We currently have a netbook that is several years old and is WELL used so I'm looking at replacing it soon. I know the Transformer would be great for most of the things we use the netbook for, email, internet, facebook, etc. But I do have some questions about capabilities because I'm not 100% sure the Transformer can replace everything we are currently doing with a netbook.
Can you copy from one external USB drive to another through the Transformer? While on trips we use a netbook to dump video we take on an HDD camcorder. When you plug the HDD camcorder into a computer via USB, the computer sees it as a USB drive formatted FAT32. I also have a 2.5" external HDD. Could I connect both the camcorder and the external HDD to the Transformer and transfer the files? (I understand that if this is possible at all, it would have to be done with the keyboard/dock.)
same question as above, but with a USB card reader instead of a camcorder. Need to be able to dump photos from our camera's CF card.
If the tablet is out of power and you plug it into the keyboard/dock, does it actually charge the tablet, or does it just power the tablet? (Assuming it only powers it.)
Can you charge a USB device (such as a cell phone) from the keyboard/dock USB port without the tabled docked to it? (Assuming no.)
Anyone use it as an ereader such as the Kindle app? How readable is it in daylight?
Tamble said:
If the tablet is out of power and you plug it into the keyboard/dock, does it actually charge the tablet, or does it just power the tablet? (Assuming it only powers it.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The dock's battery is designed to be an extension of the tablet's battery and the firmware's goal is to keep the tablet charged and ready for disconnect. From my experience it appears that when you are docked the dock's is constantly transferring power to the tablet so I suspect it would charge a flat tablet battery. When the charger is connected the dock the tablet's battery is charged first, and then the dock's battery. This is in keeping with the design of ensuring the tablet is ready to go standalone all the time.
Tamble said:
Anyone use it as an ereader such as the Kindle app? How readable is it in daylight?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like most TFT displays the screen is largely unreadable in direct sunlight. If you need to read by the pool in direct sunlight that you want an e-ink screen like the Kindle or original (not color) Nook.
Related
Hi, can anyone who owns a XOOM pls let me know if you can plug in:
1) a USB flash drive to the XOOM, and view and open files on the drive?
2) an external hard drive and view and access files from your XOOM
Many thanks
masrinz said:
Hi, can anyone who owns a XOOM pls let me know if you can plug in:
1) a USB flash drive to the XOOM, and view and open files on the drive?
2) an external hard drive and view and access files from your XOOM
Many thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the Xoom have a USB port? Pretty sure it only has MicroUSB. I guess they do have microusb flash drives not that I look.
Hi. Yup its only got micro USB, but I guess you could use the included adapter cable to plug in a flash drive.... we don't have the XOOM here yet, but the functionality of being able to connect a flash drive, move files e.g. PDF or .doc and then view them is important to me.
masrinz said:
Hi. Yup its only got micro USB, but I guess you could use the included adapter cable to plug in a flash drive.... we don't have the XOOM here yet, but the functionality of being able to connect a flash drive, move files e.g. PDF or .doc and then view them is important to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As of today what you want is not avab. The cable it comes with doesn't take input. They do have a cable online that will do this one day, but doesn't do it yet.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk
The cable that Motorola "will" be selling is a micro-usb to standard usb (female) adapter. I'll look around for the sources, but I know that I saw this detailed in a few videos from Motorola techs and at least one reviewer site.
The cable is not just a straight conversion of form factor, but has the necessary pinout to instruct the Xoom to jump into usb host mode. From the reports that I saw, it would absolutely provide the ability to plug usb drives, cameras and other accessories into the xoom for direct access. In fact, the reviewer that I saw, made a comment that they had verified the functionality by plugging in a couple usb keyboards... supposedly worked like a champ.
Lame that we need a "special" adapter, but I can imagine that if it is just a pinout issue, it may be possible for the good folks here at XDA to craft a software solution that would allow us to bypass the motorola-branded cable... It would have been WAY cooler if it was a standard usb port, like some of the other tablets on the horizon.
Thanks. They mention in many reviews and I think Google mentioned it too that you can attach a mouse or keyboard by cable (I know about Bluetooth) which suggests that it should support input, so is it just a hardware interface thing or an actual firmware OS/software issue?
Edit: thanks for the great response gigglebox.... we posted simultaneously
Is this it?
http://www.clove.co.uk/motorola-xoom-camera-connection-kit
masrinz said:
Is this it?
http://www.clove.co.uk/motorola-xoom-camera-connection-kit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Visually, yeah. Looks like they took it off their site for some reason. In fact the only times that I saw this on Moto's site, was in the day or 2 leading up to the launch... when typing in xoom into the search bar on their landing page, it would spit out a drop-down menu listing the Camera Connection Kit (by name and pic).
I dont like the fact that they call it a "camera connection", but they werent pulling any punches about it serving as a host. They did note that the external storage (thumbdrives, etc) were not yet supported, but that they would be. The cameras and (according to them) keyboards were working now.
I believe it is possible but right now it is a software limitation.
More info here: https://supportforums.motorola.com/message/329075
Droid4All said:
I believe it is possible but right now it is a software limitation.
More info here: https://supportforums.motorola.com/message/329075
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed, the engineer from moto definitely says the hardware should accept any usb 2.0 or higher device, but it's a software issue. Toshiba have a straight usb and a micro usb port on their device so hopefully they're working on this.
We don't have the XOOM here yet, but hopefully by the time it becomes available (approx April) we might have the option of the Toshiba as well.
I use this USB host cable and it works great. Have tested it with my 750gb Oyen and 320gb WD Passport external HDD's, several usb flash drives (8-16gb), San disk USB memory card reader, and a USB keyboard.
For those having issues getting their Xoom to recognize USB storage devices here's what I've got and did to get it to work: I flashed my XOOM (3.1) to the 2.6.36.4 Tiamat_Xoom-v1.4.4-Full_Throttle Kernel and was unable to get the USBMount to recognize drives or storage at first. I installed USB Mass Storage Watcher from the market (it's free) and it works awesome! Can mount any storage I want (NTFS, FAT16/32, HFS, HFS+, EXT2, ETX3, EXT4) with any capacity. I think this app will work with any rooted Xoom (or other devices). Under my Kernel my USB host is located under/usbOTG.
Hope this helps.
FYI ... I've checked it and stock ROM Xoom without root is able to operate standard PC keyboard/mouse using basic one-to-one usb->microusb adapter (without any electronics onboard).
Probably with proper dual socket usb adapter (also without electronics onboard) it would be possible to connect both keyboard and mouse at once.
irekd said:
FYI ... I've checked it and stock ROM Xoom without root is able to operate standard PC keyboard/mouse using basic one-to-one usb->microusb adapter (without any electronics onboard).
Probably with proper dual socket usb adapter (also without electronics onboard) it would be possible to connect both keyboard and mouse at once.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you have a Logitech keyboard and mouse that connect by the unifying receiver,or mostly any keyboard+mouse combo that connects by one receiver, then only a standard OTG cable should work.
I've seen a lot of discussion on using an android device as an extended monitor for a PC, but I'd acutally like the go the other way, using a monitor as an extended display for my GS2 LTE. I've got the MHL adaptor that lets me mirror what's on my phone onto any screen with an HDMI input, but what i'd like to do is be able to use the monitor as the primary display, and then use my phone as a touchpad and pair my phone with a bluetooth keyboard. This way, I would effectively be able to use my phone as a portable workstation, with the phone screen as a touch pad and an external monitor as the display.
anyone know if this can be done?
Hi,
Saturday I had some time to open the HDMI dock (for Galaxy Tab 7) and mod it to have alternative power input.
After that I was able to use the HDMI output and USB host at same time. The setup is:
- HDMI out for Samsung TV
- wireless USB keyboard
- external HDD connected with a powered HUB
In this setup I was able to use the keyboard and video files from external HDD while watching on TV screen.
The only problem is that the "MTP Application" notification is still there and the tablet is not full powered from external power supply, it discharges slowly the battery.
After some investigation I've seen that on the original charger there seems to be some resistors between USB lines and Vusb and GND. If I connect the original charger (not inserted on power outlet) the tablet is full powered and the MTP Application is not displayed (when I put the tablet in dock). After that if I remove the cable and insert the USB host cable everything is OK and tablet is full powered with USB host and HDMI working.
The docking is powered with 5V/2A PDA DC adapter.
When I'll open the dock again I will make some picture.
Your are welcome for questions and suggestions.
Emil
HOW MUCH?
Cant believe this is my first post on any message board EVER but what better reason! First i would like to know how much would u charge to make the modification for me? I would provide the dock and any other materials that u need of course. Secondly, since the dock works with ALL tab variants(PERSONALLY ONLY TESTED WITH P1000, P7100, P6200, P6210 BUT 99% CERTAIN), u might want to post your development in every other versions forum. I believe this would generate a LOT more interest in this project because there actually has already been a few threads created in which several attempts were made but no one could find the magic combo(plus it could mean a few extra bucks in your billfold!). I waited to post in hopes that u would update with pictures and/or a tutorial but still would rather you perform the actual surgery. Congratulations on accomplishing what samsung should have done from the start...a TRUE multimedia dock! I guess the only suggestion i could offer is if it were possible to actually add a few usb ports into the base of the hdmi dock itself, which is how i feel samsung should have made it originally...definitely not a priority.
Here are a few reference threads if interested & i've already provided a link in each one pointing to your original post for those interested (hope u dont mind!)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1610832
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1155065
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1149442
Sorry, but I can't do this for you.... It's complicated.
Now I work to found a solution to put an USB connector on the dock and to put a power connector to.
The big problem is that the tab enters on MTP mod when powered this way. As described on other threads there is a way with USB lines to activate full external power.
When I'll have a full modification dock I'll put some pictures and instruction for that.
waiting for pics and further info please...
Galaxy Tab Dock modified
Now I have a full functional dock, modified.
So, after receiving the Galaxy Tab Plus media dock from ebay I've found that I can change the tab fixing part with the one on the old Galaxy Tab Dock.
So, now I have old Galaxy Tab multimedia dock full compatible with my Galaxy Tab Plus.
Then I modified the dock to include standard power jack and standard miniusb connector for OTG.
The USB Host is powered from the external power supply, this helps to not discharge the battery when using tab and slow charging.
I made some pictures with details for connections and modification.
You can view at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/buzdumil/sets/72157630734690786
There was some work to do...is not very easy. The best thing that can be done is to make a PCB. That PCB, at in my pictures, could be fixed near metal weight. Also there the clips of the case need to be cut, but there is no problem because at same position exist screws for fixing.
The problem with MTP application started when power connected or tab inserted on dock remains. But now is easier to use external HDD, usb keyboard & mouse and television to watch movies.
That's amazing, Emil! That's the dock accessory Samsung should have sold in the first place. After looking over your pictures, I'm ready to go order a soldering iron and get to work!
Hi emil b just letting you know i was playing around with my dock and found how to get rid of the red x from when power is applyd.
First connect power and get red x....
Then disconect the earth and re connect it again..
This forces AC Charge mode...
No resisters or shorting data lines are needed..
So good for being in host mode...
All you need to do is put a on/off switch inline on the earth
Where you supplied power to the dock.
Doesnt need to be inside the dock..
Give it a try and let me know...
Just have to play with it and hit switch a couple of times...
Im looking at all options concerning the modification of this dock. One question that comes to mind is: If I only use the red and blackwires to send power to the USB connector, will I still be able to use the OEM 30 power connector??
OP, I am going to attempt to make this modification myself. Would you be able to provide any additional instructions/suggestions to the pictures up on Flickr?
Thanks,
cypher
mr_esmit said:
Im looking at all options concerning the modification of this dock. One question that comes to mind is: If I only use the red and blackwires to send power to the USB connector, will I still be able to use the OEM 30 power connector??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No because the origonal charger has the resisters on the data lines...
you are better to add just power to pin 7(9) and earth to pin (1)30..
then add a otg dongle..
Hey,
I yesterday bought a WD My Passport Ultra Portable 1TB External Hard Disc keeping in mind that I be able to connect it to my tab 2. After I got the HD I used my OTG Cable to connect my HD to the Tab ( I Already Formatted the HD to FAT32 ) and after connecting the OTG cable to Tab and HD the LED on my HD glows for a second and then Turns off. After the LED turns off my tab shows a message in the Notification bar Removed SD Card Something like that. Please Note that I am using WD MY PASSPORT ULTRA 2.5inch 1TB External hard drive, As it's says that it doesn't need an External power supply
Please Help me with your Suggestions how can I connect the HD to my tab?
Thanks in advance.. :good:
This happens because the tablet don`t provide enough power to the HDD, if you are on stock ROM, there should be a notification about "high power device" or something like that. I have the same issue with my HDD and 3G Dongle.
You can try with the battery fully charged or with a powered USB hub.
The Loko said:
This happens because the tablet don`t provide enough power to the HDD, if you are on stock ROM, there should be a notification about "high power device" or something like that. I have the same issue with my HDD and 3G Dongle.
You can try with the battery fully charged or with a powered USB hub.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am Running CM 11. something like that appeared once when I was on stock rom and tried to connect a USB joystick and it showed me that that message
Anyways now I think I need to spend some more bucks for a power hub
OTG Harddrive
beingawesome said:
Hey,
I yesterday bought a WD My Passport Ultra Portable 1TB External Hard Disc keeping in mind that I be able to connect it to my tab 2. After I got the HD I used my OTG Cable to connect my HD to the Tab ( I Already Formatted the HD to FAT32 ) and after connecting the OTG cable to Tab and HD the LED on my HD glows for a second and then Turns off. After the LED turns off my tab shows a message in the Notification bar Removed SD Card Something like that. Please Note that I am using WD MY PASSPORT ULTRA 2.5inch 1TB External hard drive, As it's says that it doesn't need an External power supply
Please Help me with your Suggestions how can I connect the HD to my tab?
Thanks in advance.. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it's as much a power problem as Android doesn't support anything but fat32 natively. If you have an older win98 computer, you could fdisk it to fat32, and read the full 1 TB. but android will only write to a 32gb fat32 disk. An option would be connect the drive to a
windows xp or newer computer and use OBEX Commander on windows with bluetooth to move files to the Tab via bluetooth, but it's slow.
Hi guys. Is there an app out there that makes it possible to connect an external USB flash drive or 2.5" drive to the shield tab via its USB port?
I'm pretty sure you just do, and you'll be good. Strangely I've never had any problems using an OTG USB drive with the Shield. That's what you'd be looking for, by the way... Am OTG cable.
One quick thing to note is, be prepared to need to power the hard drive. The tablet may not have enough juice to power a full hard drive. So if you plug it in and it isn't recognized, try a powered USB hub.
Secondly, make sure you have ES file explorer.
I use a WD ultra passport portable 1tb drive and a otg cable.
I just plug in, open ES file explorer an get what I need an unmount an disconnect.
You'll lose a few percent of battery potential as expected.
WR
Thanks guys. I'm honestly shocked this actually works. I tried it with my WD passport laptop drive and low and behold it works flawlessly. With the research I did in the past with my HTC EVDO 3D, and reading all the comments on various messageboards, I really thought connecting USB HDDs to any Android device would not work. Does it work in this instance mainly because the device is a Shield Tablet? Or is it only because I'm rooted, and as a result any rooted Android device will allow USB HDDs to be used?
OTG and enough power
It just works if your (android) device has an On the Go (OTG) USB connector AND if it gives enough power to your (hard) drive. If there isn't enough power, you need a Y OTG cable and external power source. Many smartphones do not provide the 500mA at 5V they should provide, but tablets usually give enough from my experience.