wraggster
May 4th, 2013, 13:07
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/05/casetop-05-03-13-01-1367589219_620x340.jpgIn Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip (http://www.engadget.com/about/tips/) with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.
We keep hearing (http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/10/idc-pc-shipments-in-q1-faced-their-steepest-drop-known-to-date/) about how handheld devices are replacing laptops, so how about doing it literally? Casetop just launched a laptop-style dock on Kickstarter that you can plug your smartphone into, turning it into the processor, graphics engine and trackpad of a "laptop." In return, the dock will give you an 11.1-inch 720p display, full-sized keyboard, stereo speakers, HDMI input, MHL video input, dual-mode MicroUSB, audio output and "always-powered" USB for charging other devices. Unlike similar offerings such as the still-unshipped Clambook (http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/06/clamcases-clambook-gives-android-phones-and-iphones-a-laptop-dock/) (or Motorola's ill-fated (http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/07/motorola-phases-out-webtop-points-to-a-lapdock-shy-world/) Lapdock (http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/04/whaaa-the-original-motorola-lapdock-can-now-be-yours-for-50/)) the Casebook uses the handset as a trackpad, and the creators say that it won't be device-specific (http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/07/motorola-phases-out-webtop-points-to-a-lapdock-shy-world/), working instead with a large number of smartphones from Apple, Blackberry, Samsung and others. Of course, it needs to meet the lofty $300,000 funding goal for all that to happen, but if you're optimistic, hit the source to plop down your $250 minimum pledge.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/03/insert-coin-casetop-smartphone-laptop-dock/
We keep hearing (http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/10/idc-pc-shipments-in-q1-faced-their-steepest-drop-known-to-date/) about how handheld devices are replacing laptops, so how about doing it literally? Casetop just launched a laptop-style dock on Kickstarter that you can plug your smartphone into, turning it into the processor, graphics engine and trackpad of a "laptop." In return, the dock will give you an 11.1-inch 720p display, full-sized keyboard, stereo speakers, HDMI input, MHL video input, dual-mode MicroUSB, audio output and "always-powered" USB for charging other devices. Unlike similar offerings such as the still-unshipped Clambook (http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/06/clamcases-clambook-gives-android-phones-and-iphones-a-laptop-dock/) (or Motorola's ill-fated (http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/07/motorola-phases-out-webtop-points-to-a-lapdock-shy-world/) Lapdock (http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/04/whaaa-the-original-motorola-lapdock-can-now-be-yours-for-50/)) the Casebook uses the handset as a trackpad, and the creators say that it won't be device-specific (http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/07/motorola-phases-out-webtop-points-to-a-lapdock-shy-world/), working instead with a large number of smartphones from Apple, Blackberry, Samsung and others. Of course, it needs to meet the lofty $300,000 funding goal for all that to happen, but if you're optimistic, hit the source to plop down your $250 minimum pledge.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/05/03/insert-coin-casetop-smartphone-laptop-dock/