Motorola has long been pushing their Webtop-enabled phones, allowing folks to use their phones as a pseudo-desktop or laptop, complete with keyboard, trackpad, and monitor. YouTube user Christian Qantrell decided to see if he could replicate something similar using only his unrooted Galaxy Nexus, Apple keyboard and trackpad, and computer monitor.
His goal was to do this using only standard equipment with no hacking. Connecting his phone to the monitor using an MHL adapter, and using his Bluetooth connected keyboard and trackpad, he manages a surprisingly smooth experience. Having a large trackpad helps replicate finger swipes and gestures, allowing for a more natural feel. Other surprise features that just work are Alt-Tab bringing up Android's native task switcher, and the Esc key acting as a back button. Check out his video after the break.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_–zcmqIyRI
The Galaxy Nexus continues running smoothly, even while mirroring its 720p display on the monitor and phone. The browser displaying mobile sites by default is not quite as optimal, but that can easily be worked around by downloading alternate browsers or requesting the full site from the stock browser.
It's great to see all these standards working together so well. Bluetooth and MHL coupled with the right peripheral hardware is a powerful combination for superphones like the Galaxy Nexus. This also makes me think it would not be difficult for a 3rd party manufacturer to create more generic “lapdocks” like Motorola's that work with any modern Android smartphone.
source: androidcommunity
Search up Android by Canonical…. i was very impressed…. absolutely excited about it!
Look at the clambook it’s like the laptop dock but for some android and iphones
I hope google takes note of this and releases something similar to asus’s padfone for the g nexus. Adding battery and a larger display with a keyboard dock=sick. Especially if one could obtain it at a $100-250 price point or less i mean it would essentialy be a shell until the phones inserted.
reminds me of PocketPCs that had VGA output.
Fantastic but the idea of having my phone/portable and desktop lost or stolen in one fell swoop makes me very worried :( But love it :)
like it. I figured it could be done. I just hadn’t tried or seen it.
I’ve been doing it with my galaxy S2 and it is by far the best thing ever
And we should have been doing this from the beginning so all bugs are worked out…
I am doing the same thing with my galaxy nexus, right from when i got it back in december… This is old news…
for you maybe.