Android mobile dockable computer

Now this is cool: http://www.ubuntu.com/devices/android

An Android phone that can dock to computer peripherals and a monitor, and can be used as an Ubuntu computer. This is one of those ideas that seem overwhelmingly obvious once you know about them, which is usually a sign that it is a very good idea.

A couple of potential issues spring to mind:

• handling incoming/outgoing calls when the phone is docked;
• using it as a phone whilst wanting to look on your computer (e.g. looking something up, talking through what you're doing on the computer);
• while it looks like a lot of ground has been covered it isn't a seamless switch of the same stuff using different input and output devices, and;
• probably little to no support for using multiple desktop monitors (yet).

Bluetooth headsets will go some way to alleviating these problems (but bring their own issues). What I want to see? Wireless connections to the peripherals and displays.

I've got a prediction going that traditional desktop computers will become a rarity outside of geek enclaves by 2015. Well, for new purchases that is, I'm sure many a 'puter will hang on for many years. A typical person has little need for a 'proper' computer, and tinkering around with your hardware will decline much in the way it has for tinkering with car engines. It won't be needed so much, it'll get harder to actually do, the required skills may become more specialised, and there will be new and more interesting things to play with.

Tablets, smartphones, smart TVs/appliances, and game consoles are eating eroding the need for a traditional computer. This is an evolutionary step for smartphones that has the attractive feature of making use of integrating with the existing computer infrastructure and devices. It represents a move towards ubiquitous personal devices that will interact with our environment, rather than having devices for different environments.

I'm not so much looking forward to having smartphones that wirelessly integrate with my computer peripherals and TV, so much as I'm looking forward to a unified, deep and personalised and consistent interaction experience with the environment. I want my stuff, my information, my entertainments everywhere. The more I can walk out of the house and feel the only thing I'm leaving behind is a comfortable place to sleep the better. Well, metaphorically speaking anyway; I'd rather be in a comfy chair reading.

In the short term.. this is a good development. Hurry up Apple and give me something similar. Canonical is knocking at the gate of your walled garden waving candy at me, and I want some of that candy.