At Computex 2011 in Taiwan this week, Asus unveiled its Padfone – a new smartphone that can be placed into the back of a magic dock transforming it into a tablet. But before you stick your iPhone 4 on eBay and start waiting for one of these things, check out this dock from ECS which does exactly the same thing with your iPhone.
It’s currently just a prototype, but it allows you to turn your smartphone into a tablet – simply by sliding it into the back of the device. It works with a variety of Android and Windows 7 smartphones in addition to those powered by iOS, but was demonstrated at Computex using an iPhone 4.
It works by taking your iPhone’s video output via a HDMI connection and relaying to the 9.7-inch display at the front. It also boasts an SD card slot, two USB ports and a front-facing camera.
It’s currently unclear how the iPhone picks up your interactions through the iPad-like display at the front while the device is hidden away inside the dock, however, ECS promises it works and that it will also be compatible with the iPhone 5 when that launches using some “simple upgrades.”
The device has been created by ECS and its partner ICE Computer, and is yet to be given a name, but will hit the market during the fourth quarter at around $200.
Essentially this is just an expensive way of magnifying your iPhone’s display, and I’m not sure I’m too keen on the idea. What do you think? Would you buy one?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsBqjHA3IiY&feature=player_embedded#at=231
[via 9to5Mac]
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
25 responses to “This ECS Dock Will Transform Your iPhone Into a Tablet”
I don’t know that I would buy one for myself. However, it might be great for my kids. Each time I upgrade my iPhone, I have a new device to sell on Craigslist. Imagine if I could just pop it into this device and presto, my kids have an iPad. They won’t care that it’s slower than dad’s iPad. They will play games on it just the same. It might also work for people like my mother who, until we bought her one for her birthday, would never have bought an iPad on her own. But, if she could see it on a larger screen, she might use her iPhone more often at home. This will have a market, but perhaps not with technophiles themselves, but rather the people they support.
sorry ECS, but…
I save 399$ more and buy the iPad …
i like the idea of modules, but i can’t see that being useful with a phone
The way I see it, this is cheaper than buying an iPad. If it worked well, why not consider it an alternative to having an iPhone and an iPad?
Well, let’s hold off before jumping on this bandwagon, I’m sure Apple isn’t gonna be happy with these guys chopping into their iPad profits. I’m curious to see if the legal team does a C & D on these guys.
im pretty sure that iphone is made of cardboard
If it actually kept all of its promises, then yes, that would be great. However, I’m fairly certain it will be disappointing in some crucial way.
they are trying to jump the boat and release a ipad/iphone integration before apple do it themselves
http://www.facebook.com/eliteg…
follow ecs to get update, the price is under $199 suppose!
it would only be useful, If and is under $250 range.
if
1. charges phone battery and or have its own battery
2. touch screen must be awesome
and a app how moto atrix become laptop.. a app that utilize the hard ware and data on the phone and make it a Tablet/PAd experience.
It deff has potential if equipped with the right functionality
i don’t think apple has the right to do so coz it work will other phone.. they are not just targeting iphone… i think this is just a universal phone accessories… but i wont buy them unless it has touch screen and responsive just like iDevices…
Show the damn thing with the power on.