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

A computer-implemented method, comprising:

• selecting a first operating system stored in a memory of a mobile computing device, the memory comprising at least one non-volatile memory operative to store firmware comprising at least a portion of the first operating system and at least a portion of a second operating system;
• sending a first control signal to execute the first operating system using a first subset of functional blocks of a plurality of functional blocks of a multi-core processor of the mobile computing device, wherein each of the plurality of functional blocks comprises a core of the multi-core processor and at least one of the cores comprising a virtual processor core;
• receiving a docking notification from an external device coupled to the mobile computing device;
• selecting the second operating system responsive to the docking notification;
• sending a second control signal to execute the second operating system using a second subset of functional blocks of the plurality of functional blocks of the multi-core processor;
• and
• activating an always on, always connected (AOAC) mode responsive to switching from the first operating system to the second operating system.

An article comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions that if executed by a processor enable a system to:

• select a mobile operating system for a mobile computing device when the mobile computing device receives power from an internal power supply, the mobile computing device comprising a memory, the memory comprising at least one non-volatile memory operative to store firmware comprising at least a portion of the mobile operating system and at least a portion of a desktop operating system;
• send a control signal to execute the mobile operating system using a first subset of functional blocks of a plurality of functional blocks of a multi-core processor of the mobile computing device, wherein each of the plurality of functional blocks comprises a core of the multi-core processor and at least one of the cores comprising a virtual processor core;
• clock gate functional blocks of the processor that are not part of the first subset of functional blocks;
• select the desktop operating system for the mobile computing device when the mobile computing device receives power from an external power supply;
• and
• send a control signal to shutdown the mobile operating system and to execute the desktop operating system using a second subset of functional blocks of the processor activating an always on, always connected (AOAC) mode responsive to switching from the mobile operating system to the desktop operating system.