[Q]Is there a possibility for external keyboards? - 7" Kindle Fire HD Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I recently got a carrying case for about $8 for my kfhd. It also comes with a built in keyboard, which is very cool. To see if I could use it, I also purchased a micro USB to USB in order to connect, but it doesn't work at all.
I'm assuming this is because of the closed os. Once a bypass or stable ROM gets released, will using an external keyboard ever be a possibility?

I've seen the nexus 7 connected to a micro keyboard via usb so its a possibility if you went with a straight android ROM, but the bootloader still needs to be cracked first. I can't remember if the KFHD has bluetooth, otherwise you can try bluetooth keyboard.
Edit: appears that KFHD only has bluetooth for headphones and speakers according to their site. I just returned my KFHD and got a Nexus 7 and typing with my HP touchpad bluetooth keyboard on my Nexus 7 Small things like this, not even being able to use an external keyboard right off the bat adds to the list of returning the KFHD making me go with another device.

Yes, I suppose it's only a matter of time before someone gets the bootloader to work.
I'm hoping my time invested in waiting will pay off with better hardware capabilities

I didn't want to play that wild card so I returned my KFHD and picked up the N7. There were devs exchanging comments on a thread in the general section but any talk on there seems to have ceased, so that is not a good sign in my opinion. I'm sure they are working on it and I'll kick myself when the bootloader unlocks but its not a chance I can take right now.
If you have a BT keyboard in hand, doesn't hurt to try. Someone said they got a BT game controller to work.

Related

Possible to connect a usb or bluetooth mouse to pda?

Is there a possible way to connect a mouse to the pda? I hate when I try to play a online game the screen keeps sliding instead of acting as a mouse. Is there a way how I can use a mouse?
hopefully I'll get as much as answers as I do as views.
I'm interested in that too!
There's something called Teksoft USBInput - I just found it yesterday, but haven't tried it yet.
If you can get the right cable adapters put together, I'd imagine that it would work.
Yes, I agree with bdusmc! I too found USBInput not that long ago and have installed the software on my PPC. Recently though, I found the part I was looking for on ebay ($1 and free shipping) and ordered it. I assume it will be arriving soon and I anticipate seeing if it works. I'll let you know if it works, okay? I'm really hoping that it works because well, it would be amazing. Sure you have a slide out keyboard but hey, I have a full sized USB keyboard. WHAT NOW!? lol Ultimate friend pwnge will occur I'm sure. However, if I had the new keyboard from FastFingerKeyboards it would make things more practical then fun....
i think it should be possible and awesome
Sorry for the late response but I've been waiting on the replacement part. You see, it did not connect using the first mini USB to USB Female adapter I purchased nor on the second one I received just today. At this point I can not concluded if it is the adapter or another problem. Anyways, you're welcome to try it and let me know if you can get it to work... Maybe BlueInput would work. The sad thing about that is it uses bluetooth which will decrease the battery life rapidly and bluetooth keyboards are more expensive. Oh well!

Do you think will GTab have USB host?

You may not know how useful USB host is. You can use USB stick (up to 32GB), USB keyboard, USB mouse.
If it had USB host, I'd buy it for sure (wifi only).
Sadly NO...
On German Amazon its possible to pre order the device and the datasheed isnt saying something about USB Host
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/B1gfmv71YkS.pdf
http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0041RSF6Y/
This one was my favorite (because of the Phone capability) until you asked this very good question
Maybe they got it rooted in future and then its possible? (depends also on hardware...)
Greetz Tokl
I'd guess that its not going to ever have the capability without hacking. I don't think any device has that at the moment.
I guess what gets hacked depends on what the hackers think is worth doing, and I can see that USB host would be an especailly awesome thing for the Tab so hopefully it will get some interest.
If its a game breaker, you may well be disappoited for a long while tho. This kind of hacking doesn't happen over night.
LostAlone said:
I'd guess that its not going to ever have the capability without hacking. I don't think any device has that at the moment.
If its a game breaker, you may well be disappoited for a long while tho. This kind of hacking doesn't happen over night.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is SO true. I remember people trying for years to hack USB host mode in to Nokia's Linux Tablets: the N770 and such. I wonder: Did they ever manage to do it?
LostAlone said:
I'd guess that its not going to ever have the capability without hacking. I don't think any device has that at the moment.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please someone correct me if I'm wrong (as I don't have the device in question) but doesn't the Nokia N8/E7 support just that? I seem to remember a video demonstration of the N8 supporting an USB memory stick.
Also, the Tab will have a dock that has a keyboard, so it's not totally impossible for it to have USB host capabilities.
AnttiV said:
Please someone correct me if I'm wrong (as I don't have the device in question) but doesn't the Nokia N8/E7 support just that? I seem to remember a video demonstration of the N8 supporting an USB memory stick.
Also, the Tab will have a dock that has a keyboard, so it's not totally impossible for it to have USB host capabilities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know about the N8, sadly I just don't have much interest in that part of the mobile space. However, some googling seems to indicate that it is possible (news articles say so) but I don't know if its naitive or needs hacking.
As for the keyboard and stuff, thats a good point. I can't see them using a non-usb standard for that, so it must just be the proprietary connector that makes the difference. In that case, all we should need is a Tab-USB connector, and a few drivers. That would really give the tab some muscle.
In general can mobile devices support the USB min-harddrives ? The ones that power from the port ? If thats possible then the tab will kick serious ass. 250 gigs in your pocket for cheaper than a microSD card.
I'm not really a fan of Nokia's products either, although they USED to make great products they haven't done so in awhile. And I *hate* Symbian. Anyways, at least the N8 DOES have some USB Host capabilities:
"Among the Nokia N8's neater tricks is its support for USB On-The-Go, which basically lets you connect USB peripherals (flash drives, for example) to the phone and have it act as a host..."
http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/30/nokia-n8s-usb-on-the-go-support-demoed-lesser-phones-turned-in/
That was almost perfectly offtopic, sorry for that ^_^
Oh, or not, perhaps! Look what I JUST found:
"USB Standard port adapter
With this kit your Galaxy Tab becomes a standard USB port. With this USB port you can synchronize your digital camera or other devices."
http://www.oled-display.net/more-sa...s-bluetooth-pen-standard-usb-adapter-and-more
Well if they are going to officially make an adapter then maybe we are going to get USB Host... I can't see how you could transfer things off a digicam without the Tab hosting it as a drive.
Well... This looks pretty awesome then.
But they *CAN* cripple the functionality to just mass-storage devices or perhaps just cameras, like Apple did with their USB Camera connection kit, or whatever it was called.
Let's just hope that Samsung doesn't go that route.
Hopefully samsung aren't that stupid Although in theory we should be able to hack it back open anyway, and its a good start at least.
Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but I'm also wondering about usb host (or at least OTG) on the Tab (as I'm considering buying on to port Meego to).
Could someone who has the keyboard doc post the dmesg output once it's been plugged in please?
From some dmesg output I saw elsewhere (but not with the keyboard dock), it appears that the USB chipset is an OTG version, and seeing it act in host mode with the keyboard doc plugged in would be a nice confirmation.
I Would be interested to see the anser for this one.
Yes it is launched (mainly for photographers) i have seen it's price, very cool cheap at £10000 plus something!
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
It's not the Fools Day yet, so keep your jokes at bay.
OK, I just ordered a keyboard dock and I'll have a look. I'll post a dmesg output and open it to see if the PCB is marked in any way.
According to the pinout (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=9925838) there seems to be no other way for data to flow apart from USB.
So one of the following must (should) be true:
1. Samsung is reusing the pins for a proprietary protocol -probably reconfiguring the device by pulling up or down other pins.
2. The device is capable of host/OTG mode but it is probably unpowered and it probably needs a pin pull-up/pull-down to enable.
3. The keyboard is using unidentified pins, and the USB pins are used simply for the PC connection and power.
Does anyone know if the keyboard acts as a proper dock? i.e. when you connect it to the pc does it work at the same time as (say) KIES or drive mount?
Just a quick update, the keyboard was just shipped, and I should have it by Tuesday.
Sent from my HTC Vision using Tapatalk
Hi,
Just wondering whether you got any further with this?
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA Premium App
There was a problem with my order (the company didn't have any in stock) and the keyboard hasn't arrived yet. Still waiting!
I'll post the moment it arrives.
EDIT: Normally I would name and shame the company, but they are sending me a couple of freebies for their mistake so I'm happy
USB host
This is a good concept. I have an Archos 70 and a Galaxy tab. Archos has a micro usb port with which I connected my USB host adapter and the key board and mouse works . Flash drive and router dongle says more power required. So I am looking for a powered USB connector for this.
Unfortunately, Galaxy tab has different cable and I dont know if I can find a host cable for this. Any suggestion?
Worth a shot?
After reading this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=9925838
I checked the G-Tab pinout :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDMI
and tried to ground pin 13 to put the tab in host mode last night... needless to say since I'm typing this on my computer... epic fail. However, I'm curious if anyone else has had any success with this.
I'm not too much of a fan of buying something to destroy... but if I have to disassemble a dock to get the pinout for monitor mode... suck!
Anyone have any advice as to what I jacked up here?

[Q] USB keyboard app/driver on NC?

Hi all,
(This is my first post here, but I've been a lurker since I heard about the rooted Nook, and I wouldn't be enjoying my gadget so much if it wasn't for you guys!)
I just got a USB to micro USB adaptor in the hopes I could use my rooted NC with an external keyboard (have my eye on one of the keyboard/case thingies). After a search on google and on these forums, it doesn't look like it's an easy feat.
So my question: is there a way of making a USB keyboard recognisable as an input source in 2.12.25, the way you can do it with the Gingerbread virtual keyboard, or is there some hardware condition to it?
If not, is somebody working on it, either with autonooter or one of the other roms?
(I should add I'm not a techie. Just a geek barely smart enough to follow instructions and copypaste command lines into a terminal )
The challenge would be to activate the microUSB in USB Host Mode. I asked about this in the NC General forum, but I didn't get a single response; so, as far as I can tell, nobody is currently tackling this issue.
If its possible with the hardware, it would certainly be very cool
Sent from my Nooted friend...
I would love to see some work on this as I would some day enjoy using my nook color to catalog my digital photos in the field (there is a lot to be done before that can happen). In the meantime, do you have a bluetooth keyboard? That my happen first.
Thanks guys for your responses. Google tells me that activating the USB host is not entirely impossible on Android devices (sorry, can't post links yet), but I suppose the NC is another kettle of fish entirely.
lekofraggle, I've read the thread about Bluetooth, and that might be a solution as well. I'll buy a BT keyboard the day they make it work =)

Apple Wireless Keyboard on NC

Wondering if anyone has successfully pair an Apple Wireless Keyboard with NC via bluetooth? I just ordered on on the cheap and now am nervous it may not work. Anyone?
Bluetooth work is still in development. Check the Dev forum for the bluetooth thread - the latest info I've seen shows a video of a NC paired with a BT keyboard and working quite well.
eyecrispy said:
Wondering if anyone has successfully pair an Apple Wireless Keyboard with NC via bluetooth? I just ordered on on the cheap and now am nervous it may not work. Anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How much did you pay for it? I am also looking to get the apple wireless keyboard.
The bluetooth apple keyboard worked for me. The connection seemed fine but I didn't test the range.
Nooking with Encore
It should work. When you get to pairing, make sure you type a code into the keyboard (say, 1234) and then type the same thing into the text field that pops up on the NookColor and say OK. It should pair up from there.
Hope that makes sense!
jay0911 said:
How much did you pay for it? I am also looking to get the apple wireless keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
$50 on eBay including shipping.
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk
eyecrispy said:
$50 on eBay including shipping.
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice. I've been searching for one under 60 bucks for weeks. The keyboard is the one product apple didn't completely cripple with their bull****.
elwopo said:
nice. I've been searching for one under 60 bucks for weeks. The keyboard is the one product apple didn't completely cripple with their bull****.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny.
There's a guy on eBay selling refurb units. When all's said and done, you'll be paying about $50 ---- which is much better than $70 plus tax.
I got my Apple Wireless Keyboard today and I've successfully paired and connected it to my NC. I'm typing this update on it right now. This is the latest gen keyboard (the one that takes 2AA batteries).
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk
+1
elwopo said:
nice. I've been searching for one under 60 bucks for weeks. The keyboard is the one product apple didn't completely cripple with their bull****.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from James' OCed Nook Color
Well I bought a slightly defective Apple Keyboard (the i key needs a hard press and I'll take it to the local Genius bar)
I've cross tested the keyboard on my laptop and it seems to me that the Bluetooth on the NC is a bit buggy.
I get a lot of repeat keeeeeeeeeys when I hit a single key. This appears to happen at random, but does not happen on the laptop.
If I backspace, it will often wipe entire sentences. Again, no such issue with the laptop.
There is also a bit of lag - keys entered take a moment to appear when entered.
I'm runnng CM7 stable version.
Any suggestions or comments?
i have both the 3 battery and 2 battery apple keyboards. The older 3 battery keyboard will connect and pair but won't type anything. the newer 2 battery ones work fine. connects and pairs but lets me type as well (no doubt the point)
so get the newer ones and you'll be fine.
Yep, I can type okay as have a two battery version, just these random bugs that I don't get with my laptop.
I'm thinking that its down to the Bluetooth software on the Nook.
Anyone else have a view?
so, do you have to be running CM7 to get bluetooth working?
also...would this keyboard work for any android device? I actually do a bit of typing on my phone (editing documents via dataviz docs to go), and as such I need my physical keyboard (still have d1). Then again, I could do my doc editing on the nook (i currently don't cause I hatehatehate onscreen keyboards)
it's not working on mine
i'm running CM 7 on my nook color and it was able to pair with the keyboard (apple). and said connected as HID device, yet i couldn't type anything. i tried using the bluetoothJP but it was unsuccessful. I read an article about updating the kernel, i did update the kernel and now my NC won't start at all.. any suggestion?
danggrianto said:
i'm running CM 7 on my nook color and it was able to pair with the keyboard (apple). and said connected as HID device, yet i couldn't type anything. i tried using the bluetoothJP but it was unsuccessful. I read an article about updating the kernel, i did update the kernel and now my NC won't start at all.. any suggestion?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you have the old 3 battery version or the newer 2 battery one. I'm guessing the 3 battery one. if you have the former it most likely won't work. my 3 battery won't work on cm7 but my newer one will. bt is still a bit buggy so maybe this will change once the new .32 kernel is stable. I haven't heard or seen of reports of the newer 2 battery ones not working. what version of cm7? 7.0.3 stable? I've run mine on 7.0.1 and 7.0.2
ahhhh.. no wonder... i dont know that there are two version of apple keyboard.... i guess i have to wait.. i run the 7.0.3
Jsorvik said:
It should work. When you get to pairing, make sure you type a code into the keyboard (say, 1234) and then type the same thing into the text field that pops up on the NookColor and say OK. It should pair up from there.
Hope that makes sense!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please explain, i've tried it so many different ways and nothing still works.
I'm using a Rocksoul apple type BT keyboard (http://www.myrocksoul.com/bluetooth-keyboard-bk-series.html) I got from Fry's for $34, and it seems to be working fine (incidentally the RS website says they have an android version but I can't find it anywhere).
I assume that since it's designed for the ipad, it shares many of the pros/cons of that device. Here is my quick summary after using for several days:
* It pairs just fine as long as I typed the same access code on both the nook and keyboard (as instructed by a previous message).
* I have to turn off wifi when using BT.
* The biggest annoyance is when the screen times out, I lose BT access. The best way I've found to reconnect is to reboot my nook, which is a hassle in the middle of a meeting.
* I use Inkpad to type in the notes, and it is annoying when the onscreen keyboard pops up (have to touch the onscreen back key to make it disappear).
* I can't seem to find a way to have capslock stay on. So to type a word in all caps, I have to shift each character.
* The keyboard has many apple-specific keys that do not seem to work with the nook including: option, command, control, or all of the function keys.
* Surprisingly, the volume up/down key works.
* The arrow keys work, but not in the order I expected. I have to reorient myself when using (eg. "left" means "up")
Overall, for the price this is a good keyboard. I also invested in a $14 ipad stand that I use to prop up my nook and it works nicely (http://www.targus.com/au/product_details.asp?sku=AWE65US)
Using latest CM7 nightly 177.
I have the logitech bluetooth keyboard for ipad and have been using it for several months. BT and wifi work at the same time. I have not had the disconnect issues described with this kbd but I have my screen timeout set to 30 minutes. I am currently running cm7.1 nightly 160 as I was experienceing wifi disconnects frequently with newer nightlies. Not sure what the issue is but 160 is rock stable for me. The key mapping is the same for logitech kbd as for the apple kbd. Most of the function keys are screwy but all the regular keys and number keys work well. There is a problem with the caps key but not a major issue for me. The logitech kbd was $69.00 so a bit higher than most but this is a very solid kbd. The android model came out a few weeks after this one but I decided to stick with this one as it does it's job for me. I use this kbd in conjunction with usb host mode so I can use a logitech usb mouse as well. Overall, the combination works well.
Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk

A few Nook HD questions

Hi, I'm thinking of getting a 7" tablet to install in my car, I'm not looking for anything super high spec as I'm literally just going to use it for mapping and playing music. That being said, the nook HD looks like a really good spec for the price..
I've just got a few questions
It doesn't have GPS, but I assume it will work using a bluetooth GPS once I've installed CM10?
I understand it uses a proprietary usb cable, how far does it stick out? Does anyone have a picture of it? This may be me only problem mounting it in dash as I wont be able to find a right angled one!
Yes, you can use a Bluetooth GPS puck. I haven't gotten Google Maps to work with it yet but I have gotten other programs to see it. A 3rd party GPS program should work with it. I'm still planning on testing that theory but to much family stuff has been going on right now to actually do it.
With the connector and the way the cable is wrapped right next to it it sticks out about an inch (just a little under that) from the bottom of the device. I'm pretty sure that to much pressure on that part of the cable will make is useless so you would have to make allowances for it. Also, it needs more power than a normal micro usb cable to actually make it charge. The AC adapter puts out 1 volt at 2 amps.
Got Sygic working today. Had to use this program to get it working though. https://play.google.com/store/apps/...?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDYsImRlLm1vYmlsZWouYnRncHMiXQ..
Other then that seems to work quite well. I should mention that I am on CM10.1.
I got Google maps to work fine with my phone using Bluetooth for gps and Wi-Fi for data.
Have to see up maps to accept debug data and use bluetooth gps programs on both devices
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Categories

Resources