I'm thinking about investing in a high end phone to replace my next cell phone and computer. It may sound crazy, but I want to know if it is possible to do. Here's how I imagine it working in a desktop situation:

-HDMI out of phone to LCD monitor.
-Bluetooth keyboard to connect to phone.
-Using Android GUI for browsing/checking email/facebook OR using remote desktop to connect to a PC.

The only thing I haven't figured out is the mouse. If you used the Android GUI, you could still treat the screen as a touch pad device. If you use remote desktop, I'm not sure how it would work. I dont know if Android can handle inputs from a keyboard and mouse simultaneously. More over, there would probably be driver issues. I don't know if this could work while doing remote desktop (http://lifehacker.com/5602571/remotedroid-turns-your-android-phone-into-a-wireless-mouse-and-keyboard).

Whaddya think?

1/21/2011 4:19:13 PM

atrix 4G if you have AT&T

1/21/2011 4:20:46 PM

Dont have, nor would I want AT&T. Especially when Verizon is rolling out 4G LTE (upto 17 Mbps).

1/21/2011 4:22:23 PM

^ATT's rolling out 4G HSPA+, the Atrix is capable of 14.4Mbps. (real world speeds will be every bit as fast as early LTE)

The atrix fits what you want to the teet without modification.

1/21/2011 4:26:27 PM

Wow the atrix is pretty neat. Are there any other phones that are launching with the same capabilities?

1/21/2011 4:33:10 PM

Not sure if the Bionic for Verizon will have it or not. Has half the memory of the Atrix and no Finger Print scanner but has a bigger screen (4.3" v 4.0"). Nothing has been mentioned about it the dock capabilities though.

1/21/2011 4:37:32 PM

I've seen moto been asked it a few times and basically dodge the question (saying things like "we have nothing to release about that at this time")

the phones are probably similar enough that with some hax0rs someone will get it running on the bionic, but I'm not sure if less memory will mean terrible performance on whatever hax0rs get figured out.

But anyway, as of right now the Atrix's dockign capabilities are completely unique.

1/21/2011 4:43:44 PM

It looks like the Atrix is a game changer. I wouldn't be surprised if this caught on and doomed netbooks and ultimately the entire laptop industry.

1/21/2011 4:49:30 PM

^

I agree. I think there will always be horsepower options for those in need; i.e., gaming, photoshop, matlab, solidworks, etc. But, for lots of people, having your computer be your phone, where you can dock it at home, a library, or in a lab would be very attractive. I wanted something like that before i got my Droid 2, but I figured it would be a ways away and didn't want to wait around for it.

1/21/2011 5:35:16 PM

whats the advantage over a netbook though? price? you can buy a netbook for under $200, how much less will that dock cost?

1/21/2011 5:53:17 PM

no prices on any of the docks have been announced.

1/21/2011 6:04:46 PM

I think it replaces netbooks because is essentially an all-in-one device. It has the same functionality of a netbook but you don't have to transfer files from one to another. The interface is also aesthetically pleasing (very thin). Plus it boots up instantly! Who wouldn't want that.

Plus, they have a docking station where you can connect a monitor, keyboard and mouse. The docking station can't be too much (~$50 max). Add in a $150 22" LCD and a keyboard mouse combo and you have a desktop replacement for somewhere in the neighborhood of $600-800 (Assuming phone is $400-$600 w/ 2 year service plan).

If anything, this would justify raising the price of phones because they serve as two devices. You could get rid of your home computer AND broadband and replace it with a single device and internet connection.

[Edited on January 21, 2011 at 6:41 PM. Reason : .]

[Edited on January 21, 2011 at 6:42 PM. Reason : ..]

1/21/2011 6:30:25 PM

^phone will likely be 200 with a 2 year plan, ~500-600 without

1/21/2011 6:43:02 PM

I have a hard time believing it will only be $200.

1/21/2011 7:00:42 PM

Quote :

"I think it replaces netbooks because is essentially an all-in-one device. It has the same functionality of a netbook but you don't have to transfer files from one to another."

but it doesn't have the same functionality unless you are ok with the sacrifices you make for remote desktop

wait, now you are saying get rid of your home computer too. what would you remote desktop into if this was your only device?

i think my confusion is how a device with minimal office support can be a replacement. excel and word are two of the top used programs on my device.

[Edited on January 21, 2011 at 7:53 PM. Reason : i'm confused]

1/21/2011 7:41:16 PM

google docs?

1/21/2011 7:59:56 PM

i guess that works for some people, i wouldn't consider it comparable to office though

1/21/2011 8:10:51 PM

Quote :

"I have a hard time believing it will only be $200. "

Why? Almost every "top of the line" phone that has been released on ATT has been 199.99 with 2 year contract since... at least 7-8 years ago when i got my first phone. The exceptions being the Dell Streak, which you can't buy directly from ATT, and the largest storage size of iPhone, which generally has costed 100 more. It's a magic price point that meets exactly where the average consumer is willing to buy compared to the most money they think they can make off it.

1/21/2011 8:49:57 PM

Quickoffice would work on it. I'm not sure how many features it has though.

I don't think it will be $200 because of how many new features will be on it. Dual cores and a high res screen aren't cheap.

1/22/2011 11:17:56 AM

^High res screen didn't stop the iP4 from launching at 200 bucks. S-AMOLED screen and the latest processor didn't stop the captivate from launching at 200 bucks. The first phone with a tilting touchscreen or whatever didn't stop the tilt from launching at 200 bucks. Even the damn backflip launched at 200 bucks. there's a 99% chance that with contract it launches at 200 bucks (or 199.99)

1/22/2011 1:56:50 PM

you won't get the dock with the phone for $200 of course, but that's obvious

1/22/2011 2:49:34 PM

^ya

1/22/2011 2:50:12 PM

Well the Atria has been priced at $200 or $500 bundled with the dock.

Knowing that, do you all still think its a possible replacement for a less expensive netbook that has a full OS?

2/3/2011 4:21:58 PM

you really bttt'd this for that?

yes at&t screwed up the pricing pretty bad. yes at&t is stupid for doing it. there's a thread for that discussion.

oh wait, you're talking about some thing called an atria, what's that?

2/3/2011 4:54:44 PM

yes, i bttt'd a thread called "Laptop replacement w/ smartphone" for just released pricing on a smartphone that is being pitched as a laptop replacement. i realize there is a thread for smartphones that are replacements for laptops because i posted in it.

2/3/2011 5:08:42 PM

where can I buy this "Atria" you speak of

2/4/2011 12:49:28 AM

they didn't screw up the pricing. specialty products like this are insanely expensive to build (compared to a single integrated device).

shit like this will never take off for the simple price reason. The price premium you pay for a multi-form factor experience is almost equivalent to carrying two independent form factors.

And given the increasing use of cloud storage and content distribution, the advantages of multi-form factor experiences don't really have any advantage any more.

The Atrix idea is not new. It's been attempted several times over the past decade and they have all done horribly in the market, if they ever even made it to market.

2/4/2011 3:57:48 AM

Quote :

"And given the increasing use of cloud storage and content distribution, the advantages of multi-form factor experiences don't really have any advantage any more"

I wouldnt go as far as saying THAT. There are plenty of instances where people would rather have their data locally and portable. And of course cloud storage is only as good as your connection.

I agree the atrix idea is not new, but this appears to be a nice execution of it. It wont replace everyone's desktop workstations for obvious reasons, but with addition of word and excel this could potentially be a general use laptop/netbook replacement for many people.

Hell, if i was Motorola, I would make even more dock options available for multiple form factors, i.e. tablet dock.

2/4/2011 9:15:52 AM

Quote :

"I wouldnt go as far as saying THAT. There are plenty of instances where people would rather have their data locally and portable. And of course cloud storage is only as good as your connection."

If we're talking about using a smartphone as a laptop replacement, the issue of connection is completely moot.

2/4/2011 9:34:31 AM

Think the silly part is that you have to add the tethering feature to be able to use the full firefox browser on the laptop dock.

Quote :

"3. Laptop Dock - Firefox browser use with AT&T Mobile Broadband requires Tethering Plan."

2/4/2011 9:36:12 AM

Quote :

"If we're talking about using a smartphone as a laptop replacement, the issue of connection is completely moot. "

I though we were comparing using remote desktop/cloud storage vs having your local machine in your pocket. First relies on continous internet connection to access all your files and being able to use it in general, second one give you an ability to function even if the connection is slow or non-existant. And of course the second one uses much less bandwith for performing the same actions, so if you have a capped data plan, that may be a deciding factor.

^that does kind of suck. what if you were planning to use the dock at home/coffeshop with wifi only?

2/4/2011 9:52:03 AM

I'm guessing since it says "use with AT&T Mobile Broadband" that you won't need the tethering add-on if you're using wifi.

2/4/2011 9:56:32 AM

Then fair enough. But yeah the $500 unsubsidized price for just the laptop dock is pretty outrageous, considering that this money buys you a full blown laptop these days. That price premium is unjustified, since it is an accessory made with mostly off-the-shelf components. I am sure it will go down in price once all the hype has settled down.

2/4/2011 10:26:05 AM

come november when i'm out of my verizon contract and they terminate my alltel plan (assuming i sign up for a new contract with a new phone), i'll have no reason to stick with verizon (you know, other than the fact that their network is far superior to AT&T's) and i'll be interested in a smartphone at that point

i'd love something like the atrix, if only AT&T didn't rape you repeatedly in the ass with their bullshit charges

i suppose sprint will be my only option, then

2/4/2011 2:33:35 PM

Quote :

"Then fair enough. But yeah the $500 unsubsidized price for just the laptop dock is pretty outrageous, considering that this money buys you a full blown laptop these days. That price premium is unjustified, since it is an accessory made with mostly off-the-shelf components. I am sure it will go down in price once all the hype has settled down."

It's not going to get significantly cheaper. The thing isn't 500 bucks just to price gouge people. It's 500 bucks because it's a low volume, niche product with a ton of complexity.

And this is the problem. It COSTS nearly as much to manufacture a device + dock as it does to just manufacture 2 devices. Because electronics cost is so closely tied to economy of scale, rather than actual unit production cost.

2/4/2011 9:45:38 PM

the laptop dock is 2-3 times more expensive than it should be. the required tethering is stupid. i'm still getting the phone, but i don't think i'll get the dock unless i can find in a few months later on the cheap.

2/5/2011 12:59:56 AM

Quote :

" It's 500 bucks because it's a low volume, niche product with a ton of complexity"

it's a fucking LCD screen with a keyboard attached and a few chips, how is there a ton of complexity in it? Sure, there is some R&D involved into the GUI and the chipset, but for the most part this uses same components a lapop, in fact it only uses half of them. This is either flat out price gouging or a case of Motorola looking to recoup their R&D costs associated with the phone itself ASAP, which may not be the best decision long term.

Of course it will stay a low volume, niche product at that kind of markup. Unless it becomes a game changer a-la iphone and the competitors will start biting motorola's ankles, at which point the price will drop like it usually does in a competitive environment.


[Edited on February 5, 2011 at 12:47 PM. Reason : .]

2/5/2011 12:44:04 PM

Guess they decided that selling 50 @ $300 (bundled) or $500 by itself is better than selling a lot more at $150. Everyone seemed content with that price tag but paying more for the laptop dock than the phone is silly especially when there are no guts in the dock and it can't be used by itself. There are also rumors of samsung having something similar that may be revealed at MWC in a couple weeks but unless you live outside the US, you better be satisfied with the OS it ships with.

2/5/2011 3:09:13 PM

^ like I said it's not about complexity, it's about volume. This is the common mistake people make.

This is why oems presell laptops that have delivery dates months away. And why they have crazy sales that are seemingly below cost. Economy of scale has a huge impact on cost.

If motorola ordered 10 million docks they would probably cost half as much. I'm guessing they actually have an order of 3-400,000. Which means the cost of tooling per unit is tremendously higher, yields are lower and the factory configuration is temporary. All of this drives up the price significantly

2/5/2011 3:32:30 PM

I'd stay away from the Atrix anyway. From the videos I saw, its performance was awful. Certainly not hardy enough to replace anything I'd use for daily computing.

2/6/2011 9:23:33 AM

Looks like someone stole my idea

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1038840

4/19/2011 7:35:49 PM