Why dont they make a flash tool that plugs into your micro usb port or replaces the battery cover, so we can finally take pictures with a flash?
I dont believe this would be too hard..would it?
Using flash takes away all shades and your pictures will look like 2D drawings. Applies to any camera off course
himalayasplaya said:
I dont believe this would be too hard..would it?
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It would, as the USB port can't give any power.
Just get yourself a keychain flashlight... or even better, a camera.
darfri said:
Using flash takes away all shades and your pictures will look like 2D drawings. Applies to any camera off course
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Uhhhhhhhhhhhh?
darfri said:
Using flash takes away all shades and your pictures will look like 2D drawings. Applies to any camera off course
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Click to collapse
That is the biggest crock of S*** I've heard in a while. I guess all of those professional photographers who use flashes are wrong, huh?
bluedragon1971 said:
That is the biggest crock of S*** I've heard in a while. I guess all of those professional photographers who use flashes are wrong, huh?
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Which is better, a less than ideal photo (and I'm not a photographer so cant confirm the effects) or a far to dark/totally black photo?
I know NOTHING of programing these phones, but from a mechanical stand point, I'm not too bad. Is there anyway to trigger something out the USB port when the camera is ready to pop? Something so that the light doesn't have to be on constantly, but can come on only when the camera is ready to snap, like a standard digital camera works? I can probably fab up a back cover with a flash built into it...
Why is this an issue? I fail to see any correlation at all between the equipment used by a professional photographer, and the convenience of a simple 3MP snapshot camera included in your phone. You were given a suggestion that addressed your problem and apparently you were quite upset by it. So, my turn... This IS NOT a 10 - 12 MP Canon, Nikon or Leica! Its to snap a quick shot of something for later reference - an event, a schedule, a location, a photographic note, if you will. The camera in your phone is not the primary device or function of your phone - its an 'added function' that can be effectively used as intended, or complained about by those that can't fully appreciate its capabilities!
Oh, and those professional cameras listed above don't make or receive phone calls, don't have e-mail or voicemail capabilities, don't play my mp3s or videos, can't use wifi to browse the internet or for online banking or for etc., store GBs of data other than pics & video, function as a gps unit, open or edit my Office docs, use text messaging, or play a myriad of games! And yet they cost from $699 to $999 apiece! How do those manufacturers' sleep at night? And you won't find a forum for support anything near as intense and complete as the XDA-Developer's Forum - all for what you can afford to donate!
Now I don't mean to preach, so here's examples: instead of a daily to-do or task list, I can take a quick series of photos to remind me! Pix of ATM card to remind me to go to the bank, of a loaf of bread or carton of milk to remind me to hit the grocery store, of the Suburban's front end to call for an appointment to get the front-end aligned, of the dog to remember his vet appointment, and of a document I need to complete by end-of-business! Those pix are worth a thousand words, and the time it would take to write detailed notes to myself! Then simply delete photos as tasks are completed! Too cool! At the store over lunch and see a new Sony LCD HDTV you like? Take a photo of it, along with the pertinent sales tag info, and research it later at home on the internet! Meet someone you haven't seen in a while? Take a photo to remind yourself to tell the wife that night, with that picture to enhance your tale! Need to match paint for a room in the house with the colors of the furnishings or rugs? Take a series of pictures with you to the hardware store. Take a photo of a suspicious vehicle 'just in case'? An accident, a surprise event, a crime or disaster? You at least have the camera in your phone - its way better than no camera at all. For your 'Keepsake Memories' get a decent camera, complete with a flash!
Hope this helps put things in perspective for you.
BTW, this was a rant - not a discussion or an argument, so keep your opinions to yourself. I've said what I wanted to say!
BigDad_1
When I started this thread I did not intend it to go out of control. I was just wondering if anyone knew where to get one or how to make one.
This is more along the lines of what I was looking for, except for the Kaiser instead of the iPhone: http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/snaptureflash-gives-iphone-makeshift-camera-flash
I think a new back cover that has a built in flash would be awesome. If someone makes one, and it works, I'll certainly buy one.
I think about how much I miss my flash on my old phone all the time. That was a huge blunder leaving it off the Kaiser. Even if you never use a flash on your pictures, it was a handy flashlight. But it was certainly nice to have a flash for pictures too.
himalayasplaya said:
When I started this thread I did not intend it to go out of control. I was just wondering if anyone knew where to get one or how to make one.
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Don't worry, the thread isn't 'out of control' you just need to take heed of what kilrah has already posted. The USB port on the Kaiser isn't a host port so it doesn't (and cannot be made to) behave like an ordinary USB port on your PC (well not without some serious electronic redesign work far beyond what we as non phone designer sorts could come up with). Other options must be investigated.
Was the USB comment directed at me? I was just wondering if there was a way to trigger the flash 'remotely'.
as for some sort of add on flash, my dad has made several LED units, self contained, that fit in a 3/4 inch copper pipe cap. Mostly made of brass, it includes a switch and is heavy. He used it as a night lite for something like 7 days str8 on a single 2032 battery. Granted, it is not sleak, but it was self contained.
The main problem with a 'flash' is that the camera app wouldn't be able to process the picture any faster (focus on it and make adjustments for light) before snapping it because the camera app wouldn't know that a flash would be coming soon to compensate for a flash... unless we have a camera programer in our midsts? Or, can a camera app be ported from a flash enabled device, or do the OEM flashes stay on as long as a flash is called for, so there is no 'compensation' per se?
I am getting ready to purchase a TyTN II parts phone, I'll have to see what I can do with it. I've got a few ideas up my sleave. Does anyone have what the Proprietary USB B port pin out is, both sides of the tongue?
if anyone makes this invention i will gladly buy it from them ASAP
Heh, I've started working on it... at this point, I'm not working on making it interface with the camera, it will have an external switch and be something you turn on when you want it, and could also be used as a flashlight to light your way in the dark...
I am also toying with having it light up when ever the camera is in use, but I need to find a dead kaiser (the phone I own, so the phone I'm developing for) in order to work on some sort of interface for automatic operation...
Anybody got a Kaiser with a crushed screen and case that I could tinker with? *grins*
SaltyDawg said:
I think a new back cover that has a built in flash would be awesome. If someone makes one, and it works, I'll certainly buy one.
I think about how much I miss my flash on my old phone all the time. That was a huge blunder leaving it off the Kaiser. Even if you never use a flash on your pictures, it was a handy flashlight. But it was certainly nice to have a flash for pictures too.
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/agree
I used the flash on my S710 as NIGHT LIGHT all of the time. I think an external flash able to slide in an touch the battery contacts would be cool. Een if you had to turn on the light by a little switch built into the back cover. 5V should be MORE than enough power to light up maybe 3-5 small LED lights. Even if they werent connected to the cam directly, im sure it would help a lot in low light situations. Just my 2 cents I like this idea
I am in the process of comunicating with LED suppliers, and will begin mocking something up here in the coming weeks... I'll keep you posted.
A couple of questions for potential users... What is better, to make a cradle to slip the phone into, to make the components fit completely with in the format of the phone now, or to make the phone slightly larger (like an extended battery pack)?
The advantage of a craddle is that it can be put on and removed fairly quickly... Downside is that it would be hardest for me to make... (grins)
The advantage of the lights fitting within the format of the phone now is that you don't have to have something extra, or an extra large phone, to carry around. Perimatly mounted, and ready to go at all times... the down side is reduced performance because of no extra batteries, and possibly fewer LEDs, and the fact that the owner of the phone would possibly have the hardest time installing it.
The advantage of an extended battery type back cover is that you can get extended battery usage (by use of separate batteries for the LEDs), and nice balance between easy on/easy off and size... the downside is that the phone would be slightly larger, and you would have to carry the extra back cover if you didn't always want the phone bigger, but wanted the option for a flash.
The cradle idea would be the most expensive by far, and quite probably out of my reach at this time.
The extended back and original size formate are going to be fairly close in price I have the feeling.
The extended back will probably be the easiest to build, but personally, I'd rather not use that style.
So, what do _YOU_ think?
I think Mag light and all problems solved
Seems alot to do for a camera that isn't very good anyway, but good enough for snapshots.............. After all it's not an SLR..............
The best one, in my opinion, would be an entirely new battery cover that had LED lights mounted in it, and was not any bigger than the original battery cover.
Something that is permanently mounted, and basically a part of the phone, and not making the phone any bigger (it's already a brick). Maybe a little larger than the regular battery cover, but not a lot. Hopefully not enough to notice. I'm not worried about battery life as this would only get used for a few minutes every day (at the most).
I don't know if that is even possible, but if it is, I'll take 4 of them.
Nobody ever uses an external GPS receiver, so maybe the stuff could go in right there?
stylez said:
I think Mag light and all problems solved
Seems alot to do for a camera that isn't very good anyway, but good enough for snapshots.............. After all it's not an SLR..............
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Yes, a maglite would work... but I take many photos with my camera when I can't put both hands in position to illuminate the subject and hit the shutter... I go to the car salvage yard alot, and if I can't see a part good enough from my vantage point, I'll hold my phone up and snap a picture from there to see if it is worth digging for, for example.
As for it not being an SLR, MOST digitial cameras are NOT slr... and MOST people do not shell out tons of money for an SLR. If you don't like the camera phone, that's fine... you can carry a second item. For the rest of us, we'd like to improve on a decent useable camera, so we will, Thank you.
SaltyDawg said:
The best one, in my opinion, would be an entirely new battery cover that had LED lights mounted in it, and was not any bigger than the original battery cover.
Something that is permanently mounted, and basically a part of the phone, and not making the phone any bigger (it's already a brick). Maybe a little larger than the regular battery cover, but not a lot. Hopefully not enough to notice. I'm not worried about battery life as this would only get used for a few minutes every day (at the most).
I don't know if that is even possible, but if it is, I'll take 4 of them.
Nobody ever uses an external GPS receiver, so maybe the stuff could go in right there?
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Hehehe, my wife never uses her GPS at all, but I use an antenna adapter from Wilson Electronics along with a mini whip antenna with a magnetic mount... it go from 1-2 bars on a bad day (with TomTom Navigator 6), to a full count of 5 bars... unplug the antenna, and it goes back down, plug it back in, and it bounces back up...
I've looked into using that area, but it really doesn't afford much in the way of space, and I'm not too keen on modifying the original fabric of the phone itself, it just doesn't seem 'right' to me.
Your vote has been tallied.
I fancy a new facia to clean up my Exec anybody got any experience of these if it is anygood or worthwhile? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cover-Housing-for-O2-XDA-EXEC-I-mate-JASJAR-Qtek-9000-B_W0QQitemZ140315588872QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_MobilePhones_MobilePhoneAccessories_MobilePhoneFascias_JN?hash=item140315588872&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
Keep in mind
that is does not include the hinge, those are sold separately. Other than that - all good, but a bugger of a job to replace - read all the info you can find before undertaking. When changing over the screen, don't forget a small magnet from your old one, too many people tend to forget that particular part or discard it as unimportant. Forget it and your screen won't change orientation when flipped.
Facia change
I figured it wasn't going to be easy, the key board side looks relatively straightforward but the screen side looks more involved. Has anybody done one before might have any tips?
Done plenty before
doubt tips will be enough for you to complete the job, sorry. As I said - find the disassembly guide and follow it exactly.
The keyboard side might looks fairly straightforward, but it's not.
wow i didn't know this existed. i my screen side is cracked and the backing is messed up where the power button is and around that area with scratches. this would be great!
i have opened the back and that is really easy but i havent touched the screen.
And what about hinges? Where to buy?
Thanks in advance
Hi All
My wife's recently got a Hero but she's found a problem with her long nails making typing difficult (capacitive screens don't work with fingernails!)
I've bought a couple of different types of iPhone stylus' but, though they do work, you have to really press quite [scarily] hard to make them register.
Can anyone recommend a stylus that works smoothly and without too much pressure?
Thanks!
The Pogo ones seem to be the most common iPhone ones, have you tried one of them?
Not yet - will seek one out. Thanks!
Did a quick search on Ebay - Item number: 390096569342 free postage too
Anybody have any joy resolving this?
Not yet. I was going to try a Pogo stylus but then found a review that suggests that it may be no different than the other stylus' I've bought. I can actually believe this because I've now managed to test the stylus' I've bought on an actual iPhone and they work far, far better than on the Hero
...not sure where to go from here.
It seems that HTC has lodged a stylus patent specifically for capacitive screens
http://htcpedia.com/news/htc-patents-stylus-for-capacitive-touch-screene.html
Thanks for the update. there has to be a lo-tech fix for this though. I'm going to have a think & a Google search & I'll let you know what I turn up
I found this but I'm not sure I like the idea of metal on glass
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/06/diy_iphone_stylus.html
Update: Metal actually works on the screen!
Update: got this now http://www.flickr.com/photos/antisynoptique/3225070344/in/photostream/ my mind is thinking hard. JTHM what do the ends of your stylus' look like?
There's no helping some people.
Have you tried this?
+1 lol
topjolly
You'll be sorry when I make my own lo-tech stylus! I'll show you.
I'LL SHOW YOU ALL!
Sorry,
Sometimes I get a bit carried away, I just think that there is a better way & telling my better half to trim her nails (although it is a good idea) wont really fly
I always wait till my Japanese friends did something wrong and then ask them for Yubitsume. Works like a real finger
i was going to post a picture of a chopped off finger to be a smartass so i did a google image search...
now im mentally scarred for life :/
The best stylus I have ever used is the papermate flexgrip elite M. They come in different colors and double as a pen which is what they really are. I recommend highly. I change color with the outfit I'm wearing. I'm in IT Networking so I always keep one in my shirt pocket. My job gives them out. Once you start using them you wont be able to go back to a regular stylus. I can't. You want to see it with the cap on the pen side, not the clip side. I use the small stylus side.
It looks like the bottom right of my phone has an issue where the front and side parts do not meet up, and so I get some light bleed on that edge. Does anyone else have this issue, or is it just mine and should I get it replaced?
I would find out if its a problem specifically to your phone or all of them.If its just yours get it swapped out.
That would be just yours... I dont have that issue
dont have any problems like that. swap it for a new one.
I just checked mine and looked very hard to see if any light leaked and it doesn't seem to. I'd definitely say that's not normal/how it's intended to be... not sure how common it is.
Does the gap seem noticeable? Aside from the light that is. Does the "frame" around the glass seem bent? My glass seems to fit the frame completely, so I can only imagine that happening if the frame was bent somehow or if the glass was not made properly.
If the gap is significant enough to let crap get in there, then it might be worth returning. If it's just a little light, it's a tougher call. Based on the pictures, I'd like to say I wouldn't bother. That said, I get the feeling I'd probably get it replaced if it were actually my phone. The biggest thing is if you can see any other potential problems as a result of whatever the issue is.
Same as above, I don't have that issue.
Thanks everyone -- I'll take it back tomorrow and see what they say - probably will get a replacement just to be on the safe side.
CC Lemon said:
I just checked mine and looked very hard to see if any light leaked and it doesn't seem to. I'd definitely say that's not normal/how it's intended to be... not sure how common it is.
Does the gap seem noticeable? Aside from the light that is. Does the "frame" around the glass seem bent? My glass seems to fit the frame completely, so I can only imagine that happening if the frame was bent somehow or if the glass was not made properly.
If the gap is significant enough to let crap get in there, then it might be worth returning. If it's just a little light, it's a tougher call. Based on the pictures, I'd like to say I wouldn't bother. That said, I get the feeling I'd probably get it replaced if it were actually my phone. The biggest thing is if you can see any other potential problems as a result of whatever the issue is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the only time that you can really tell is in the dark (how I saw it in the first place this morning when I got up and grabbed my phone) -- otherwise even looking directly at it it's not noticeable. I'm just wondering if the store did something to it (very long story, but they hosed up and ordered me the wrong stuff and magically found this one to give me so I'm wondering if it was a return that I got or something odd).
when i first got my tablet and dock which originlly just a day apart (once i used it , i just knew i wanted the dock)........thy fit together really snug. And i remember wondering initially if the multi piece design of the hinge would eventually be a problem, and get loose.
Well after 3 months, of which i very rarely take the tablet out of the dock, usually only if i want to play a game with tilt controls and such, So i keep it in netbook form almost always.. but its finally starting to get loose enough to be worrysomewhen its open and the tablet is standing straight up, i can wiggle the device and id say theres really close to 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch, of play or wiggle out at the top of course.
I would say a few millimeters play at the connection itself. when you open or close it and watch it you can see it spreading.
I actually went upto my local best buy where they have one on display that im pretty sure is the same one thats been there since i boughy mine 3 mnths ago, and its obviusly gotten a good amount of action. But its about the same as mine maybe slightly looser.
I use the hell out my tablet anfd although i do feel asus should have and could have made that connection stronger, im not complaining about the build of the device at all, i know i use this thing everyday all day, i never have it more than a few feet away from me so if its gonna get loose at all ill do it.
Now im wondering how everyone else uses theres and how loose are your guys tablet to dock connectin is there a lot of play, and has anyone tried to fix it or do anything about it.
i put a thin piece of felt which wont scratch anything and is very flexible so i figured it had give but i slide that in between the back of the tab and the metal overlapping dock hinge, and it stiffened it up pretty good.
its only gonna make it spread open more.
Sounds normal to me, there is a piece of felt in the hinge already at least on my dock, and as long as the clip is locked and the connector is making a good connection it appears the stress points are the clips not the connection. I am certain that a product like this has many thousands of on off cycles on the dock hinge as well as open close cycles before releasing it, so far I've not heard a report of a broken hinge assembly, seems to be made of pretty sturdy material imo.
I wouldn't recommend putting more material into the hinge if you think it will exacerbate the issue..