Over the years, we have seen multiple crowdfunding projects come up with ways for us to be able to use our phones more productively. There is the $99 SuperBook that allowed you to connect your Android phone to what we can call a laptop shell and use it as a laptop. It raised $2.6 million during its crowdfunding in 2016.

In the same year, there was also a similar device called the NexDock but with a $149 price tag and included support for phones with Windows 10 Continuum. Way before the SuperBook and NexDock, Motorola launched the Lapdock 100 which worked with some of its Android phones. This year, another manufacturer is giving it a go again and their product is called the PhoneBook.

The PhoneBook is also a laptop shell with a 15.6-inch touchscreen Full HD display and a full-sized keyboard and trackpad. All you have to do is plug in “ANY” phone to it and you have a working laptop.  Anyware, the makers of PhoneBook, say your phone is the CPU and every time you get a new phone, it is like you have a new computer. It also uses your phone’s storage to save the work you do on it.

With the PhoneBook, you are not only able to run the apps on your phone on a larger screen, but you can also run Windows Cloud PC apps. For entertainment, the PhoneBook has stereo speakers, so you can enjoy your movies with better audio than what your phone’s speaker pumps out. The PhoneBook is also touted as the first device that allows you to use the keyboard and mouse to play mobile games, a feature said to be unavailable on Samsung’s DeX.

The PhoneBook has an 8-hour battery life and charges your phone when connected to it. The PhoneBook as 2 x USB ports, an HDMI input port, a USB-C video input port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It also has a reset button. It has a 12V/2A power adapter which is a bit disappointing as USB-C charging would have been better.

The PhoneBook will work with all Android phones except those powered by a MediaTek processor which means a large percentage of phones are excluded. It will also work with iPhones.

The device is available on Kickstarter for crowdfunding starting at $169 for backers. When it launches, it will sell for $249.

UP NEXT: Poll of The Week: Do you own and still use a tablet?

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The Razer Phone is one of the top phones of 2017 even with its release in the final quarter of the year. At CES 2018, Razer has showcased a familiar technology that transforms your Razer Phone into a full laptop.

Called Project Linda, the technology is actually a laptop shell that becomes a full laptop once you dock your Razer Phone into the provided slot.

We have seen multiple versions of this technology in the last couple of years. There is the more recent Mirabook by Miraxess demoed last year, but still hasn’t gone on sale. There is also the much older Motorola DROID BIONIC Lapdock and Atrix Lapdock.

What these have in common is that they are laptop shells that allow you to connect your android phone for a PC like experience. This is the same road Razer’s Project Linda is following, it only just has better specs.

Project Linda Specs and Function

The device has a 13-inch QHD touch display with a similar design to the Razer Blade Stealth. It has Razer’s Chroma keyboard so you get the full customizable backlight experience. There are a few changes to the keyboard like the addition of Android navigation buttons and a Google Assistant key.

Where the trackpad should be is a large space for the Razer Phone to sit. Once it is docked, a USB-C connector plugs into the phone. Your apps are then displayed on the screen. You can decide to use the phone as a touchpad or as a second screen.

Although the device does use the phone’s processor and RAM, it has 200GB of storage for files and games. It also charges the Razer Phone when docked as it has a 53.6Wh battery. Sadly, the device doesn’t have its own speakers but makes use of that of the Razer Phone which is actually one of the best in the market.

The rest of the specs include a 720p webcam, a 3.5mm audio jack, a USB-A port, and a USB-C port.

Project Linda Price and Release Date

Project Linda is a prototype and there is no mention it getting released for sale anytiime soon.

READ MORE: Razer Phone: Here’s the Official List Of 120Hz-Optimized Android Games

Last year, Razer showcased Project Valerie – a laptop with three displays which unfortunately was stolen at the show. It is nice to know that the event didn’t discourage the company from demoing another cool though familiar device.

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