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Hi, as we'll all end up with an xda2, and they seem set to have built in Buetooth. I thought a thread all about the possitive applications for Bluetooth would be useful.
Can we steer away from the 'why can't it just have wifi' argument and actually discuss uses for bluetooth.
My thoughts are...
Bt gps mouse for the car would be fantastic. allowing you to pass the xda around the car and still have it picking up a signal. even take it outside the car when stopped to plan the rest of your route.
I have a broadband internet connection at home, running from a dedicated server machine, by Bt'ing the server i'll be able to wirelessly surf the net anywhere in my house, that would rock! internet based voice comms in my mobile. guess you could also Bt activesync if you really felt the need, but i tend to charge it at the same time so i'll stilll be plugging a cable in.
Bt headsets could be good. driving along the road and your phone rings etc...
Guess you could Bt contacts and appointments etc
Bt games could be interesting, think theres a worms clone called snails that already does this.
Does anyone know if it'll be able to connect to more than one Bt device at a time? say a gps system and a headset? or my server machine and a headset? Can anyone think of Bt uses that i've overlooked
i hope your house's not so big do not forget BTs range does not go over 10 meters and BT is much more subject to interferences frequencies with other devices than 802.b or g protocol. Even more BT max speed theorically is 2 Mbps, whereas wifi 802.11b is 10 and 802.11g is 54
i guess THAT makes the difference too
BT is more secure ok but within a very limited range and brandwidth, perfect for headsets
You can use multiple devices. BT effectively doesn't even give the full 10-meter specified range (unless it is Class II, 100 meter spec). It is very slow with an effective throughput around 700k. It is fantastic for headsets, and still much faster than GPRS. The GPS thing makes me laugh though...both devices need power, so why not just cable them together?!?
Not sure if this was addressed before (GPS is too short of a word for the search engine to return any results on).
Does the GPS Control Panel actually do anything on the Hermes? I read that it is supposed to allow more than one software to access the GPS at the same time. I've never actually been able to get it to do anything at all though.
I have a bluetooth GPS. I paired it, and opened an outgoing COM port (COM2). Telling GPS software to access that port directly works just fine. However, if I use the GPS control panel to use COM2 as my hardware port, COM9 as my "Program Port," and tell my programs to use COM9 instead, it just sits there, never even activating the GPS.
In summary:
BT-GPS -> BT on TYTN -> Outgoing COM2 -> GPS Control Panel -> COM9 software port -> GPS software
That above there is not working. Am I missing something?
(Secure connection is unchecked, and letting the software controll GPS automatically IS checked)
Same problem here. Tomorrow when I get some time I'm going to fiddle with the registry and see what's up. I'll post back with my results.
Ninja1
it allows you to run 2 gps application at the same time ie tomtom and memory map for example it usually hdden as unless you are running 2 gps apps its not needed
I would like to run 2 or more GPS apps at the same time. This thing just doesn't seem to actually do aything. GPS never turns on.
I'm a Desktop .Net developer with NO bluetooth experience and only a bit of low-level networking experience so I'm speaking from limited knowledge, but not complete ignorance.
I use my phone as an A2DP source and AVRCP client for quite a few devices (Jabra JX20 Pura, Jabra BT3030, Windows Vista, various BT speaker systems) and Alpine BT300) around my house, garage, car, and on the go. They all work wonderfully (some have better range than others, some better sound), but using any of them presents a couple common issues.
Some devices (like my car), constantly seek out the last paired device until they connect, while most of the other require a connection to be initiated from the phone. The phone doesn't care which is around or has the best signal, just which one successfully connects first.
I'd like an app that could have profiles setup which would let me control certain variables OR at a more basic function (see below):
Bluetooth Profile
Device Priority
Minimum Strength (to be used when more than one device has the same priority)
That would be my ultimate goal, but in the meantime I'd be happy with something as simple as a command line app that could be bound to a key or shortcut which would try to connect to a predefined list of BT MACs for a given profile and stop when the first one connects successfully. Variations on this might allow a connection attempt to a specific device instead of a list. This way I could have StartMenu or Today shortcuts.
The point here is largely to have to avoid nagivigating all the menus needed to initiate an A2DP connection, but I'm sure there are MANY other uses people would find.
If someone could point me in the right direction (I'm researching already of course) to the namespace(s) and or class(es) in .Net 2 or newer which would allow me to enumerate and/or initiate connections, this may be something I could bring to the community (assuming it doesn't already exist, and I have asked MANY times).
I've created a poll also to see what kind of interest is out there for this software and how much support I might receive.
I've been knocking an app up to suit my own personal A2DP needs... and a lot of yours by the look of things ;-) Things it does:
Kinetic scrolling finger friendly list of A2DP devices known to your phone (tap to select then tap again to attempt connection).
Toolbar buttons indicating active A2DP connection status (tap to disconnect active connection).
Bluetooth devices applet shortcut.
Switch bluetooth on (a good few of my devices need the phone to be discoverable so the app forces the phone to be discoverable at all times *blush*).
Switch bluetooth off.
Shortcut to program launcher list (automatically displays this list when you initiate a connection to a selected device... and there's items to display in the list of course).
Command line access (via secondary exe) allowing you to attempt connection (to a named , the last connected or first found device) and disconnect an active A2DP connection. I've only really tested the named device connection but the other 2 modes *should* work
QVGA / VGA and orientation aware.
I've been wanting to work towards getting it up on XDA... but time constraints (and a baby on the way ) have gotten in the way and it's unlikely I'll have the time to do it for a good while. I'd be happy to pass on the code to someone willing to take it further if that's any use. It's written (very quickly!) in VB.net BTW.
It uses a few bits and bobs from other people though:
A2DPToggle's "a2dp.exe" to handle initiating a connection.
Icons from lord only knows where I found them.
The kinetic list code found on here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=333124&highlight=klist). IIRC, I used the gingercat updated version and tweaked it to my own needs. There's many a kludge I've put in to the code to get things working quick-smart (D-Pad navigation mainly).
InTheHand 32feet.NET libraries (http://inthehand.com/content/32feet.aspx). These work with MS Bluetooth stack only.
So permission from the respective folks above would be needed before releasing it into the wild I guess.
Here's a screeny
Hey great tool! When I click a device will it auto connect or only open the BT Explorer and will it work with Broadcom BT Stack? Thanks
Oops, meant to say it's been developed for the MS bluetooth stack only. Sorry about that.
When you attempt to connect to a device it first checks the device is reachable and only then attempts to initiate an A2DP connection.
Northernmost said:
I've been knocking an app up to suit my own personal A2DP needs... and a lot of yours by the look of things ;-) Things it does:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely. I can get around in VB.Net and C# just fine. If you don't want to publish the code publicly, PM me your email address and I'll invite you to my Sharepoint site (easiest way I know to share files and manage communique), otherwise attach here.
It sounds like you've already covered 99% of what I was looking for, but I'd be more than happy to do what I can to more the idea forward, even taking suggestions from others in this thread.
About the BT stack, I'm running a Vogue with a ROM cooked in PPCKitchen, how do I determine which stack I'm running and can that be changed?
rainabba said:
About the BT stack, I'm running a Vogue with a ROM cooked in PPCKitchen, how do I determine which stack I'm running and can that be changed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've no idea what stack Vogues come with but the MS stack device list looks like the attachment below. If yours looks the same it's the MS one. I guess the Vogue forum should have any info on swapping stacks if it's possible.
Sounds like I found the correct people to answer my question about BT. Is there a way / how can I: enable my Mogul 6800 phone to transmit the sound that would normally go through the speaker to my BT headset in order to listen to streaming audio from the net using Kinoma Play which goes out and picks up all sorts of "radio programs" , i.e. not using a direct URL. I am also not able to listen to audio files from the Audio Recorder through anything except the speaker, even not through a head phone. Do I need to download a program or set up my phone differently. I currently have Titan WM6.1 Build 20755 GPS kitchen from PPC Geeks. Thanks so much for your help.
jminor4326 said:
Sounds like I found the correct people to answer my question about BT. Is there a way / how can I: enable my Mogul 6800 phone to transmit the sound that would normally go through the speaker to my BT headset in order to listen to streaming audio from the net using Kinoma Play which goes out and picks up all sorts of "radio programs" , i.e. not using a direct URL. I am also not able to listen to audio files from the Audio Recorder through anything except the speaker, even not through a head phone. Do I need to download a program or set up my phone differently. I currently have Titan WM6.1 Build 20755 GPS kitchen from PPC Geeks. Thanks so much for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need an A2DP capable device (high quality), connected, THEN start your audio program OR use a program called Audio Gateway with a basic Bluetooth headset (low quality audio).
thank you very much.
Northernmost, how about that source code? If you want to pass it along less privately than a post here, PM me and I'll provide a solution (source control, WSS, etc.)
Sent you a PM the other day. Let's go the private way for now.
Obtained Fuze two days ago and had a BT GPS receiver that I wanted to use. Took me two days of searching and finally trying non-intuitive procedure to get the connection to go through.
Step 1
Make a BT connection between the BT GPS receiver and Fuze.
Step 2
Afterwards go to Settings -> Bluetooth -> “COM Ports” Tab -> Select “New Outgoing Port” -> select “Telenav” -> Next -> Select “COM1” -> make sure “Secure Connection” has a tick mark -> Finish
Step 3
Fire up Live Search or whatever GPS app floats your boat.
In settings, be sure that COM1 is selected for the port.
All done.
Enjoy.
BTW: BT GPS receiver is telenav brand which I picked up from Best Buy- when I picked up it was 50 USD- on clearance, I have seen it now for 25 USD. Go get em while ya can.
Thanks for this info, it may come in handy if I wind up getting the Fuze.
Just curious, why did you want to connect an external GPS over the internal? Is battery consumption on the internal GPS higher than the BT connection? Slow to acquire fix? Not able to get a GPS fix exactly where the phone needs to be when you're using navigation software?
I didn't want to add an additional drain on the Fuze's battery by using the internal GPS receiver. From what I remember reading, an internal GPS receiver will suck up as much battery as the LCD on the device.
A BT connection should be less of a battery drain than an internal GPS drain- I'll have to look it up to confirm it.
You can use the TBattery app posted here (battery.zip)
It will give you a real time readout of current draw in mAh.. so you can compare values directly
So my FUZE with GPSone (and in airplane mode) it draws around 220mAh.
With my QStarz BT-1000X (only BT on) it draws 180mAh.
A bluetooth GPS definitely drains your battery less then the internal but is it worth the time you spent figuring out how it works?
Why don't you use a car charger to keep your phone "alive" more? That's what I do...
hmmm... when i had my Dell x51v and a BT GPS, what i had to do was
(assuming starting afresh, no other pairings)
1) Pair with authentication (enter the passkey on your BT GPS
2) Set up an outgoing COM port (usually it's COM7 or COM8)
3) Go to Settings>Hardware>External GPS
-- Internal GPS port (for GPS software) - COM4
-- Hardware GPS port (for BT GPS) ----- what you set in (2)... COM7 or COM8... BAUD rate according to your BT GPS
-- Allow auto management of GPS
4) Start your BT GPS, BT on your device, go to your GPS software and edit it to connect via COM4... if it fails, then use the com port in (2)
benefits to using BT GPS vs internal GPS on the Touch Pro
-- Tbattery says it uses 300-450mAh with a GPS software running with medium backlight... the back of the phone feels real hot... not burning hot, but hot..... you might not be able to charge the phone via the cigarette because of this extreme temp
I can't post this in development because I an still a nobody ...
Would it be possible to add in rfcomm for Bluetooth SPP serial port? The Nook would make a great tablet for telescope mount control over BT. You can't do it with the iPad due to the security around the BT stacks. It would also allow NEMA GPS modules to be read for different applications.
I'm running CM7 7.0.2 and this isn't yet available.
Just a dream?
Not sure if this is what you're talking about, but you can send the GPS data to the Nook form a GPS device like a Cell phone or GPS receiver. I use a stand alone GPS receiver and sometimes my Droid cell phone to send my location to the Nook to use CoPilot and Google Maps on the Nook. That's at least half of what you're talking about right?
Calla969 said:
Not sure if this is what you're talking about, but you can send the GPS data to the Nook form a GPS device like a Cell phone or GPS receiver. I use a stand alone GPS receiver and sometimes my Droid cell phone to send my location to the Nook to use CoPilot and Google Maps on the Nook. That's at least half of what you're talking about right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, you got me pondering...
I got out my trusty Garmin GPS 10 and I can pair but it's not connected. That could be for a couple of reasons (the Nook only connects on demand maybe.) But if what you are saying is correct, maybe it does support SPP since it uses a comm port for the GPS.
But, when I connected from my notebook and checked the services, SPP wasn't one of them (just OPEX and AD2P.) I will keep playing but I half expect that part of the SPP stack requirements are missing.
On the plus side, if the GPS will work too, that is a second plus since it's nice to be able to ask the GPS for the specific time and location during the telescope setup (it matters.)
I'll look for an app in the Market that might read an external GPS devices and show the location. I notice most apps are for reading the phone GPS (which we don't have.)
Thanks!
Android does not support SPP, but there are multiple apps in the market which do, Bluetooth GPS Provider is the one which I prefer as it works very well and just works no matter what.
Thanks folks,
I fired up the Garmin GPS 10 and it works using Bluetooth GPS. That means an application can add in the SPP. That is perfect and gives us hope!
I really appreciate the responses!
Awats said:
Thanks folks,
I fired up the Garmin GPS 10 and it works using Bluetooth GPS. That means an application can add in the SPP. That is perfect and gives us hope!
I really appreciate the responses!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, apps can directly talk with a Blutooth GPS. There are a handful which do this, or again, Bluetooth GPS Provider will provide the BT GPS to every app that asks for GPS.
This isn't only about GPS. GPS is just one aspect. I want to communicate with any serial device over BT. My understanding from reading it that rfcomm and the applications can supply that function.
What I did notice last night is that even without an application that supplies rfcomm, the Nook would still discover the devices unlike the iPad. I could pair to pretty much anything I wanted but it wouldn't connect. That's normal from my perspective.
At least I know it can be made to work.
khaytsus said:
Android does not support SPP...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, the XOOM does at least. Not sure whether it was Motorola's or Google's doing though. I use a Bluetooth to Serial adapter from Roving Networks quite successfully with it. I'm unaware of any other devices that do it.
I agree that native Android doesn't support SPP but the rfcomm library does and if it's linked into the application, SPP works.
Now if I can only find a way to use VNC to control my PPC from the Nook without going through a remote server (maybe via adhoc or BT ...)
Any device at API level 5 (2.0) or above may support BluetoothSocket, RFCOMM and therefore SPP unless the OEM did something to screw it up.