Shell access by default. A complete unix toolset. Some type of init system I can hook into to run daemons.

Logically separated layers. Not "you don't like the display server... well you have to re-implement everything from scratch yourself". You know, normal computer things.

I'd actually be pretty happy if it just projected a reasonable-to-use keyboard on the table. I could work off the screen on a Note, it's big enough and high resolution enough for lots of work.

edit I'm thinking basically of this use-case, but with the projector in the phone.

http://www.brookstone.com/laser-projection-virtual-keyboard

edit apparently this is as close as is available (almost)

http://www.ctxtechnologies.com/products/vk300-iphone-docking...

Nokia had a prototype with a projected keyboard that kinda sorta worked. Wonder what ever happened to it.

I want a desk with one or more large displays, a keyboard and a mouse where I can "plop" my phone into a docking station for charging and use it instantly as my desktop work station environment for "work". Then I to be able to pick it up when I leave or when the phone rings.

I think it would be possible now.

Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, of course, already on the desk. Chromecast hooked up to the monitor. Use one of the Android automation apps to automatically mirror the display via Chromecast when the phone is in range of the BT keyboard / mouse on your desk and when it is laying flat on a surface (plopped onto the desk).

Not perfect. Chromecast latency might be an issue. You would still have to plug it into a charger if you don't have wireless charging. But it should work.

To kill the screen latency, you could use Miracast, which seems to be much faster than the chromecast (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-5JJhKMph8) or connect a cable (best solution: no heat because of the video encoding, can recharge the phone with MHL, no lag). Also one issue would be the DPI. Working with the big android elements on a, say, 24 inch screen would be a pain. But maybe you could automate a DPI change to rescale the whole interface.