Concept METATREND SmartBook pairs tablet with keyboard/phone

Posted by | 03/11/2010 | 2 Comments

The name is a lawsuit waiting to happen, but the concept is brilliant, and I’m not just saying that because I’ve been thinking the same thing. Behold the SmartBook, a concept phone + tablet combo by METATREND that pairs a slate tablet with a phone handset that folds out into a QWERTY keyboard.

Before you pull out your checkbooks, this is just a concept and METATREND isn’t even a manufacturer. Still, I think it’s a concept worth pursuing. The idea is the slate has a kickstand for working at surface and magnetic docking point where the handset can attach when it’s unfolded into a keyboard. Takes my idea of using a phone to control and sync with a tablet to an even closer relationship with the phone unit acting entirely as an input device for the tablet, even acting like a Bluetooth handset with calls going through the tablet’s wireless connection.

Check out METATREND for their full vision. Via Yanko Design and Gizmodo.

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Category: Mobile

About the Author (Author Profile)

My name is Mark Sumimoto; I am Sumocat. I dabble in all areas of mobile computing, but my focus is Windows-based Tablet PCs and pen input. They’ve been part of my arsenal since 2004, and I’m proud to have pioneered the field of ink blogging, earning a spot as a Microsoft MVP for Touch and Tablets in the process. My current tools include a Fujitsu Lifebook T900, TEGA v2, and iPhone 4. Email me: sumocat [at] notebooks.com
  • JM

    I also like this idea, but I have one problem with the wireless connection for calls going through the tablet…what if you don’t feel like carrying hte tablet with you? Does that mean you can’t make calls? Great idea, htey would have to work out the kinks. So far this concept and the BYD “Snaptop” prototypes have the most appeal to me. I hope one of them becomes a reality (with a real OS).

  • http://www.islate.org Megatrend

    A kick stand with a keyboard is necessary for tablets if they want to compete with laptops because a physical keyboard is the fastest input device.

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