I've just read a (Dutch) news article (http://tweakers.net/nieuws/58158/microsoft-wil-brug-tussen-smartphone-en-pc- patenteren.html) which describes a new patent microsoft filed. In the article is a link to an English description of the patent. (http://v3.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/description?CC=WO&NR=2009012344A2&KC=A2&FT=D&date=20090122&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_US)
The patent describes a dock for a smartphone, which connects to external devices such as a keyboard, mouse, screen,... wired or wireless. Now I think Openmoko already does a lot of these things, and other things have already been thought of. We can already hook up wired and wireless devices (such as mice and keyboards) to the Freerunner. I'm almost sure someone suggested hooking up an external screen to it. That's technically not possible, but it's been thought of. Integrating the wired connection between FR and the external devices has also been thought of earlier in this list. I'm not a lawyer, but since the patent was published on the 22th of January, I think for some parts of this patent, there is some sort of "prior art" involved. Also it wouldn't surprise me if Microsoft and Apple are eavesdropping on this list. (Note to Microsoft and Apple: Please don't steal our idea's. If you do: Please die a slow and painfull death.) mvg, depeje
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