So, joining up the Android concept, and the shops/mall idea, with IRC presence...

A crazy idea... but what if GS creates also a

non-flying VO client for small plataforms.

So, VO subscribers, when not playing, can use most of their smartphones for:

-Talk online, as IRC client.
-TRADE using online shops
-Use a limited station interface, able to buy/sell/load cargo and ship items, customize ships, so on.
-Player remains bound to that station.

As an analogy, it is like "Full Client" is when I am onboard my ship, while "Small Client" is like when I am at station's office or my quarters...

Possible even for an online java applet... HTML based...

We've been kicking this idea around for a number of years, and are well aware of the possibility. It isn't currently a priority, but we aren't ruling anything out for down the road.

Give the small platform a simple autopilot and let them fly trade and mine.