The consumer electronics market is saturated with thousands of different devices providing unsurpassed levels of processing power and multitask functionality. While nearly all multimedia devices are able to carry out a range of tasks, each product has its key strengths. For the most part, laptops are used for fast word processing, tablets are best suited for commuter entertainment while smartphones facilitate a cavalcade of communication possibilities. So what if a device could perform all these functions? Various manufacturers will argue that their current product portfolio can already deal with a whole host of various processes, however reliance on touchscreen devices with adaptable user interfaces is fairly limited. Now, one of Korea's leading telecommunications companies believes they have come up with an ingenious solution.
At the 2011 IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin, KT, formerly Korean Telecom, revealed the Spider Phone, an adaptable smartphone which can be connected to a number of different devices. To look at, the handset seems fairly ordinary, however it can be connected to a laptop, tablet or even a handheld gaming console. These individual components do not work on their own as they are not loaded with a CPU, operating system or memory, instead all the functioning power comes from the Spider Phone. KT hopes that this will solve several problems faced by consumers, including the high cost of buying multiple products. Another advantage is that if the user is familiar with the smartphone’s operating system and user interface (UI), they will find the laptop or tablet transition much easier. Files and data shared between devices will also be displayed in the same way, eliminating corrupt files or unreadable extensions.
KT is actively encouraging other manufacturers to develop their own hardware for use with the Spider Phone. In what it calls a device ecosystem, KT believes it can create an environment where various manufacturers can come together to develop further hardware and software for use in other areas.
In terms of the device's specifications, Spider Phone runs Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread OS with a customised UI. Its 1.5 GHz Dual-Core high performance CPU supplied by Qualcomm provides more than adequate processing power. The phone also features a 4.5-inch 1280x800 resolution screen, two cameras (8-megapixel rear and 3-megapixel front), in addition to a large capacity 1710mAh battery and 16GB internal memory. The tablet extension features a 10.1 inch screen and is made for document editing, email and file management. The laptop has a fully functional keyboard and mouse and is optimised for the office environment using virtual desktop Cirtrix. Finally, the handheld gaming console features a D-pad and keys similar to Sony's PSP device.
KT has clearly been thinking outside of the box with this one. It has recognised the advantages and disadvantages of each individual product and played to their respective strengths. However, problems still remain with the Spider Phone. If you are to lose the device, then every other accessory is obsolete. Even though the functioning power is contained within one simple smartphone, you still need to carry around the bulky peripherals whenever you require them. It also seems fairly inconceivable that every single MP3, video file, picture, or document an individual has will fit onto a mobile handset without its performance being severely compromised. While the Spider Phone may solve some individual consumer predicaments, it seems almost certain that laptops, tablets and handheld gaming devices will remain increasingly popular as separate entities.
