Currently trying emacs (after years of VIM) and what amazes me is how easy it is to extend the system. I don't know if we can extends this to novice. But spreadsheet and form builder looks like the most viable candidate. Maybe extends it with modules like data providers (files, music, contacts, emails,...) and actions (open file, play audio, call, send email,...). But this require open standards and protocols and the industry is trying hard to move away from those.