a handful of compatible phones with USB and HDMI capabilities (eg EVO, Droid X and any new phone). Compatibility is limited only to the amount of dock inserts one can make, and the size of the phone.

Eventually, however, I could see this becoming a stand alone tablet. Can you imagine purchasing a Tablet with swappable "cores"? The hardware would stay the same, but you could buy different combinations of internals that could be upgradeable. For instance, This device could work on an EVO, but then you could buy a "core" that contained a CPU, wireless cards, a data plan, a camera etc. You would only need to insert that core into the tablet to use it, and other devices could use that core as well such as a desktop or car radio.

 

[zuzonline]

I want to see it!!!

 

[cloak.n.dagger]

At this point, I think it would all come down to pricing. This would have been awesome to have right at launch or just after, but with so many new devices hitting the market with updated HW, having an extension of my EVO wouldn't compare to having a Moto Xoom. However, with the Xoom WiFi sitting at $600+ if your dock were in the $200 range then you might just have a winner. I think more handset devices need to come with alternative options like this. Your work is amazing and should be something that all manufactures consider, especially with the high demand for tablets.

 

[tube517]

Yeah, but is there an extended battery and a case that will fit it? J/K

Seriously, looks really cool. I'd buy that.

 

[paradroid]

Very cool. Make sure you get that patent through. The big boys will be coming and will pay you off just to get your patent out of the way.

This fits right in with the Future Vision of Corning's Gorilla Glass Video. Phone processors will be able to power everything in our lives, from our desktops to entertainment centers. (If the machines don't take over and start harvesting us for energy first)

 

[Glenn]

(If the machines don't take over and start harvesting us for energy first)

I, for one, welcome our computer overlords.

 

[Sholland91]

Thanks again guys for all the support, this is my first design that I've shared online and I'm glad other people appreciate it. I really want to make this a reality and make versions for a variety of devices (Droid x, evo, atrix etc.). I've been contacting various display companies to find the right one for the prototype and have made some progress on the drivers. Ill keep you all posted with the progress and will be posting more renders as this design evolves. I hope to post this on kickatarter eventually and make this a reality

 

[ajada85]

yes

 

[TheOnlyMorgan]

Really nice concept! Would be nice if HTC came up with something or took notes from you. The placement of the USB and HDMI on the EVO is something that should be exploited for a nice dock or tablet.

 

[mackinley]

Phone and Tablet

great concept, saves some weight and cost, but maybe they would be better as independent devices with some automagic syncing of data from one to the other.?

 

[Sholland91]

This is the ASUS PadFone -- Engadget

I guess asus beat me to it haha. They use the same connectors, and if it runs ice cream sandwich it will be perfect.

 

[firedroidguy]

It looks great now if it were just for sale

 

[mahalla23]

I really like this idea but you could try making one for the evo 3d as well