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Does anyone know if it is possible to use the mini USB port to access an external hard drive, and/or a USB Flash drive/card reader.
You would need this: http://www.casecooler.com/usbab5pgech.html
for starters then you would need a program to know how to read the drive.
It is defintely possible just not sure if anyone has taken the time to do it.
It would be very useful. If someone is already interested?
my understanding is that it is not readily possible due to the device not being a USB host device.
Google it or search these forums (not just kaiser) and you will see a lot of talk about it.
jallenclark said:
You would need this: http://www.casecooler.com/usbab5pgech.html
for starters then you would need a program to know how to read the drive.
It is defintely possible just not sure if anyone has taken the time to do it.
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Please do your research before use the phrase "It is defintely possible". For a start, when it can be connected doesnt mean it can be used. I can come out with an adapter which converts the USB-mini to a 240v-wall-plug, and it doesn't mean that you can charge your phone directly on a 240v AC power. It is like saying, if I were to use this, I'll be able to send my music from the phone to the car stereo.
The plug/socket designers came out with various plugs and sockets for a reason (i.e. so that people dont simply plug things together that does work).
Anyway, you should check on the topic 'usb host'.
I started working in this direction smtime ago but then got busy...hopefully if i get sm time in cming months, there might be smthing on the offer...
Hey all,
I was wondering if it is possible to communicate with an Arduino with a Tilt through the Tilt's USB port? I've just gotten into device application development and I had a cool idea I was wanting to make but the biggest hurdle is how to communicate between the Arduino microcontroller and the Tilt.
For those that don't know what an Arduino is (I feel sorry for you ), it is a microcontroller platform based off of the AVR Atmel168 processor. The version I've got on hand right now is a Seeeduino that has a mini-USB port on-board communicating to the Atmel168 through an FTDI USB-Serial chip (shows up as a serial port when plugged into the computer). It would be great if the Arduino showed up as a new serial port on the phone when plugged in, but I doubt it will be that easy. Does anyone know if the Tilt/Kaiser USB port can host other devices?
If anyone has a suggestion or has tried something like this, please comment. Or if I'm just crazy for thinking the phone can do this, tell me so.
Thanks all!
-Jeremy
USB drivers
Im not sure how much this could help, but it may get you off to a good start http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=480899
i noticed it said serial port in there somewhere, so i hope it helps!
You can have a try with the drivers mentioned above. If this fails, hook a Bluetooth module to your Arduino and forget about wires
When I was waiting for a haircut today, I was fiddling in the task manager and looked at the devices tab. Just thought I'd run these by you all:
Com 8: serialusbfn.dll (\Drivers\USB\FunctionDrivers\Serial_Class)
Com 9: Serial_UART.dll (Drivers\BuiltIn\SERIAL_UART3)
I haved searched around or messed with these yet but what in the world could com 8 be being used for right now?
-Jeremy
P.S. I did see that link and that will be the next thing I'll try, Thanks!
AFAIK there are some internal peripherals that are connected to the main processor through serial ports. That might be those.
Use I2C - you can get at it through the DS2746... when looking at the PCB on the side with all of the metal-enclosed areas, it's on the left, and towards the bottom (IIRC)... should be able to run 4 wires (get a ribbon cable) out the bottom (into the battery compartment)...
I've been considering this seriously... I2C is a damn useful bus, and it's underused in this device (only battery chip, touch screen, and camera control, AFAIK)....
The bus itself is two wires - SDA (data) and SCL (clock), and you'll also need +5v and ground.
Would be nice to hook up a spare ds1621 (you can get these as free samples) or a compass/accelerometer chip
While looking around my phone I came up with a couple of thoughts. First would it be possible to make devices that plugged into the miniusb port on the top of the phone and could it be plug and play? Heck maybe even make the driver if necessary built into flash memory on the new device. It seems like it just takes an kernel update to make something like this possible if it's not already.
The second thing I thought of is if the above isn't possible, why not create an attachable mirror that sits at the right angle to take advantage of the rear camera for video chat. You could project your image onto the mirror and the camera could catch that. The top idea is alot better, the bottom requires alot less knowledge. Either would get us video chat.
Interesting, i like the first idea.
I like the first idea, though for video chat I would rather someone figured out where to pick up the actual modual that goes inside the phone (there's a thread about how they left the mounting brakets in place for the front cam.)
However for other things, like maybe a gamepad+extended battery combo, or an IR blaster to operate my TV
q426669 said:
I like the first idea, though for video chat I would rather someone figured out where to pick up the actual modual that goes inside the phone (there's a thread about how they left the mounting brakets in place for the front cam.)
However for other things, like maybe a gamepad+extended battery combo, or an IR blaster to operate my TV
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This is the thread you were talking about.
From what I understand about micro usb is that there are five wires/confections. The outside connections are ground and power. The two next to the ground are for data (one + and one -) and the last one next to power is a identification connection. If the wireis connected/has power then its a source device (i.e. computer). If its not, then its a peripheral (portable hard drive, out in our case, our phone). Its been a bit since I read up on that, so it might be vice versa.
Last time I tore the phone apart, I didn't look, but it may be a setting that is hard-wired (literally), or its a switch controlled by software. If it's the latter, then its possible, if its hard wired, then its not.
Adding things to the kernel or loading drivers isn't cut and paste. It takes available source code, which isn't always available, for both the phone and the device you want to use (that works with android), as well as understanding of how to make it work.
That last part I am not well versed on. But we have a couple devs trying to get the vibrant opened up. They are few, and the request list keeps getting larger.
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I was just thinking today that it would be great to have a micro-usb device that could house a camera for video chat... I like your mirror idea...I'm prius owner and that's how the dashboard works. The usb is right there...really I think someone should incorporate a device in a mod of the back cover...i don't know anything about code but I could make the case.
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Devices require a driver of some kind so the controller knows how to talk to device. For example, if I wanted to hook up my DSLR and control it, I would need a driver ported over and then the SDK for the camera would have to be ported over. An OS like Windows 7 has literally thousands of drivers built in and many other devices require you to install a driver. The only time "plug and play" actually works is either with the OS has the driver already installed or if the device is designed around a generic driver.
Incredible idea! I'm going to make the second idea. I have my own twist on the concept but it shouldn't be to difficult.
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I like the first idea but I also had a similar idea and I'd like to see the attached camera come with led's and somehow acct as a flash for both cameras. It could be tiny, if the camera app could be figured out to trigger the flash on all galaxy s models, well at least the vibrant and captivate this could sell.
If a third party app was developed it could be added to any android phone in theory. If that third party app was as good as the galaxy s stock camera app then you'd really be in business.
If I was talking to my brother I'd have tried to convince him to help me develope something. Well I hope one of you talented devs has success with this idea. I'd also like to see success with the guy adding the extra camera internally, I'd be interested in performing the mod if the software end is figured out.
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I can take or leave peripheral support, but I'm DYING for USB host mode!
cashless said:
I can take or leave peripheral support, but I'm DYING for USB host mode!
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That's the thing, devices that support USB host generally don't use a mini/micro B port. They have specific ports for that. Of course, the USB controller in there may well be able to be a USB host, but we don't know how to enable that from what I have seen. IF the controller can be put into host mode, loads of options like this become possible. It would require kernel mods, but that's not a huge deal. However, as long as we are in USB client mode, the only things we can connect to the port are chargers and computers, as that's all the phone knows how to deal with.
ttabbal said:
That's the thing, devices that support USB host generally don't use a mini/micro B port. They have specific ports for that. Of course, the USB controller in there may well be able to be a USB host, but we don't know how to enable that from what I have seen. IF the controller can be put into host mode, loads of options like this become possible. It would require kernel mods, but that's not a huge deal. However, as long as we are in USB client mode, the only things we can connect to the port are chargers and computers, as that's all the phone knows how to deal with.
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That is exactly what I was trying to say earlier. You put it in better words. Thanks
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almyz125 said:
This is the thread you were talking about.
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Ahhah, I couldn't find it to save my life last night lol! Thanks ^_^
Makes me wonder if you can still take power off of the port and communicate to the device via blue tooth. But I don't think it would come to that.
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Dani897 said:
Makes me wonder if you can still take power off of the port and communicate to the device via blue tooth. But I don't think it would come to that.
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??
ttabbal said:
That's the thing, devices that support USB host generally don't use a mini/micro B port. They have specific ports for that. Of course, the USB controller in there may well be able to be a USB host, but we don't know how to enable that from what I have seen. IF the controller can be put into host mode, loads of options like this become possible. It would require kernel mods, but that's not a huge deal. However, as long as we are in USB client mode, the only things we can connect to the port are chargers and computers, as that's all the phone knows how to deal with.
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Click to collapse
Oh, it's host mode built in already. One of the major pluses that I weighed in on when buying the phone.
"Both the S5PC110 (smartphone chipset) and S5PV210 (its netbook alternative) are optimized to ensure long battery life for mobile devices, using a 45-nanometer (nm) Low Power fabrication process and low power architectures. With the 1GHz clock speed and 512KB L2 cache, these processors should also manage to provide performance unknown to the ARM world so far.
The two processors have built-in 3D graphics engine and support 1080p full HD video playback and recording at 30 fps. The final nice features of the new chipset include a wide variety of interfaces and peripherals, including HDMI 1.3and USB 2.0 host interface."
Hate to kinda go off topic with the USB Host mode stuff again, but it seems like since the interface is built into the chip, host mode should be enabled in the kernel.
Yes? No?
Has anyone tried to get an OTG cable in there to see what happens?
Just saying.
I've been curious about this since I saw it done (rather impressively) by sonic7406 (YouTube) on the Nexus One. Since then, I hear it's also been hacked on the Droid. From my research, I'm pretty confident this should be possible with the right drivers installed on the Galaxy S series. I've gathered together an (supposedly) OTG "compatible" cable (the Nokia CA-101 for Nokia 6600 Slide/N900/etc), an extra-beefy powered hub, and female-to-female USB-A adapter. I have yet to dive into the kernel to load any special drivers, try mounting drives, etc. I'm still unsure of the "OTG" cable and may still need to manually ground that fifth pin to kick it off. Though, as far as the cable is concerned, that is the only thing that makes it OTG on one end.
Host Mode Background Info: OTG Wiki
Here's a modoco thread that includes most of the relevant links I've seen.
Ideally, I'd like to find a microUSB to USB-B OTG cable that connects directly from my phone to the powered hub, but I couldn't find any. Let me know if anyone knows where we could find these.
It seems like we could create an entire new category of toys to attach to our devices if the micro USB port could be figured out. To me that's ultra exciting!
Let's go a few steps further, Being able to physically attach a printer or hdmi (Yes, I know about AllShare) to the tv could require a simple adapter that plugs into the micro USB port on the handset. We could also have a nice flash that has brackets that mount to the handset for support to get better pics in low lighting (instead of just saying "oh, I've got night mode", bugger that).
The capability to do this has to be written at the kernel level and then we need hardware manufactures willing to make the products. Therein lies the problem, how do we get that to work?
My neighbor is an electronics engineer and I'm a machinist, my friend is a tool and die maker.
My neighbor has an idea to make a device for surface mount soldering using an inert liquid with a boiling point equal to the soldering temp. This would be a cheap alternative to infrared soldering.
Other than that I might be able to come up with a housing.
I wouldn't want to commit myself untill the software works and we've tested the soldering machine.
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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.
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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.
...
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Hi,
Just wondering whether you got any further with this?
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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?
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 =)