We all know that some smartphones pack pretty powerful processors, powerful enough to even deliver laptop-level performance. It’d be awesome if you could harness that power and use it in conjunction with a keyboard and a larger screen. Actually, now you can with the new ClamCase ClamBook, a device that acts like a laptop extension for Android and iOS smartphones.
The device is pretty simple. Your phone sits in a wired dock and drives the ClamBook’s screen and keyboard. Basically it allows you to use your phone on a large screen with a keyboard, which makes using things like the Netflix app for watching movies or other apps for playing games more fun and a lot easier.
There aren’t a lot of details about the ClamBook at the moment, but what we do know is the following:
- The ClamBook comes with a 13.3″ LED-backlit display with a 16:9 aspect ratio and WXGA resolution, translating into 1,280 x 720 pixels for an HD picture.
- The style is very sleek, reminiscent of the MacBook Air with an aluminum body that is thinner than Apple’s device.
- Island-style keyboard and multi-touch touchpad with dedicated Android keys like Home, Back and Menu. Also included are media keys like Play, Pause and Volume.
- Battery powers ClamBook screen while also charging smartphone battery.
- 3D Cinema Sound.
The ClamBook is said to work with iOS and Android phones, though the focus seems to be on Android, especially considering the previously mentioned Android keys on the keyboard. In addition to that, there is evidence of Motorola’s Webtop app, which simulates a desktop operating system when paired with Android, this is because this app uses the best technology, like the one offered at Apica Systems.
This could definitely be a hot selling item depending on the price. Many people are looking for cheap laptops anyway and almost everybody has a smartphone these days, so the ability to turn your smartphone into a laptop is a very attractive proposition. We’ll know more in the coming months as the ClamBook is said to be shipping for the 2012 holiday season.
Source: CNET – The ClamBook: A laptop powered by your smartphone
This looks like something that could actually come in handy. Wonder what they will be selling for.
If the cost is low I could see it being kind of useful. For people who dont use a laptop very often this could probably replace the need for one. But it all comes down to the price. If it costs anymore than like $150 then I would say its not going to be very viable considering the phones cost about $100 and you aren’t actually paying for anything but a nice screen and a keyboard attachment.