#SaveTheOtherHalf: TOH development deserves a quantum leap [not relevant]

asked 2015-10-23 12:05:46 +0200

launchpad
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updated 2016-10-15 01:33:58 +0200

"The other Half" concept - despite it's distinction & potentials has never been implemented much beyond colorful plastic caps ( TOHKBD as a noteable exemption ) even though the concept bears a highly underestimated potential if further developed into a next generation / long-term evolution TOH system concept which could become implemented across many devices offspringing from future cooperations & licensings.

The revision of the concept should be :

• Offering sufficient expansion space to other-half-circuitry so other halves only add a minimum of necessary bulk to thickness. About the footprint of the current battery dimensions could suffice to offer comfortable room ( maybe up to 2.5mm in height ? ) for expansions modules e.g. TOHKBD could only use a tiny headspace by the micro-SD slot to stow its entire circuitry components (!)

• Introducing high-speed I/O-bandwidths to TOH-modules comparable to miniaturized bus-standards such as Mini-PCIe / M2. Not to mention it has to be implemented to support hot-swaps. This will allow connection of hardware such as additional processing units, mass storage, A/D converters or higher resolution cameras. Maybe the "Aistin Bus 24" can become a candidate.

• Introducing a more resilient, "pro-grade" swap & mount system ( clip, rail or snap-in tbd ) supporting high interchange-rates without incurring structural damage to TOH-mounts & modules.

• Offering improved built-quality by wider promotion of TOH-standards to potential suppliers. Home-made / crowd-funded approaches are sexy, exiting & open up opportunities, but cannot always offer solid / reliable quality of make & S/W support.e.g. some TOHKBD-keys do not work constantly reliable - what can become frustrating over time

• TOH-standards could be promoted across Android / Blackberry / Winphone eco-systems to increase a critical user base for other halves. Jolla could lead such an initiative such as Ericsson once did with Bluetooth.

• Next generation TOH-standards should become protected and volume-licensable i.e. even if no fees would be charged right from the beginning.

• Motivating, inciting & challenging creative people to come up with further ideas & projects offering real awards such as funding, consultancy or contacts to networks.

• Concurrent, community-based pre-release alpha/beta-testing. Alpha-testing could occur on a non-disclosure-basis by hand-picked developers & test-drivers.

Some more ideas ( the forum is actually full of ) what TOH expansions could offer / do:

• enhanced camera modules / mateable camera bodies ( cf. Huawei "ShotX" or "Light L16" for inspiration )
• ( self-encrypting ) NAS-OTG SSD storage module ( allowing to directly dump picture files via WiFi from external cameras. It may also include a fingerprint reader on the rear for security reasons )
• satellite phone module ( e.g. at competitive pricing )
• entertainment devices such as glass-membrane speakers, video projectors or gamepads
• educational XO-TOH ( e.g. by cooperating with OLPC )
• pro-tools: network-admin "swiss-army-knife" analyzers, laser measuring modules, RF scanners, multimeter-modules, etc.
• medical modules such as blood analysis sensors or mobile microscopes
• scientific field modules such as micro-/macroscopes or spectrometers
• portable amateur or maritime VHF/UHF radio modules
• aftermarket vehicle entertainment docks ( see French maker Parrot for some ideas )
• RC / control devices with TOH-compatible docks ( e.g. RC model controllers with optimized RX/TX )
• portable chess / game TOH ( e.g. by cooperations with companies such as Dutch DGT or HK-based Saitek )
• astronaut wrist dock ( just to check if so reads that far .... ;) )
• TOH development kits ( docks / boards / modules ) in jolla store
• TOH capable tablet devices - i.e. future ( jolla-made ? ) tablets accepting TOH-modules as well ( which not necessarily need to cover the entire rear side, but integrate smoothly by design )

Current approaches include :

• Lenovo — the current "bull's eye" approach
see below

• LG
see below

• Microsoft
see below

• Intel
"Intel will also be offering various lids that can be purchased for the NUC 2.0 models. They had a prototype Hauppauge TV tuner on one model and then another with a removeable lid that had built-in NFC. Intel is working with a number of companies to come up with innovative removable lids as that is one of the new features of the Broadwell based NUC’s." http://www.legitreviews.com/intel-nuc-2-0-officially-announced-at-ces-2015_156894

Interesting community examples include :

• TOHIRI by @kimmoli :
  http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1453553&postcount=51
  http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p=1438248&postcount=34
  
  

Personal note, Feb. 22nd 2016:
realizing an undeniable moderate pace of jolla's recovery as a company as such and it's unspectacular ( but important ) presence @MWC2016, I must admit I somehow doubt right now that jolla will consider TOH concept of future relevance. I'll be leaving this thread open as such for reference. It feels a bit weird right now to think about TOHs unless @jolla would be giving reason. Feel free to contribute anyway. Greetings, launchpad