No specific names were mentioned at the time regarding manufacturer partners, but recently a new concept project appeared that seeks to bring that vision to life.

Billed as "the smartphone that becomes a tablet, laptop, or PC," the NexPhone is now seeking funding for a planned launch in 2013.

"NexPhone will be one single device that can be used at home, at the office, or on the road without the need of synchronizing content or contacts with other devices," explains NexCrea, the company behind the NexPhone. NexCrea is a subsidiary of VoIP provider Kosmaz Technologies.

The vision is this: When connected to a monitor and a keyboard using a dedicated docking station, the NexPhone would provide a full PC solution using Ubuntu for Android, complete with a full range of desktop applications including , Web browsing, email, media, and messaging.