In a new Indigogo campaign, Bay Area startup NexDock promises a $119 laptop dock for your Continuum-capable device running Windows 10. Instead of asking users to extend a Lumia 950 to a large display and keyboard, the company wants to usher in a new era of portability with its new dock for smartphones, tablets and mini PCs.
Packing a 14 inch 1366 x 768 TN display, a 10,000 mAh lithium battery and a Bluetooth keyboard, the NexDock weighs in at a not-so-light 3.28 pounds, or 1490 grams. Ports include mini HDMI, 2 USB ports, a TF card slot and a 3.5mm headphone jack. There's also an integrated touchpad.
Connecting a device running Windows 10 Mobile with Continuum isn’t the only option; tablets running Windows 8 or 10 capable of driving an external display would appear to work. And since the NexDock is simply a display and keyboard, users can also connect a laptop to the mini HDMI input, thereby extending laptop’s screen. A Raspberry Pi or mini PC stick can be connected in the same manner.
In addition, there’s support for Android devices and iPhones, though the scenarios would presumably be limited to whichever applications and operating system versions will expand to a usable full screen orientation. The video shows games and video consumption as the only demonstrated use cases for iOS and Android on a phone.
In addition to the laptop dock, the Indigogo page has a vision for the future of docks. While the currently-offered NexDock doesn’t include USB type-C, future renders depict smartphones and a Raspberry Pi hitching to the back of the display lid via USB.
The company claims to have contracted with an ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) in China. After the minimum order is met, the docks will presumably enter production. Close to selling out, there are only 250 slots at the $79 “early bird” price point, but there's $99 "not too late" price point with 750 slots. The final price with Indigogo will be $119, with an expected retail price of $149 after the campaign concludes.
Source: Indigogo via Windows Central
34 Comments - Add comment