Android MHL Extension Dock (Android as PC) - Hardware Hacking General

Hello everyone!
I just started working on a small project and would like to hear what you people think about it.
The idea of the project is simple. Create a dock for your smartphone, which basically extends its usability to a full fledged laptop or PC.
All the new phones mostly have MHL (11pin) connectors which means connecting it to an HDMI screen is not a problem. Also, a use of a wireless mouse and keyboard is quite simple and very functional.
So what I am thinking of creating is sort of a laptop with a 13.3 inch screen, a keyboard (maybe even removable to use separately) and a battery to power the LCD.
I have already been in contact with producers of LCDs and control boards, and believe I should start creating the prototype soon.
So what are your thoughts about it?
Do you have any ideas?
Thank you and have a good day!
*to mod: if this is in the wrong section I apologize and kindly ask you to move it to the appropriate section of the forum or message mo to put it somewhere else. Thank you1
greaneagle

Man this is great
I have been thinking about it for some time ... to make my phone a laptop whenever i need to have me a laptop
My solution was to find a virtual machine that runs inside my phone for any type of os ... the problem is the memory !!! Also the app i didnt find it yet
Well bro good luck
If i were you i would take advantage of screen casting instead of lcd monitor so in case the user wanna use the device screen or the tv !!! You can also sell a mini hdmi thing ( the hdmi stick that lets you cast your screen into tv )
Also there is a keyboard and mouse as one piece and their small and great could take them with you everywhere in ... i saw it amazon for 35$ or less something like that with Bluetooth connection. ... im sure you can find a way to do some mod for those keyboards and make them yours ... good luck and keep us posted

A great idea!
WHATSAMATTA U ALUMNI

lapdock is the answer
hi dudes
lapdock is the answer but the ld has only 11,6' screen. very suitable and light weight. a lot of mods on youtube.
http://www2.robpol86.com/lapdock/Atrix-Lapdock-Other-Uses/
cheers

Related

Connect Athena to external touch screen monitor, possibile?

Hi guys, i am currently trying to set up my Athena with my car, i wonder if it's possible to connect my Athena with a external touch screen monitor like this one: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/8-INCH-TOUCH-...9QQihZ005QQcategoryZ32826QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
throw the VGA cable.
I know it will display the screen throw VGA out, but I am not sure whether it will enable the touch screen function, any of you know this?
Thanks a lot
p.s. I will post some screen shot if I succeed in this project.
Is that a PS2 port?
Seems to me the key question is how would it get positioning info back to the ameo? That looks like a PS2 port on the non-vga cable. IF it was sending back mouse positioning info AND a simple ps2 to USB converter would work then I'd guess it MIGHT work with the mouse drivers i've seen discussed elsewhere. There is a fair few conditions to meet but mostly at a low level by the look of things. Not much info to go on and also it loks like they are using a pen of some kind there. That makes it less useful I think?
inframan said:
Seems to me the key question is how would it get positioning info back to the ameo? That looks like a PS2 port on the non-vga cable. IF it was sending back mouse positioning info AND a simple ps2 to USB converter would work then I'd guess it MIGHT work with the mouse drivers i've seen discussed elsewhere. There is a fair few conditions to meet but mostly at a low level by the look of things. Not much info to go on and also it loks like they are using a pen of some kind there. That makes it less useful I think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am sure you don't need a pen, there are lots of touch screen out there, for example this one: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....tToStoreCat&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget
I just don't know if we simply plug in the vga cable from our Athena to the touch screen, will that work?
Possibility not, I can kind of see a usb cable there, how about plug that in the usb host ? but then maybe we still need to install the driver.....
Basically, what I am trying to do here to use get a bigger screen to show for Athena in a car. So, I will then have much bigger TOMTOM, and also can watch movie or go on internet.
Any good suggestion guys? Thanks a lot for all your help.
I cant see any specks on that, but i did find another that said it was usb, if thats the case theres no reason why it shouldnt work.
johnwalk said:
I cant see any specks on that, but i did find another that said it was usb, if thats the case theres no reason why it shouldnt work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it seems like they all need to install driver, do you think it will work without driver?
thats the only problem, does it need specialist drivers? I havnt been able to come up with an answer yet.
But i wont be buying one for the car, somone nicked me vario yesterday from the car so not even chancing the Ameo.
I was just going to buy a little 7" tv I bought this tiny Keyboard out of Maplin on offer. thought it would look sweet in the car. but this is giving me other ideas, anybody shed light!
They ALL need specialist drivers.
Touchscreen is absolute position, mouse is relative. You NEED the custom driver. It may be possible, but I dont know how.
1. I think on the Pic is a S-Video cable not PS2.
(The specs say nothing about PS2)
2. Till now i just saw Touchscreens with USB and like Profer said they all
need secial drivers.
Basmelek said:
1. I think on the Pic is a S-Video cable not PS2.
(The specs say nothing about PS2)
2. Till now i just saw Touchscreens with USB and like Profer said they all
need secial drivers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your answer, i just ask one of the seller there on ebay, and the answer I got is I will be able to plug the VGA cable in, that will enable the screen to display, but in order to get the touch screen working, I also need to plug in a USB, so now the question is whether the USB host will work on this....and of course the driver need to work too
The 4in1 cable should allow the USB to connect, but you would have to convince 3m or somebody (make most of the drivers) to write a PPC driver.
As almost ALL ppc's are touchscreen, they probably wouldnt bother for the 1 customer that wants it
If you know a coding guru who understands USB, then get them to do it for you. Either way, I doubt its gonna happen.
IT WORKS!
Hi, everybody.
Don't know how many of u are interested in this issue, but anyway:
1. just grab the generic touch screen driver for win ce 5.0 from the usual site.
2. Copy 'n paste the UsbTouch.dll file into windows root directory of the X7500.
3. Plug the video cable (the one with usb connector).
4. Plug the xenarc TS usb cable in the abovementioned cable.
5. Wait for the dialogue box asking for the driver to be used with the unknown device.
6. Write the name of the .dll file copied into the device.
7. Press ok.
et voilà, les jeux sont fait! It woks perfectly, without even the need for calibration.
This is (even if it lacks some of the fun of setting up a carputer from scratch) the ultimate carputer, perfect integration among all application and real time (quite) OS.
Cheers.
Cyberlancer.
Pyrofer said:
The 4in1 cable should allow the USB to connect, but you would have to convince 3m or somebody (make most of the drivers) to write a PPC driver.
As almost ALL ppc's are touchscreen, they probably wouldnt bother for the 1 customer that wants it
If you know a coding guru who understands USB, then get them to do it for you. Either way, I doubt its gonna happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your on the right track with this answer,
Look for a touch screen that has a protocol that is treated as a standard HID ( Human interface device ) Ie:mouse, keyboard etc.etc.
if you can find such a device then the built in drivers for plug and play HID's will work fine.
otherwise the rest are right
Did this really work??? What car? This would simply be quite fantabulous.
cyberlancer said:
Hi, everybody.
Don't know how many of u are interested in this issue, but anyway:
1. just grab the generic touch screen driver for win ce 5.0 from the usual site.
2. Copy 'n paste the UsbTouch.dll file into windows root directory of the X7500.
3. Plug the video cable (the one with usb connector).
4. Plug the xenarc TS usb cable in the abovementioned cable.
5. Wait for the dialogue box asking for the driver to be used with the unknown device.
6. Write the name of the .dll file copied into the device.
7. Press ok.
et voilà, les jeux sont fait! It woks perfectly, without even the need for calibration.
This is (even if it lacks some of the fun of setting up a carputer from scratch) the ultimate carputer, perfect integration among all application and real time (quite) OS.
Cheers.
Cyberlancer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Presentations with HD-How ?

I have fallen in love with this device. But, it does not have tv-out feature for my presentations need. Impatica showmate can not support videos.
Does any one know any solution to do powerpoint presentations with HD? Thank you in advance.
check this topic ..
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=441744
Thank you very much for the link and information. It seems like a good option. If it is a bulky unit, then it defeats the purpose though. I was not sure if it uses bluetooth to show off the pda screen. I left a message for the supplier. Has anybody used this? Any other solutions available?
Thank you once again.
Does any one know if Optoma pk 101 pico pocket projector could be used with this at all?
I have XDA flame and Tilt and I am planning to combine both features and have one device. I want to make sure that Hd can be used for powerpoint presentations also.
Thank you very much.
You need a TV-out supported device which it is not the case with HD ..
there is a TV-out adapter that uses the memory slot ..but I don`t now if it can work with the HD ??
http://www.spectec.com.tw/sdv.htm
Aaah! this is killing. I agree it may not be possible with that adaptor as microSD slot is behind the battery , I believe. I wish Impatica had made a higher end product.
Thank you very much.
microSD slot behind the battery cover , so I you wish you can remove the cover and plug it there but you`ll have to put the ppt files into the main memory .
http://www.pocketnow.com/html/portal/reviews/0000001111/review/backopen_.jpg
regarding the Impatica I think it is the best solution for devices without tv-out put it lacks the media support (video).
hope you find the best choice that fits your needs

Future Things We Would Like for Elocity A7 (Hope Elocity/Google/Nvidia Reads)

1. Being able to use the USB port to connect to the P.C. and being able to transfer information.
2. Gingerbread since Elocity is stating that Honeycomb is out for the A7 due to multitouch "This is a downer)
3. Better support from Elocity like a forum to talk about our issues to the support group since no one wants to respond to phone calls
4. This Tablet has great Hardware and the only one who is making a difference is Dexter who Elocity should owe great gratitude since he has spent numerous hours making it a better device.
5. Google to add tablet support to the market place
6. Nvidia to step up to the plate and help Google with getting updates out to the tablet users.
Please post anything else you would like to see with this tablet in the future updates so that Elocity will read it here since they won't respond to any calls.
Add to this wish list:
Cifs
USB 3g/4g support
Working WPA2 Enterprise
Hope some more people have more to say as this is being sent to Elocitynow.com
I would like to see them release the kernel source / patches. They're obligated to by the GPL, but they've flat out ignored all my questions about it.
Some people have reported that they were told that an nVidia contract prevents releasing it, but that can't be true. Maybe some specific nVidia drivers need to be kept closed but not the Linux Kernel.
Other than what has already been asked for I would like to see either the specs for the dock connection or some type of powered speakers that you could just drop our device into. I really think our device would make a really nice multimedia station.
Sent from my A7-040 using Tapatalk
rdjack21 said:
Other than what has already been asked for I would like to see either the specs for the dock connection or some type of powered speakers that you could just drop our device into. I really think our device would make a really nice multimedia station.
Sent from my A7-040 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do think we will see a dock down the line. I believe it will share the same dock that will eventually be available for their new A7.x line (assuming that comes to fruition).
As for speakers... I personally doubt you'll see something from eLocity. Maybe a jack built into the dock. You could always just plug you computer speakers into the A7's audio jack.
rdjack21 said:
Other than what has already been asked for I would like to see either the specs for the dock connection or some type of powered speakers that you could just drop our device into. I really think our device would make a really nice multimedia station.
Sent from my A7-040 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OHH i like that... maybe some kind of app that turns the screen into a radio/mp3/alarm clock function that would also charge it... that could be leading to something...
Tether function like Archos tabs. While they're at it, make sure it works with Blackberry.
Mouse
Unless I'm doing something wrong, I cannot get a mouse cursor to show up when I use a mouse. Because the tablet has hdmi capability I would love to see a mouse cursor to show up on the screen to use it to navigate via bluetooth on the big tv
Customer support that actually responds back!
swiggyswag said:
Unless I'm doing something wrong, I cannot get a mouse cursor to show up when I use a mouse. Because the tablet has hdmi capability I would love to see a mouse cursor to show up on the screen to use it to navigate via bluetooth on the big tv
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The mouse cursor is not showing up. it works but it's like it wasn't designed actually have a little cursor running around the screen.
XBOX 360 PC Controller
There is a mod under the "Android Development" section that expands on Dexter's 1.1 mod. It allows for an XBOX 360 controller to be used. It works great on emulators. I am also able to move through icons, open programs, and open the search tab with the controller. If you had a wireless USB reciever for PC to use a 360 controller, then you could conceivably hook it up to the TV via HDMI and controll it from afar with a wireless 360 controller. Hope that helps!
We should focus on getting honeycomb working on the tablet ... I'm sure we can bypass that multitouch thing.
I agree, besides the Google Maps tilt function and Fruit Ninja, I didn't see anything in their demo today that screemed "hardware must have multi-touch"
No kernel source -> no roms -> no other things
5[Strogino] said:
No kernel source -> no roms -> no other things
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We should then ask eLocity to give us what we need ... will help their sells and then try to port Honeycomb ...
masterfred said:
We should then ask eLocity to give us what we need ... will help their sells and then try to port Honeycomb ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, their tech-support didn't answer any questions. I read some topics - a lot of people did not receive anything from them.
5[Strogino] said:
Unfortunately, their tech-support didn't answer any questions. I read some topics - a lot of people did not receive anything from them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's pretty simple ... Dexter for exemple should ask with Mods permission, the right to access sources or eLocity shall remove XDA from their web site in the support page (http://www.elocitynow.com/support.shtml).
It's pretty stupid they rely on a community without providing the proper tools.
We should also ask for a buy back program so we can upgrade those 3-4 months tablet in a useless form for the new A7 that will run Honeycomb ...
The tablet was still a 300-350$ investment that led to ... nothing ...
I 100% agree, this has been like a $300 beta device, no matter how nice it is to have a Tegra powered tablet, if it can't run without major modding we've been hosed. I've managed to get regular Android Market(not new one) running on top of the 2nd official ROM by using Root Explorer to copy a ton of files to the /system/app folder...still not excited though.
Stream TV needs to setup an exchange program for the customers who purchased these headache tablets that forced us to become part-time programmers and get us at the least into the low-end new A7.x tablet. Maybe for difference in retail and with free shipping of new tablet and return shipping of old unreliable tablet(unless they're as tired of it as general public).

[Q] Does any eInk Nook have hardware that could support a physical keyboard?

Please forgive my ignorance - I'm a fairly new developer and know very little about hardware.
The subject line of the post pretty much says it all. I'm looking for something inexpensive with an eInk screen that I can use to type on, as regular monitors tire out my eyes after a while. If no software exists, I'd be very happy to contribute to that development, which is part of why I was looking to the Nook (I'm most comfortable in Java).
Does the current model or any previous eInk model have the capacity to connect a physical keyboard? If not, are there any other eReaders that do have this ability? (I know I can get an eInk screen for a netbook, but I don't want to spend that much if I can avoid it.) I saw a few old threads discussing whether or not USB Host was possible, but none seemed to have a conclusive answer one way or another.
Thanks for your help!
I'm not quite sure if the current version has Bluetooth. But since it is android and if it does have Bluetooth. Chances are there would be the possibility of connecting a Bluetooth keyboard.
Another possibility is getting an eeepc network and replacing the screen yourself with a pixelqi screen. That should be easier on your eyes (though probably not so easy on your wallet)
Sent from a Galaxy S 2 Far Away
Sorry, Volcanolotus, but the STR does not have bluetooth. One further option for that would be use the usb connector, converting it to usb host, and adding the physical keyboard. It is just a concept, but it may work.
apeine said:
Sorry, Volcanolotus, but the STR does not have bluetooth. One further option for that would be use the usb connector, converting it to usb host, and adding the physical keyboard. It is just a concept, but it may work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hm. I thought so too. Fret not! I just thought of a solution. It has wifi right... Use this! https://market.android.com/details?...?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEsImNvbS52b2xvc3l1a2l2YW4iXQ..
Though its really a clumsy solution but a solution nonetheless
Though i love the nook, would not a kindle, already having a keyboard be a better option?
Now, in regards to using the USB port as a USB host, in regards to cell phones running android, the hardware is there, though software uses have been hit/miss on. ICS (Android 4.0) enables usb host functionality natively in the operating system, this will probably be your best bet for the functionality you want. The downside is that I would expect it to be atleast a year or longer before ICS comes to the nook.
keyboard now working
I asked verygreen to work on this and 24 hours later, voila.
(Nook Touch Android Development) USB Host support (working)

Looking for ideas to make Z3 Compact with a broken touch screen usefull again

Hi,
I have a Z3 Compact with a broken screen. It displays everything all right, but the touch is pretty much dead. Shame, I loved that phone.
Thus I am looking for interesting ways to make it useful again. It runs Android 6.0.1 right now.
I have an OTG connector, so I am still able to use the device with an USB mouse - BT controller is an option as well. My most basic options are:
- emulation-handheld for old consoles like PSX and SNES
- PC Camera (with apps like DroidCam, IP Webcam)
But before that my most basic question would be:
Will I be able to use the mouse after reseting the device to factory settings? Seems like the easiest way to clear all the data.
Also, I know there are unofficial Android ROMs available - is it possible to install and use them without the touchscreen, only with USB mouse?
And now to some wishful thinking...
Are there any Linux roms for Z3C akin to Raspbian for Raspberry Pie? Z3C most likely has enough power to act as a simple desktop PC for internet and youtube, it also has peripherals (was it called MHL?) to connect it to a monitor via HDMI that should be dirt cheap by now (the question is, is it still possible to connect K&M at the same time? Is USB-hub enough?), so... maybe?
Any other ideas are welcome!
*useful, my bad
A handy accessory
torrentius said:
Hi,
I have a Z3 Compact with a broken screen. It displays everything all right, but the touch is pretty much dead. Shame, I loved that phone.
Thus I am looking for interesting ways to make it useful again. It runs Android 6.0.1 right now.
I have an OTG connector, so I am still able to use the device with an USB mouse - BT controller is an option as well. My most basic options are:
- emulation-handheld for old consoles like PSX and SNES
- PC Camera (with apps like DroidCam, IP Webcam)
But before that my most basic question would be:
Will I be able to use the mouse after reseting the device to factory settings? Seems like the easiest way to clear all the data.
Also, I know there are unofficial Android ROMs available - is it possible to install and use them without the touchscreen, only with USB mouse?
And now to some wishful thinking...
Are there any Linux roms for Z3C akin to Raspbian for Raspberry Pie? Z3C most likely has enough power to act as a simple desktop PC for internet and youtube, it also has peripherals (was it called MHL?) to connect it to a monitor via HDMI that should be dirt cheap by now (the question is, is it still possible to connect K&M at the same time? Is USB-hub enough?), so... maybe?
Any other ideas are welcome!
*useful, my bad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure you have one of the magnetic charging cables so you can at least keep the mouse plugged in at all times AND keep the battery charged Keyboard & mouse possible IF you use something like the OLDER Logitech models with the proprietary dongle. The newer "unified" stuff won't work. BT keyboard / mouse too sluggish in my experience. If you are feeling courageous, and especially if you don't need it as a daily driver, a replacement screen is something like 25 dollars USD on eBay - get the one with a frame unless you are experienced in replacing screens - the replacement screen only units are somewhat FRAGILE.
nezlek said:
Make sure you have one of the magnetic charging cables so you can at least keep the mouse plugged in at all times AND keep the battery charged Keyboard & mouse possible IF you use something like the OLDER Logitech models with the proprietary dongle. The newer "unified" stuff won't work. BT keyboard / mouse too sluggish in my experience. If you are feeling courageous, and especially if you don't need it as a daily driver, a replacement screen is something like 25 dollars USD on eBay - get the one with a frame unless you are experienced in replacing screens - the replacement screen only units are somewhat FRAGILE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, Nezlek! [I pozdrawiam współ-Warszawiaka! ]
Fortunately I have the magnetic cable, so no worries there. I wasn't planning on replacing the screen, definitely not that courageous. I loved that phone, but I am just not good with tinkering inside of small electronic devices. That is why I was thinking about ways of using it with other input tools like OTG mouse or BT controler. Right now I am thinking about getting a MHL cable for HDMI output and giving it with a BT gamepad to my friends kids with some games loaded. I have no other ideas, sadly.
Do you happen to know if OTG works right away after full-reseting the devicse? This is my main concern now.
Good Question ......
torrentius said:
Thanks, Nezlek! [I pozdrawiam współ-Warszawiaka! ]
Fortunately I have the magnetic cable, so no worries there. I wasn't planning on replacing the screen, definitely not that courageous. I loved that phone, but I am just not good with tinkering inside of small electronic devices. That is why I was thinking about ways of using it with other input tools like OTG mouse or BT controler. Right now I am thinking about getting a MHL cable for HDMI output and giving it with a BT gamepad to my friends kids with some games loaded. I have no other ideas, sadly.
Do you happen to know if OTG works right away after full-reseting the devicse? This is my main concern now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I assume that OTG would work right after a re-set. Why not? The support is built into the ROM. As for the MHL cable, another good idea, but you could just as easily screen cast, no? But, for 5 U$D, or 18 zł PLN (take your pick) an MHL cable is a "worth it" experiment. And, if you're feeling adventurous
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Sony+Xperia+Z3+Compact+LCD+Screen+Replacement/35488
From personal experience, the only real issues with the Z3C are that the LCD panel is held in place by adhesive, so you have to position those templates rather precisely, OR use glue :crying: OR double-sided tape AND, you have to be CAREFUL re-positioning the speaker. Caution and patience is all you need.
raz kozie śmierć

Categories

Resources