These portable ideas are different from what the OP was suggesting, which was that there would be docking devices around cities and schools, which you could use to access your iPhone.
@kdarling:
you're right...that's what this model is all about. it's a portable device when you need it to be and it's a desktop computer when you need it to be. miniaturization will only go so far before versatility like this becomes the big "prize" in computer hardware, imo.
People with $300 to blow on a small monitor that does nothing without an iPhone.
[...]
There is no way that would cost only $300 (try doubling that)
Currently, monitors don't do anything without a computer hooked up to it. The idea is to get relatively inexpensive iPhone workstations "out there," so people can flip their iPhones into Desktop Mode whenever they want. The article also mentions a clamshell laptop version of the working station -- that would again do nothing without an iPhone inserted.
in this model, the iPhone IS the computer. you're probably right about the real retail price of something like this being $500+. but I think that's a minor point.
how is this at all practical? who would use it, and why? where?
how is this at all practical? people are already using the iPhones to replace PCs to a certain extent -- maybe 10, 20% or more of their "computer time" is being spent on an iPhone. Browsing, web apps, email, youtube, etc. for a lot of people, an iPhone computer would be plenty.
theoretically, it would be able to run iWork and iLife apps. if something like this existed, a lot of people wouldn't need another computer at all.
who would use it, and why? where? i would use it anytime I didn't want to do hardcore gaming or photoshop. so, on a business trip, if my hotel room had an iPhone Desktop in the room -- i wouldn't have to worry about packing a laptop. the iPhone in my pocket would be all i needed. but, that's just me.
businesses could use them to attract customer: "iPhone Workstations inside"
schools could spend less on full-blown computers by providing iPhone Desktops to their students with iPhones.
even more broadly, anyone with an iPhone could use one, because it would be convenient, anywhere.
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think of it this way: let's say apple could shrink down the same performance of MacBook Pro down to the size of iPhone. how would people use it? wouldn't people want it to be small and in their pockets sometimes? and bigger sometimes depending on what they wanted to do at the moment?
