Patent ID: 8195928

Claim:
A handheld computing unit comprises: a hardware section; an application section; and an operating system section operably coupled to the hardware section and the application section, wherein the hardware section and operating system section: detect an additional device; determine whether to merge functionality with the additional device by: determining an identity of the additional device; determining whether, based on the identity, the additional device is capable of merging functionality with the handheld computing device; and when the additional device is capable of merging functionality with the handheld computing device, detecting an indication for establishing a merged mode; and when it is determined to merge functionality with the additional device, initiate a reboot of the handheld computing unit and of the additional device in the merged mode, wherein, in the merged mode, the hardware section and a hardware section of the additional device function as a single hardware section and the operating system section and an operating system section of the additional device function as a single operating system section.