Systems and methods for docking portable electronic devices

A system for docking portable electronic devices, the system comprising:

• a master device including a processor, the master device having a communication port in operative communication with the processor;
• and
• a slave device including:
• a retention mechanism operable to retain the master device in a docked position with respect to the slave device, wherein when in the docked position at least a portion of the master device is contained within the envelope of the slave device,
• one or more hardware components integrally provided with the slave device, and
• a connector disposed relative to the retention mechanism and in operative communication with the one or more hardware components of the slave device, wherein the connector is operable to establish a communication interface with the communication port of the master device for communication between the processor and the one or more hardware components when the master device is in the docked position;
• wherein the processor is operable to control the one or more hardware components when the master device is in the docked position, and wherein the one or more hardware components require communication with the processor to realize full functionality.

A method for docking portable electronic devices, the method comprising:

• positioning a master device in a docked position with respect to a slave device;
• retaining, using a retention mechanism, the master device with respect to the slave device;
• connecting, upon the positioning, a communication port of the master device with a connector of the slave device disposed with respect to the retention mechanism;
• communicating data between the slave device and the master device;
• and
• controlling with the master device, one or more hardware components of the slave device.