Method and apparatus for multi-mode mobile computing devices and peripherals

Abstract

Embodiments of a method and apparatus are described for operating a mobile computing device in different modes using different operating systems. An apparatus may comprise, for example, a memory operative to store multiple operating systems, a processor operative to execute the multiple operating systems, an operating system management module operative to select a first operating system when the mobile computing device is in a first mode or a second operating system when the mobile computing device is in a second mode and the mobile computing device is coupled to one or more external devices. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

1 . A mobile computing device, comprising:
 memory operative to store software that includes a first operating system and a second operating system;   a processor to execute the software to:
 boot a first operating system when the mobile computing device is operatively coupled to a dock and 
 boot a second operating system when the mobile computing device is decoupled from the dock; 
   a battery to power the processor; and   a connector to operatively couple the mobile computing device to the dock.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the dock includes a power supply to charge the battery of mobile computing device. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile computing device of  claim 2 , wherein the power supply includes a lithium-ion battery. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless network interface to communicate with a wireless communications network. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a display. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a touch screen. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the first operating system is one of iOS, WEbOS, or Windows OS. 
     
     
         8 . The mobile computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the dock includes a switch to toggle between the first operating system and the second operating system when the mobile device is operatively coupled to the dock. 
     
     
         9 . A computer-implemented method, comprising:
 executing, by a processor, a first operating system stored in a memory of a mobile computing device, the memory operative to store software that includes the first operating system and a second operating system;   first detecting, by the processor, that a connector of the mobile computing device is operatively coupled to a dock; and   booting, by the processor, the second operating system in response to the first detection.   
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 second detecting, by the processor, that mobile computing device is decoupled from the connector; and   booting, by the processor, the first operating system in response to the second detection.   
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 second detecting, by the processor, that a switch configured to toggle between the first operating system and the second operating system has been toggled; and   booting, by the processor, the first operating system in response to the second detection.   
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , wherein the first operating system is one of iOS, WebOS, or Windows OS. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 9 , wherein the dock includes a power supply to charge a battery of mobile computing device. 
     
     
         14 . The mobile computing device of  claim 13 , wherein the power supply includes a lithium-ion battery. 
     
     
         15 . An article comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instruction that when executed by a processor, enable a system to:
 execute a first operating system stored in a memory of a mobile computing device, the memory operative to store software that includes the first operating system and a second operating system;   first detect that a connector of the mobile computing device is operatively coupled to a dock; and   boot the second operating system in response to the first detection.   
     
     
         16 . The article of  claim 15 , comprising instructions that when executed enable the system to:
 second detect that mobile computing device is decoupled from the connector; and   boot the first operating system in response to the second detection.   
     
     
         17 . The article of  claim 15 , comprising instructions that when executed enable the system to:
 second detect that a switch configured to toggle between the first operating system and the second operating system has been toggled; and   boot the first operating system in response to the second detection.   
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 15 , wherein the first operating system is one of iOS, WebOS, or Windows OS. 
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 15 , wherein the dock includes a power supply to charge a battery of mobile computing device. 
     
     
         20 . The article of  claim 19 , wherein the power supply includes a lithium-ion battery.