poll What if your phone also double as your gaming rig or professional workstation?

[Results45]

Whew. Okay. This is a big topic.

 

The big question: Imagine having one device for all your computing. What would that look like?

 

This is how I imagine it.

 

First we have a 6-inch device in a smartphone form factor ~ like the Pixel 3XL:

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Unfolding it once transforms it into an 8-9 inch tablet:

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Unfold it once more along the top or side and we get ourselves a 11-13 inch touch screen device big enough to be a laptop (after attaching a keyboard):

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https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/11/surface-book-2-review-monster-performance-but-lightning-hasnt-struck-twice/

https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/08/31/hands-on-brydge-129-series-ii-keyboard-for-apples-ipad-pro-aims-for-macbook-style-feel-with-ridiculous-battery-life

 

 

ACCESSORIES ~ the following peripherals are not only supported by iPhones and iPads, but Mac, Windows, and Android as well (mostly):

 

Which Bluetooth mice and remote desktop services does my iOS device support?

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List of iPad-compatible Bluetooth Mice

• All work with Jump Desktop
• The Citrix X1 also works with Citrix apps
• The SwiftPoint mice also works with Team Viewer

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• Citrix X1 (requires the Citrix Workspace App for iOS ~ Android, Citrix XenApp/XenDesktop, or Jump Desktop App for iOS ~ Android ~ Windows ~ OS X)
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• SwiftPoint ProPoint & SwiftPoint GT (requires the TeamViewer: Remote Control iOS App or Jump Desktop App for iOS ~ Android ~ Windows ~ OS X)
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How can I use a USB mice & keyboard with my iPad?

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• Use OS X with your iPad Pro via Luna Display (requires a Mac and allows usage of a keyboard & mouse)
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• DoBox Hub ~ Use USB peripherals with iPhones and iPads via the in-app browser or by accessing a Mac remotely.

The "box" integrates the following:

1. Store-retrieve up to 64GB via Wi-Fi or USB-C
2. Wireless File Sharing
3. Screen Mirroring to external displays
4. 8000mAh external battery
5. USB-headphone jack-HDMI-Ethernet hub
6. MicroSD card reader Hotspot
7. Router Use of USB mice & keyboards.
8. Device management app

Review: https://www.macworld.com/article/3340831/the-dobox-can-eliminate-cable-clutter-and-share-files-wirelessly-for-255.html

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How can I best utilize my iPad Pro's USB-C port?

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Connecting Devices via USB-C

• VGA, HDMI, Display Port, headphone jack, USB-C, and USB 3.1 port adapters & dongles.
• Thunderbolt 3/Ethernet dongle
• Only images and video files can be transferred to/from SD or MicroSD cards via a card reader, cameras, and USB drives.
• Charging other devices via USB-C ~ like the Nintendo Switch ~ is supported
• External hard drives not yet supported by default (see wireless workarounds in spoiler below)
• Compatible with certain music production equipment (like the Apogee Jam audio converter) 
• Source article #1
• Source article #2

 

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What other devices can I wirelessly connect to my iOS device? 

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Many Bluetooth Peripherals......

• Includes most headphones/speakers, most keyboards, most game controllers, the Line 6 FX100 MIDI audio-effects processor, insulin pumps, and other things I don't know about):
• https://www.lifewire.com/does-ipad-support-bluetooth-1994315
• https://appleinsider.com/articles/18/08/23/here-are-five-of-the-best-ipad-compatible-keyboards-for-going-back-to-school
• List of MFi-approved (made-for-iOS) gamepads & controllers #1
• List of MFi-approved (made-for-iOS) gamepads & controllers #2

As well as screen casting & streaming devices:

• Any monitor, display, or TV with built-in mirroring capabilities,
• Chrome Cast
• Apple TV
• Roku TV (box & stick)
• Fire Stick
• others

 

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Don't worry, there's a version of the app for iOS, OS X, and Windows too 

 

• https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/minimed-connect/id999836914
• https://www.below-seven.com/2015/10/15/minimed-connect-review/
• https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/loop-blog/introducing-convenient-mobile-access-pump-cgm-data-minimed-connect/
• https://loopkit.github.io/loopdocs/
• https://www.healthline.com/diabetesmine/omnipod-smartphone-control-diabetes#5
• https://diatribe.org/how-i-loop-two-years-using-iphone-app-automate-my-insulin-delivery
• https://diatribe.org/tidepool-will-submit-loop-fda-diy-iphone-app-automated-insulin-delivery

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What "professional-grade" creativity software ~ or near-equivalents to those available on Windows and Mac OS ~ is there on iOS?

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Adobe Creative Cloud (starting 2019):

 

 

Luma Fusion: for those longing for Premiere Pro or Final Cut on their iPad Pro

More workflow guides & examples:

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Reviews:

• https://www.macworld.com/article/3286613/lumafusion-review-pro-video-editing-now-a-reality-on-ios-devices.html
• http://www.studiodaily.com/2018/12/review-lumafusion-ios/
• https://9to5mac.com/2017/06/25/lumafusion-best-video-editing-app-ipad-iphone-video/
• https://www.redsharknews.com/production/item/5582-you-can-now-do-full-professional-editing-on-an-iphone-or-ipad-here-s-our-review

 

 

Pro-grade DAWs & music production peripherals:

• https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/14-of-the-best-ipad-iphone-ios-daws-and-workspaces-574065
• https://www.musicradar.com/news/the-10-best-hardware-ios-music-making-accessories-audio-interfaces-controllers-and-mics-for-iphone-and-ipad
• https://www.cultofmac.com/413034/six-must-have-iphone-and-ipad-accessories-for-musicians/
• https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/music-gadgets-iphone-ipad/

Reviews:

• https://ask.audio/articles/review-apple-ipad-pro-2018-finally-the-tablet-for-musicians
• https://www.scoringnotes.com/news/ipad-pro-2018-thoughts/
• https://newzik.com/project/why-the-ipad-pro-is-built-for-musicians/

 

 

Sketch, paint, draw, ink, sculpt, photoshop, & 3D-modeling!

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Art & photoshop:

• https://www.creativebloq.com/digital-art/art-on-the-ipad-1232669
• https://www.creativebloq.com/software/ipad-apps-make-most-apple-pencil-121518448
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pixelmator/id924695435?
• https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/affinity-photo/id1117941080?
• https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/procreate/id425073498?
• https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/medibang-paint-for-ipad/id1003588804?

 

3D-modeling:

• https://all3dp.com/2/3d-design-app-3d-modeling-ipad-android/
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shapr3d/id1091675654
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/onshape-3d-cad/id923421284
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gravity-sketch/id951861015
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/autocad-360/id393149734
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/autodesk-formit/id575282599

 

Sculpting:

• https://www.putty3d.com/
• https://forgerapp.com/

Guides & Reviews:

• https://all3dp.com/autocad-tutorial-beginners/
• https://www.develop3d.com/reviews/review-onshape-q1-2018-CAD-3D-design-cloud
• http://dragonmountaindesign.com/2015/08/08/onshape-review/
• https://www.engineering.com/DesignSoftware/DesignSoftwareArticles/ArticleID/17019/Finally-an-Excuse-to-Get-an-iPad-Pro-Shapr3D.aspx

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 Note: Above is by no means a comprehensive list of iOS-supported peripherals, accessories, and creativity software. Android, Mac, and Windows devices support most if not everything else.

 

 

Transforming devices not your fancy? Maybe these alternatives will do:

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• https://www.airserver.com/
• https://airtame.com/compare/airserver-alternative/

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As I have touched-on in another thread, hardware solutions are only half the equation. What's the other half? Software!

 

Any owner of an iPad Pro can tell you that the device does not live-up to Apple's claim "desktop class utility" because Apple did include support for desktop-class, professional-grade software nor most productivity enhancing USB-C peripherals even though it has the proper hardware.

 

Nor is it officially foldable (yet xD):

 

Same goes for desktop docks for smartphones (like Dex) or pocket-size form factor Windows devices (e.g. GPD Pocket 2 & Mix 2 Yoga). Either the operating system does not support professional-grade versions of the mobile ones (i.e. Adobe Photoshop CC, Final Cut Pro X, Autodesk Suite, Office 2016, etc.) or the OS is up to par ~ like having Windows 10 ~ but the physical form factor is too small to do any real work -- either on it's own to do or on the go.

 

What else can bridge the gap?

 

Complete full-feature LINUX ON CHROME OS ~ even gaming!

 

 

I have not yet played around with this myself, but it seems Google has yet to work-out kinks like bugs when OS-switching, driver support, and hardware optimization.

 

Some tutorials, guides, and videos for those interested in installing & running Linux on Chromebooks:

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Installing Linux on Chrome OS:

• https://www.linux.com/learn/intro-to-linux/2017/3/how-install-debian-ubuntu-or-kali-linux-your-chromebook
• https://www.bennettnotes.com/install-linux-on-chromebook/
• https://www.linux.com/learn/how-easily-install-Ubuntu-Chromebook-crouton
• https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/06/how-to-install-linux-on-a-chromebook/
• https://www.howtogeek.com/363331/how-to-set-up-and-use-linux-apps-on-chrome-os/
• https://www.computerworld.com/article/3314739/how-to-use-linux-apps-on-chrome-os.html

 

[Linux Layer] Crouton Guides & Resources:

• Runs on top of Chrome OS via a KVM inside a container shell.
• https://www.linux.com/learn/how-easily-install-Ubuntu-Chromebook-crouton
• https://www.codedonut.com/chromebook/install-crouton-chromebook/
• https://www.androidauthority.com/crouton-turn-your-chromebook-into-far-more-than-a-glorified-web-browser-663044/
• https://www.linux.com/learn/intro-to-linux/2017/3/how-install-debian-ubuntu-or-kali-linux-your-chromebook
• https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/16/16656420/google-pixelbook-chromebook-development-linux-crouton-how-to
• https://www.howtogeek.com/210047/how-to-manage-the-crouton-linux-system-on-your-chromebook/
• https://github.com/dnschneid/crouton

 

[Linux Distro] GalliumOS Guides & Resources:

• A lightweight version of Linux optimized for Chrome OS ~ you can choose to run Gallium instead of Chrome OS when dual-booting.
• https://medium.com/@adrian.carroll7/how-to-dual-boot-chromeos-and-linux-a-step-by-step-guide-68ed5b073e1b
• https://galliumos.org/
• https://wiki.galliumos.org/Hardware_Compatibility

 

Crostini: Official Support for Linux Apps on Chrome OS:

• https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-add-linux-to-your-chromebook/
• https://blog.simos.info/a-closer-look-at-chrome-os-using-lxd-to-run-linux-gui-apps-project-crostini/
• https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Chrome_OS_devices/Crostini
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• https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromiumos/docs/+/master/containers_and_vms.md
• https://www.reddit.com/r/Crostini/wiki/index#wiki_how-to_pages
• https://www.reddit.com/r/Crostini/wiki/getstarted/crostini-setup-guide
• https://www.reddit.com/r/Crostini/wiki/getstarted/crostini-enabled-devices
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• https://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/developer-information-for-chrome-os-devices/running-virtual-machines-on-your-chromebook
• https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromiumos/platform/crosvm/+/2a2e2587b1799f265f5f1631228e9865fbf527ad/README.md
• https://chromium.googlesource.com/chromiumos/platform/tremplin/

 

Miscellaneous Resources:

• https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/13/17682902/google-windows-10-dual-boot-chromebooks-support-campfire
• https://discuss.linuxcontainers.org/t/using-lxd-on-your-chromebook/3823
• https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeos/comments/5zts0w/crouton_or_galliumos/
• https://www.aboutchromebooks.com/news/project-crostini-for-chromebooks-explained-in-15-minutes-video/
• https://gizmodo.com/how-to-get-more-out-of-your-chromebook-by-running-linux-1829058899
• https://www.linuxinsider.com/story/85799.html
• https://www.codeweavers.com/products/crossover-chromeos

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Just think about it: the phone that sits in my hand day in and day out with all of its ease of use is something I can make my laptop or even desktop just by connecting a keyboard and mouse. And when I do so all of the apps seamlessly scale from their lightweight mobile versions to their full "pro-grade" awesomeness ~ essentially no "OS bottlenecking".

 

Also, If I want run graphic-intensive applications on it I plug-in a keyboard with a co-GPU or external graphics card that ~ when I attach to my foldable ~ boosts or takes over from the integrated GPU when I am gaming, 3D-modeling, building a game, graphic designing, and video editing.

 

Furthermore I can would also be able to power augmented reality glasses or virtual-reality goggles through my "all-in-one" universal personal computing device just by tethering a Thunderbolt 3/4 USB-C cable between the two devices (or maybe even with a powerful-enough wireless connection with minimal lag).

 

Finally, if I wanted to add any more than "basic" or "typical" functionality to my universal personal computing device all I would need to do is plug-in or wirelessly connect the appropriate hardware and software.

 

 

 

Let the Do-it-All Device Wars begin,

Josh

 

 

P.S. This has been 10 hours of continuous effort in the making so any and all support, ideas, thoughts, and debate is welcome. 

[Enderman]

Anything that folds is just another point of failure.

[TheSLSAMG]

Just now, Enderman said:

Anything that folds is just another point of failure.

Not to mention that it just seems gimmicky at this point. I get why companies do it, but I still hate when they release products that serve simply as tech demos.

[Derrk]

tablets seem unnecessary to me, just give me my phone and desktop

[WereCatf]

8 minutes ago, Enderman said:

Anything that folds is just another point of failure.

It seems to me as if people have completely forgotten about the clamshell-phones of afore: back then, manufacturers weren't chasing the thinnest ever phones yet, which meant they could whip in much bigger hinges and yet broken hinges were a very common mode of failure. Alas, the displays didn't have to bend back then, which is another problem: mechanical stress is mechanical stress and it's not something that can be magicked away, therefore it will wear the display out sooner or later. Also, the second half is heavier now than it was back then, mostly because phones are bigger: as people are wont to do, once they get used to the phone, they'll start to do the same kind of a flick of their wrist to open the phone up one-handedly as they did with clamshells and that's going to put a hell of a strain on the hinges.

 

I fully expect most issues with folding phones to be worn-out displays and broken hinges, and that those two issues will be quite common.

[WereCatf]

11 minutes ago, Derrk said:

tablets seem unnecessary to me, just give me my phone and desktop

I do find tablets useful, personally. My desktop is a big, burly machine and not portable and my phone is too small to read any books on comfortably -- a tablet fits right in-between, making for comfortable, portable media-consumption devices. I use my tablet for reading books and comics on, and if I'm traveling, I also use it for watching Netflix and Plex and shit.

[Enderman]

5 minutes ago, WereCatf said:

It seems to me as if people have completely forgotten about the clamshell-phones of afore:

Nope.

I think the way phones are today is a huge improvement over sliders and flip phones.

All the mechanical selfie cam phones being released are just a step back.

 

Even with a full mechanical hinge without a folding screen there already are problems with dirt and dust and water getting in, as well as hinges loosening over time, etc.

Just look at all the hinge problems that laptops have. Too stiff, too loose, loosening over time, wires breaking over time.......

 

A solid rigid device is simply the most reliable engineering choice.

Minimize variables.

If you need something bigger then buy a bigger phone, or dock the phone at home or work with a full size monitor.

[Derrk]

10 minutes ago, WereCatf said:

I do find tablets useful, personally. My desktop is a big, burly machine and not portable and my phone is too small to read any books on comfortably -- a tablet fits right in-between, making for comfortable, portable media-consumption devices. I use my tablet for reading books and comics on, and if I'm traveling, I also use it for watching Netflix and Plex and shit.

to each their own. I totally get the e-reader aspect, but it bothers my eyes after a while. i prefer books on paper

[WereCatf]

Just now, Derrk said:

to each their own. I totally get the e-reader aspect, but it bothers my eyes after a while. i prefer books on paper

So do I, but alas, eBooks are a lot cheaper. Case in point, I was just looking yesterday that I want three books from Packt Publishing; in eBook-form they'd cost about 80€, as physical books it'd be 117€ -- for me and my wallet, that is a big difference.

 

Also, I can carry a lot larger selection of books and comics on a tablet than I could in physical form.

[Results45]

Just found this last night:

 

https://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-expandable-display-smartphone-patent_id103391

 

On 4/9/2019 at 9:06 PM, Enderman said:

Anything that folds is just another point of failure.

 

I think the way phones are today is a huge improvement over sliders and flip phones.

All the mechanical selfie cam phones being released are just a step back.

 

Even with a full mechanical hinge without a folding screen there already are problems with dirt and dust and water getting in, as well as hinges loosening over time, etc.

Just look at all the hinge problems that laptops have. Too stiff, too loose, loosening over time, wires breaking over time.......

 

A solid rigid device is simply the most reliable engineering choice.

Minimize variables.

If you need something bigger then buy a bigger phone, or dock the phone at home or work with a full size monitor.

The same could be said of 5-7 inch smartphones back in circa 2000. Back then everyone carried around keypad phones like this:

They were darn right idiotic easy to use, easy to hold, expendable, supremely durable, had easily 2 days of battery, came with basic games, and weighed as little as little as an eighth of a pound (66g).

 

Some were shockingly pretty too:

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Then the iPhone with iOS came along in 2007 and turned our phones into the versatile desktop-replacing slabs we know today, but tell that to almost anyone 20 years ago and you would be hard pressed not to get scoffed at.

 

Sure I care about durability and longevity of something I'm going to buy as my daily driver for the next 2-4 years, but does it need to last forever? No.

 

Physical parts are designed to work as long as the expected average consumer lifespan of the product as long as the device did not ship with defects or is exposed to conditions it wasn't designed to handle.

 

The form factor of phones has roughly gone from bricks to hinged clamshells to mini-slabs to sliders then back to slabs and now potentially back to hinges.

 

What I'm trying to argue is that how a phone (or any other personal computing device) physically operates does not matter as long as it doesn't break within the first days or months of first usage and does the things people want it to do ~ calling, messaging-email, web browsing, using apps, taking pictures, music, gaming, etc.

 

People adapt. As long as there is market demand and the product they buy works as advertised, they'll use it. Any innovation that emerges in technology and how solid it lasts is only limited by our imagination, how well it is designed, and the quality of manufacturing. That is, as long as software can keep up. 

 

 

[Results45]

This is somewhat of a crude visualization, but it works:

And here's images of the "S-fold" mechanism again:

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source: https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=US234731558&tab=DRAWINGS&maxRec=1000

 

If would also be pretty great if the detachable keyboard "base" had these qualities:

• Support for any touchscreen device with USB-C Thunderbolt 3 or USB 4.0
• Various generic sizes (holds devices up to 8, 11, & 14-inches)
• Compact & foldable (either in half or in thirds)
• Weighs less than the LG Gram 17 or Surface Book 2 13.5" (3.3lbs/1.5kg)
• 48-96Wh battery
• Adjustable 360^o hinged mechanism to hold a wide range of devices at different angles (smartphones, iPads, foldables, Nintendo Switch, Windows/OS X detachables, etc.)
• Tactile keyboard (as good as LG Grams, Surface Book 2, X1 Carbon, and high-end HP laptops)
• Decent-sounding integrated speakers (like ones by Bang & Olufsen, Harman Kardon or as good-sounding as in iPad Pros, Macbook Pros, and Matebook Xs)
• Additional storage: 2 x M.2 SSD slots (up to 4TB)
• Discreet GPU: up to RX 670/Vega 51/Navi 34, VegaRTX 3060/GTX 2260ti MAX-Q, Iris Pro 1080, or Intel Xe ?70
• Ports: 1 x headphone jack, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x MicroSD card reader, 2 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 3 or USB 4.0), &  2 x USB 4.0 Type A

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In summary, the compact keyboard base imagined would be similar to Brydge keyboards but with stereo speakers, adjustable hinge-grips, universal device support via USB-C, and dedicated graphics.

 

Ideas? Thoughts?

[Results45]

A step in the right direction I guess.......

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[Results45]

Is everyone sick of this topic already?