1
Phones and tablets cannot replace the full sized computer because of physical limitations. Sometimes we need a full sized screen for visual convenience and sometimes we need a full sized keyboard if we are going to do any significant writing. The older we get, the more true these needs will be. I have both a phone and tablet, and even though I use them daily... they are both tinker-toys compared to my laptop. If I could only have one of the three, I would take the laptop, and it's an ancient Winbook.
2
Yes, we could really use a Puppy for devices. Not specifically for Puppy, but as an alternative to the duopoly that is Apple/Google. They are both ridiculously proprietary and becoming more so. At this point, you cannot even exercise the most basic control over your Droid such as choosing where to install an application. They are both actively seeking to prevent root privileges which means a lot of software you might want to run is not available to you until the right exploit shows up for your particular device. And... These guys are actively tracking everything you do and everywhere you go, creating a profile of you and your family which opens you up to all kinds of negative possibilities like identity theft, harassment for your political or social views, you or a loved one being stalked, hacking and financial damage, and yes, unreasonable and sometimes warrant-less searches and seizures by one's own government.
Even if all it did was supplement one's laptop or desktop and had a very limited amount of apps... I think the benefit of a Puppy phone/tablet would be immeasurable, especially if it could readily sync with your computer across your local network and serve as an extension of it from, the couch, the shop or garage, the porch, etc. When you leave home with it, all you really need is your ability to call and text, then do a few things while your out like browse for shopping or send an image. Anything more than that... you probably want to take your laptop with you.
Just my two cents, or points. I would not only use one but I would BUY one... if anyone out there feels entrepreneurial
and it does not need to be complex whatsoever or run Android apps, the vast majority of which are nothing more than time-wasters.