Help with unlocked, unbranded tablet (no root) - General Questions and Answers

I have an unbranded tablet running Android 2.3.4 that is unlocked but not rooted (I can't get superuser to work or busy box to install) that I trying to do some hardware/OS related work with and need help. In specific, I am trying to get a USB keypad to work (recognizes keypad but keys do random things and doesn't really work). I believe this requires some ICS libraries (official support added in ICS). I am also having difficulty getting the unit to find a GPS lock using a 3g network (no on board GPS support, but it should be able to find a rough lock using 3g and/or wifi and I don't know why it isn't). In general the hardware is decent but the software is buggy crap, making what could be a decent device crap. I also need some of the default functions for the onboard buttons changed (I think this is build.prop?) We have a kinda random and specific use for these tablets and I have hunted all over for someone to help me and have found a lot of JAVA programmers and not true blue linux/android hardware devs. I understand this is such a specific piece of hardware and unfortunately the work we do won't be able to be shared by a lot of people. If anyone can help me though, I will gladly donate to their cause and/or buy them a few cups of coffee. I would also perhaps be willing to let you keep one of the tablets to play with (they're actually pretty cool). If this is something you can help me with PM me and we can go from there. I am in Dallas, so someone near by wouldn't hurt! Thanks!
PS Please let me know if I have broken any XDA rules here. I have 3 cell phones and a rooted nook color, so needless to say I'd rather not get banned...

Related

Virtual Laser KeyBoard Support

I was wondering if anyone has experience in Virtual Laser key boards such as i-Techs VKB?
http://www.amazon.com/iTech-Bluetooth-Virtual-Keyboard/dp/B00142C4O8
If so, are they compatible with our phones?
I am slowly moving towards using my phone as a full mobile PC. I would like to be as productive as possible and having a full size key board would be monumental... especially when editing documents. Sure, a laptop would be the best bet but this is the future.
As a side note, I would also like to note that this is why the iPad is a step back. Technology should be getting smaller, not bigger. You can see this with the invention of micro-projectors (google "Sixth Sense Project") or the paper-thin, clear, flexible LCD displays that are emerging. I don't want to load around some cumbersome device like the iPad or even a netbook. Smart phones are the future!
/rant
Anyway, if the laser keyboard is not compatible can someone point me in the right direction for any type of key board... preferably one that rolls up or something.
Thanks!
Found this that should work for you:
https://barbourelectronicstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=6
I see no reason why it would not work. Does our phone support a normal bluetooth keyboard?
Those keyboard are not great. They have a hard time keeping track of everything.
So even if you get it working, it will only kinda sorta work.
...Come to think of it, I'm going to try to sync a bluetooth keyboard we have in the shop right now.
Edit: Dell has neglected to give me the passkey to pair the keyboard. No dice.
Dell won't give you the pass key? Shouldn't it be a set standard for that model? I figured it would be on the website of the manufacturer under the support section.
outcome69 said:
Dell won't give you the pass key? Shouldn't it be a set standard for that model? I figured it would be on the website of the manufacturer under the support section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm trying to use a Model Number: Y-RAQ-DEL2 keyboard.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/acc/P109356/en/index.htm
It comes with a reciever which pair it automatically to PC's. It can also be paired with laptops that have built in modules because the computers generates the Passkey and you eneter it on the Keyboard.
Our phones, however, don't generate one but instead ask for the Keyboard Passkey itself.
I chatted with Dell to get it, they told me to call wireless tech support. I called wireless tech support and they said the passkey has to be "0000". This does not work, however. The guy was an idiot. He was obviously reading off of a screen. There must be a shared code between the Dell BT reciever and the Keyboard that I can find use to pair the device.
Ugh.
It won't work. Even if you get it to pair, no current ROM or kernel known to exist as of this moment supports HID, and the commercial BT keyboard driver in Market (which supports SPP) doesn't work on the Hero.
As far as the PIN goes (when/if it ever becomes possible to use a BT keyboard on our phones), try this:
* Make the keyboard discoverable
* Tell the phone to scan
* When the phone finds the keyboard, try setting the PIN on the keyboard by pressing 4 digit keys then enter/return. That seems to be the way most of them work.
Unlike mice and gamepads, most (newer) keyboards WON'T allow you to pair as 0000 due to the risk of password interception.
if you are looking to go completely remote, i would advice waiting for the evo. snapdragon+gi.s.+a sd card and hdmi connectivity and whats sure to be our native sense experience in a fully functioning 2.1 playing ground that will have more than enuff support or what should be simple. things such as bt (...AND THE KICKSTAND) i think it will be your most likely option to suceed. good luck, i like my laptop.
Update: it turns out, there IS a driver to use bluetooth HID keyboards with Android -- BlueInput (teksoftco.com). Unsurprisingly, it doesn't work (yet) on the Hero, either
This has gotten me wondering... Has anyone figured out WHY nothing Bluetooth-related besides audio seems to work on the Hero (compared to other Android phones that don't seem to be similarly-afflicted)?
Is it a case of distros like DamageControl having kernels with BlueZ 3.x compiled in when apps like BlueInput(HID) and KeyPro(SPP) need 4.x, or vice-versa?
Has anyone with the background knowledge necessary to build a 2.6.29 Hero kernel from scratch and troubleshoot bluetooth problems even looked at the way the kernel is getting built for distros like DamageControl? It seems like right now, nobody even knows whether this is something as trivial as a bad option at build time, or a problem that's huge and hopeless.
Sigh. It's times like this that I really hate Sprint for not letting us have R-UIM cards. I seriously think SIM cards are a major part of the reason why we (CDMA users) seem to have so many kernel-level problems that GSM Android users don't. They can just swap SIMs, and experiment all weekend if they like without metaphorically leaving their phones "off the hook" in the meantime.
I am betting those features where compiled out of our kernel. It should be easy to put them back in but then the question is will it work with the hardware... and we all know from the camera that that isn't a given.
fatkitty420 said:
...Come to think of it, I'm going to try to sync a bluetooth keyboard we have in the shop right now.
Edit: Dell has neglected to give me the passkey to pair the keyboard. No dice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
passkey is 0000 noob
scirio said:
passkey is 0000 noob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Open mouth insert foot
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=6103433&postcount=7
I chatted with Dell to get it, they told me to call wireless tech support. I called wireless tech support and they said the passkey has to be "0000". This does not work, however. The guy was an idiot. He was obviously reading off of a screen. There must be a shared code between the Dell BT reciever and the Keyboard that I can find use to pair the device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm. Has anyone ever tried taking a distro like DamageControl and using it with a scratch-built kernel known to have been compiled with everything BlueZ-related included and enabled? From the research I've done, it looks like we kind of have a catch-22 situation:
* All of the popular 2.1 distros seem to be using the same signed kernel. If that kernel's bluetooth support is dysfunctional, everything that relies on it for bluetooth will be dysfunctional as well.
* In theory, AOSP should be easy to experiment with bluetooth on... but NONE of the AOSP builds seem to really support bluetooth at all. At least, more than maybe being able to limp along with handsfree+headset mono. It seems to be kind of a vicious cycle -- most of the support apps needed to implement bluetooth and make it work aren't opensource, so the leaders (in a very oldschool Debian-like way) want nothing to do with them, even if it means doing without it entirely in the meantime. But since there are no ripped apps to bootstrap bluetooth support with until replacements can be written, nobody has any real incentive to work on tweaking the kernel to make them work... and since there's no real bluetooth support overall, anyone who really CARES about bluetooth (and would otherwise be the most motivated to work on improving it) shows up, looks around, and runs for the door. Oh, and the fact that even AOSP still has to deal with mystery binary blobs, because most of the HeroC's actual hardware is itself proprietary to Qualcomm and unavailable to peons like us (who merely own a phone that uses their chips).
I really wish I knew enough about both Bluetooth and the Linux kernel in general to try troubleshooting it myself, but realistically I'm still a long way from achieving that goal. I've learned a lot over the past month, but so far the only visible light in the tunnel is coming from the phone's backlight ;-)
Htc has not released source for the .29 kernel, so no one can really modify it. Maybe the .27 in the overclocked roms if you could convince a dev to help out.
Sent from my HERO200 using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
Htc has not released source for the .29 kernel, so no one can really modify it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
(palm hits forehead)
Oh god, I completely forgot about that. We don't actually have the actual 2.6.29 source yet. I got so caught up in the 2.1 celebrations a month or so ago that I totally forgot about that important little detail
here is a 1.5 kernel that says it has usb hosting. But requires doing a little extra for the drivers.
http://forum.androidcentral.com/51730-post2.html

Should I, shouldn't I

Hi folks,
I'm thinking of picking up the galaxy s, the samsung vibrant from t-mobile to use on my carrier.
i had a few questions and hope you fellas can help me out.
1st, what would be involved in unlocking it? Would I have any problems getting it unlocked?
Also i'm a total noob to android but i've been reading up. What exactly is "rooting"? will rooting allow me to put a stock 2.2 on it? is that even possible and is it recomended on this phone?
and lastly from people who have been using this phone, do you recommend getting it?
thanks
oh snap! i posted this in the wrong board. it should have been in the "Galaxy S I9000 General"
sorry mods.
Rooting allows you to get access to parts of the phone you otherwise wouldn't have access to. Compare it to having administrator rights on windows, you can access more files, do more stuff. Programs can perform more actions when your phone is rooted.
Putting 2.2 on it is completely seperate from that and at this moment is not possible. However, Samsung already stated that the first 2.2 update will be somewhere in august (not for euro/usa regions though) so perhaps withing the month after that it will also be available for other regions. Samsung has officially announced that it WILL be updated though, so no need to worry about that.
Without the 2.2 update it's already pretty damn fast though (with some tweaks its faster then the Nexus one WITH 2.2) so I would certainly already recommend it.
This is my first android phone (after symbian, windows mobile and more) and it's really easy to get used to and works just great. The screen is beautiful (good colors, vibrant although reading text on it is a less great experience) and it's very fast. Also feels light, in a good way, great screen, etc. I can totally recommend it.
ps. No idea what the status on unlocking is, mine was unlocked already so never looked into it.
you might want to make sure the frequency bands of the one you acquire will work on the carrier you want to use it on
if not, it may not work at all, or may not give you 3G data svc
personally i didnt think any phones are locked down anymore, at least not in the UK?
you should buy the phone, its the best ive owned, not saying its the best on the market but id like to hear of an arguement for why it isnt.
rooting was done on this device even before release, and with already 300k sales in south korea alone it looks like its going to have some great support and updates in the future

[Q] Tablet WITHOUT WIFI or Bluetooth

I would like to find a tablet that does not have wireless capabilities built in. This would include 3G (or any cell service), WIFI, Bluetooth, or even Infra-Red!
I work in an area where devices with ANY wireless capability built in are not allowed. It is not enough to simply turn them off.
So, I am looking for a tablet that does not have these wireless capabilities built in.
Any suggestions are appreciated!
I am also interested in the answer to this.
I don't think there is such a device. And if there is, it's probably a very old tablet that was made before any of these technologies were created for tablets.
The market for wireless-less tablets is so small that it's very unlikely that anyone will make them. Removing WiFi and bluetooth for a handful of people is just too expensive.
close it maybe the best way.
I'm think...
Out of interest, how would they know?
Most tablets have an Airplane Mode which will disable all wireless functionality.
Or you could root it and remove the drivers..
not worth losing the job on not being up front... it would lead to questions of a lack of integrity...
Have a dev build a ROM for you . Im sure someone would be happy to help if you were to donate for their help and time.
Sent from my SCH-I800 using XDA App
I think you'll be hard pressed to find anything main-stream that doesn't include all of those.
What if approached the power-that-be and present them with the idea of a disabled tablet where all of the drivers are removed? If they agree that is a solution you can then see about getting one of the Devs to build you the ROM as jtipton79 mentioned above.
Anyone find one can you PLEASE CONTACT ME ???
I have develop EMF and can't STAND WIFI, BLUETOOTH or ANYTHING WIRELESS ((((
YES, it SUCKS to me be (((, I know, but I just can't stand it.
So, if ANYONE on here READ this and find out, please please please let me know.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH !!!
[email protected]
Buy a 2nd generation nexus 7. Open it and remove the internal connectivity chip. Buy an external wifi adapter and use it at home.
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nexus+7+2nd+Generation+Teardown/16072
http://w11.zetaboards.com/Pwnie_Express/topic/9053422/1/ the first post has a nice little tutorial for this card:
http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/cat-11_TL-WN722N.html

[Q] phone newbie questions

I have never owned a cell phone before (yeah, I'm one of the last three who never has), and now am wanting to buy one. My preference is Android. I have some questions about this whole space:
* I don't want a contract. Is it generally true that I can buy any unlocked phone, and a prepaid SIM from Amazon or somewhere, and use them together?
* I'm old (early 60's) and have some generational cultural differences from many (but not all) of you that grew up with and accept social networking. Specifically, I have a zero tolerance policy towards my phone leaking ANY data, under any situation, and a zero tolerance policy for any outside control of the device. That is to say, I will not accept remote updates of software, nor any software which "phones home". I will only accept a phone that is 100% under my control. This seems to create complications, even under Android. If I run a custom firmware such as CM7, is this a goal that I can reasonably achieve? Perhaps with a local firewall on the device?
* I want to use the GPS for wilderness hiking, specifically, to retrace my (approximate) path in the unlikely event I become lost. Is the onboard GPS on phones adequate for such a purpose? I don't need meter-accuracy, but 10 or 15m accuracy would be nice, along with software that would sample my position every (say) 60 seconds and overlay this on a map that MUST be stored locally on the device. I will be out of cell tower range.
* These devices can carry a lot of data, but this seems dangerous on a device that may be lost or stolen. I know there can be a numeric code to unlock the device, but that provides no real security in practice. Is it possible for me to use encryption at the block level with a filesystem on an SD card? Conceptually, I want to mount that card through an encrypted loopback device, with a timeout that will unmount it after a period of inactivity. Possible?
* Specific phones: I liked the LG2X, but it seems many people have big problems with it. I liked the Sensation, but it has a locked bootloader -> nonstarter. So I'm looking at the Mytouch 4G. How big a limitation is GSM in practice, within the continental US?
* When 802.11 is available, will I be able to use my existing VOIP provider instead of a cell network to make voice calls?
Thanks for any help that anyone might give a complete phone newbie.
Is there perhaps a more suitable forum for me to ask "hey, I've never even owned a cell phone before" type questions? If someone could point me to a better place to ask my clueless questions, that'd be wonderful.
Maybe you will buy HTC HD2?
It's a good phone for start, and it has all of the things what you need
Thanks Rafal.Sw, but that seems to be a Windows Mobile phone, and I'd prefer to stick with open source operating systems.
In any case, I'm more after information here than specific phone recommendations. Thanks for your reply though.
But you can always install android on this Phone, i have it and it's wonderful for me
The specific phone model is really not my primary question. I'm looking for information on my questions above, or failing that, a place more appropriate for novices to ask such things.
Thanks...
Research is key. Search button is your friend and essential. friendly reminder as always
Yes unlocked GSM devices are able to connect to a compatible carrier / sim card. For instance I have an unlocked GSM from att but i hate contracts and burning a hole in my pocket. So.. i went to best buy and grabbed an h2o sim kit and poppeed. It in VOILA. Service= no contract = more money. Of course there are plenty others. With different. Pre paid plans. That's just one of many i use.
Alot of these devices will work around the world ESPECIALLY an unlocked GSM device. Of course they will have to have the WORLD phone type basebands. To achieve this if traveling the world.
GPS has come along way since eclair, and is getting signifucally better all the time. However this really depends on your device and its hardware/software When you see a phone you like find the oppropriate forum and thread and learn about that device. Here on xda.
As far as security with android its great and getting better and better. They stay up to date with the latest. The biggest RISK/ ONLY common are with an OPEN all wifi access connection. Also The problem lies when someone( the user) puts bad apps or pirate apps and files in the device making it vulnerable.
To keep data safe on your phone can be achieved in a number of ways, to name a couple, numerous locks can be applied on apps files even before the device boots up, there are also apps that will wipe every thing on your device if lost or stolen by using your computer to control it. Also apps that will track your phone so you can find it
I to are very strict on the control of my device and with that there are great apps with the kind of extra protection you look for ex. Firewalls, malwate spyware blockers etc. There is no need to unmiunt an SD card. Do you take out your harddrive on your computer when not in USE? "Rhetorical "
CM7 is built AOSP from the ground up. They are in no way or have anything to do with the carrier or its original manufacture. Its totally custom build. Extremely knowledgeable developers who take pride in their work for all of us for free. This is not for your average user. These builds are still in ongoing development and not available for every device. However these builds are very stable for and a daily driver
YES YOU CAN, For VOIP calls, there are apps for that and I've used it for a couple years now, alot of devices can and have already support it, and takes a litle tinkering to get them to work. Now days the Devices coming out have VOIP already ready for setup out of the box. With easy setup
If you want the the best bang for your Buck,
Samsung Galaxy S 2. Is what i recommend. It's truly the best of the best. Along with EVO 3d. And Motorola D3
Sent from SGS Captivate CM7 or MIUI with Escapist orTKGlitch using XDA premium app.
Search button is your friend and essential
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
<nod> I've done some, but there are things I can't quite find anyone discussing, like the use of GPS for wilderness hiking, or the details of block level encryption.
I agree with you 100% about contracts. I'm not sure why they're so popular. They seem more expensive overall, and less flexible.
There is no need to unmiunt an SD card. Do you take out your harddrive on your computer when not in USE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, no, but I don't carry the whole machine around in my pocket, either. Somehow the only thing I really trust to keep my data secure is encryption, but then there's this issue of how long the data stays decrypted. You have to be able to use it, but if you lose the device, no one else should be able to see it.
CM7 is built AOSP from the ground up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, which is why I'd trust it more than the carrier supplied software. I'm pretty much restricting my device choices to ones that CM7 supports, which does rule out several otherwise attractive phones.
Thanks - the Galaxy S2 does look interesting. Is it supported by CM7? Their "devices" page only lists the Galaxy S.
Thanks for the insights, rwells813!
YES, Samsung has sent a SGS2 over to an Cm7 dev. To play with. So i assume in do time it will be a supported mainline. I believe he has test builds for it already . I haven't tried them yet with mine yet. I stick with one dev. Phone at a time. My captivate is the Guinea. Pig. Good luck mate.
Sent from SGS Captivate CM7 or MIUI with Escapist orTKGlitch using XDA premium app.

Several general yet specific questions I need help with

Hey guys, I've got a few general questions about my Android phone, the Motorola Atrix. I've had it for about 3 weeks now, and there are a few things I'd like to more fully understand. I'm an electronics tech for a company that makes RC vehicles, and would like to get these 2 merged together at some point, but more on that later
Currently I keep running in to all kinds of "gotchas!" with this phone, and have cursed it plenty of times. I usually find a workaround, but some things are still not to my liking, and I am pretty sure it can be done.
Let me start off saying this phone is not rooted or anything, but thats only because I have not gotten a straight answer from anyone on how to do it, since I have the newest version of the OS. I really cant afford to brick it beyond my own repair. Here are the software versions:
System Version:4.5.91.MB860.ATT.en.US
Model Number: MB860
Android Version: 2.3.4
Baseband Version: N_01.77.30P
Webtop Version: WT-1.2.0-110
Kernel Version: 2.6.32.9-00001-g41bc3e0
Build Number: 4.5.91
So I guess first off, anyone know how to go about rooting this bad boy? Its my understanding that rooting enables you to have full access to the OS, including, but not limited to, uninstalling all the junk apps that come from the factory/ATT. One of my biggest gripes so far!
Next, I would like to be able to access the Webtop feature via the HDMI cable. Not because I am too cheap to buy the Motorola one, but because I want to make a custom one. I know its been done, and I have seen plenty of threads on how to do it, but its my understanding that I cant do it with this version of the OS. What might be even easier is does anyone know what makes the phone distinguish between the included HDMI cable, home, and car dock? I'm betting its something as simple as a resistor.
Stemming from the above, does anyone know if it is possible to connect another touch screen device to the phone wired or wirelessly and control the phone that way?
Does anyone know where to find a complete spec sheet for this phone, including all the hardware (gyro meter, accelerometer, etc).
A couple other questions I'm just going to throw in this thread instead of making a new one are:
1. Can someone point me in the direction about how to write apps for the Android OS.
2. Does anyone know if Motorola or Google accepts formal reports on their devices from regular users, and how do you get associated with that?
3. After rooting my phone (assuming its even possible), are there other custom versions of OS out there?
Thanks in advance guys, I'm sure I'll be around for a while. I'd like to know this thing in and out so I can really see what its capable of.

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