• By John Herrman
    Jan 30, 2009 7:21 AM 1,955
    read more: #patents, #microsoftsmartphonedock, #docks, #cradles, #smartphones, #redfly, #folio, #palmfolio, #windowsmobile, #winmo, #smartphonedocks, #streaming, #smartphoneperipherals, #expansiondocks

    Microsoft Patents Shows Smartphone Cradle for Media Streaming, Peripherals

    The Register stumbled across a patent for the "Smart Interface System for Mobile Communication Devices", a smartphone extension dock that lets you easily plop your phone onto your home network and connect peripherals.

    The dock contains a processor and storage of its own to run its OS, but its main function is to expand your smartphone. Think of it as a brawny RedFly, but without a screen or peripherals built in. Here's the predicted use: you connect a keyboard, mouse, monitor and printer to the dock as

    The prospect of easy printing, streaming and file sharing between your phone and your other hardware has inherent appeal, so I won't pass judgment until the product actually starts to take shape. Assuming it ever does, that is. [Register]


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