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Adding a Hard Disk to XDA2 for music!

Hello everyone - my first post here.
It occured to me that if we could make the XDA2 talk to a hard disk we could fit a big drive in the car and then use the power connector to create communication between the pda and the drive.
Is this possible?
We'd need a new skin for the windows media player with huge simple, finger sized buttons to press to access the different folders and tracks. We would also need a pair of phono outs to go into the car hifi audio input.
Also it would be nice to have a hardware button which would fire everything up so the sequence would be : get in car, clip xda into holder and hit a button. Then you've got 120gb worth of music at your fingertips and if you've got wifi card in there you can take data from your house pc wirelessly and store it on the car's hdd!!! Just awesome.
Any ideas how hard this would be. I would be prepared to pay for development because as a car audio shop owner (www.audiolectrics.co.uk if you are interested!) I reckon we could sell these systems as PDA's like XDA are just phenomenal units - I have had mine now for a week or so and am just bowled over by it!!

the skins in the windows media website are huge enough to use it with your fingers.
or you can try the latest PocketMusic which rocks

Good stuff but how could I add a hard disc drive to it using only the pin outs for usb in the lower charging connector?

Actually I have a sneaky suspicion that the XDA2 won't function as a usb host which is a big problem.
Any ideas? Its' odd because obviously it works 2 way comms when active sync-ing.

HD in the XDA II
The festesting way to adding a HD in the XDA II.
http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/index.php?action=expand,27981

Yes but this is not convenient since you've got to keep taking the xda out of its case.
No, what I need is a wireless hard drive the xda can talk to or a way of making the xda a usb2 host.
Nobody got any ideas?

AHA!!!!
Had a sneaky idea.
What if I buy a backpack and insert a RATOC Compact flash USB host adaptor and plug this into a huuuuuuge USB drive.
Then, make up a cable that connects the xda2 to the BACKPACK which will be hidden out of sight in the car - I presume the XDA talks to the backpack via only the ordinary connectors.
I presume it isn't possible to make a lead up that would connect to a compact flash usb host WITHOUT the backpack - ie that the backpack contains some circuitry?

OK This will work for sure.
I just need someone to photograph the backpack connector where it joins the unit so I can get an idea of the engineering needed.

And one more thing - can I get proper sound output from the main connector of the unit rather than the headphone jack?

it would work if the drivers work ok i suppose
about the audio then all you should need is the connector pin out of xda2 somebody gave them once try search

Seems like there are few individuals actively pursuing this idea. See thread below :
http://softwareforums.intel.com/ids/board/message?board.id=43&message.id=84

There is also at least one Bluetooth harddisk solution
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=HOPBIT
I recently saw an announcement for a similar product using Wifi instead of Bluetooth. This could be an easier option. Simpply bring the XDAII to your car with the SDIO WiFi card in it and pull the files via WiFi from the Storage Server (err... harddisk)...

OK!
Asus are just about to release their wireless Hard Disk drive! This will have an ftp style interface that will allow password encryption etc so this job looks simple with one of these!
Can anyone help with getting the windows media player sound out on the main connector?

hd
i recently baught a usb 2.0 laptop hard drive case its 2.5 inches small enough to try and convert it to use on the xda2 see link
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/cablesonline/usb2025inlah.html

Yup. Managed to find a reference to this WiFi disc enclosure. Sounds like this will do the job nicely!!!
http://www.asus.com/news/2004/20040311.htm

So Mr Hobbit - we've still got to get XDA2 to talk to the USB though without the backpack for car useage.
This is where the WIFI disk comes in. Chuck it under a seat and feed it juice and hay preso 10000 songs accessible from your XDA control panel.
I love it.
Still need the audio pin outs on the main connector though?
Anyone?

after a quick search in the forum
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=3929&highlight=bluetooth+mp3

thanks for that - must admit i don't fully understand what the definitive pin outs are! Could you translate into english for me!! Much appreciated in advance......(!)

I have another Suggestion for the Connection of a Hard Drive to your XDA.
How about connecting up an Ethernet Harddisk such as the one below to a WIFI Access unit or router ( these usually have a 4 port Ethernet Hub built in ) which will be installed permanently in the car ( wired through 12v/240inverter )
http://www.softjam.co.uk/products/index.php?prodref=CU-XIMMNE1040&timestmp=1085611877282
This should enable you to access this harddisk over WIFI with the XDA+SD Wifi card?
You`ll then also be able to upload music to your cars Hardisk jukebox whilst its parked on your driveway.
This is what I plan to try anyway ( except I`ll probably add the Backpack so that I can Stream Divx movies from the HardDisk over the Wifi through the XDA2 through the backpage out the VGA Out into my Alpine 7" motorised display ) Fingers Crossed Tomtom will display on the screen also??? we shall see.
I still have to come up with a solution for the sound though as the mini jack is just too arkward.

personal wifi ap
Hi Guys
The network hard drive looks like a great idea..... combined with one of these http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=112376 youve got as much portable storage as you could want.

[Q] Android device cluster, networking or screen sharing

In short: Is it possible to cluster, network or push device output from one device to another, share storage devices and network/gps interfaces?
The long version: I have been wanting to build an in-car device that would store media and act as a gps and what not, but haven't found a way that I want to implement it yet. I was thinking if I found a x86 port of android, got most of the voice stuff working, I could have a headless device that I could store music on and use as navigation. I know the phones are capable of that, but if I want to keep say 500 gb of music on me, how does one do that?
My thoughts were if it were possible to either cluster or network an installed android powered unit to an android powered phone, I could always have network access from the unit in the car and share the gps from the phone, or have the phone access the storage from the device (not through dlna, but the music app seeing it as physical storage) and allow me to push the output from the in car device to the phone and let me interact with the system how ever I need to I could accomplish a form of in-car entertainment.
I figured that there could be apps written that would let the in-car device act as a headless unit, with its only interface being audio, it could store navigation directions/maps and what not, so if I didn't have the phone that day, I could still navigate to where I needed to. The phone and the device could constantly be in communication with each other if the car was parked by a wifi hotspot or something, so if I chose to navigate somewhere when I was at home, the car would already have the directions. I could also have it pull any media changes through wifi, and always have an updated media library.
I know the phones are fully capable of doing this, but for most of it, you have to have a window holster for the car to use the gps, and wires running for audio and charging and what not, but if there were a way that the in-car device could be hardwired to the audio system and left alone, the phone could stay in my pocked, be linked via bluetooth and I could have a small button-pad or something that would allow me to initiate google voice search, control the media player and interact with navigation. The whole thing with linking the phone and device together would be so the mobile network could be shared between android devices and the incar device could pull the information it needed. The thought of the display sharing was in case I needed to interact with the incar device.
I know what I am going on about is specific to me, but my thoughts behind it were if it were possible to do at least the network sharing (with out tethering or mobile hot spot blah blah blah) that android phone and tablet owners could do the same thing. They could share their mobile network through their tablet and have a tablet that would be always connected, would share mailboxes with the phone and basically act the way the Blackberry playbook is proposed or how the Palm Foleo was supposed to work. If the devices had a network ability of some level, the tablet could pull text messages, email messages, contacts or any other sync-able item.. That way, this wouldn't just be done for my benefit, but it would take tablet and phone owners to another league. Two devices that share the same information from one source and don't have to sync with the same servers twice. It would take a lot of redundancy out.
I hope you guys can see usefulness in my idea, and can shed some light for me.

Sorry from bringing this back from the dead, but since I never got any responses I'll add a bit more..
Does android have anything that would work like blackberry bridge between two android devices?

Droid Vnc server and androidvnc works fine for screen sharing. What I really like is the hpc aspects to CPU cycle sharing over wifi/nfc. Really interesting possibilities.

What I am looking for is to have the ability to use two separate android devices, but have them communicate via wifi/bluetooth or what ever and act as the same device in the sense that when the device with the data plan gets a text message or phone call, the notification goes through the other device that would be physically docked to audio equipment or what ever...
I have a Droid X, Droid Incredible, Droid Pro and a first gen Droid laying around.. Currently the Droid Pro is my in use phone.. The rest are just laying here. I want to be able to dock one of the others in my car, turn the GPS on, link it to my droid pro and have the other phone use the droid pro's active data connection for guidance/searches etc, and it would be docked to car audio, so it would need to access the pro's sd card, and have access to the pro's phone audio, or the ability to route calls from the pro to the other device via bluetooth or whatever, not by call forwarding.. This way it would be a sort of infotainment/telematics system..
Think of the possibilities this would open up for android tablets etc. If You could reply to text messages from your tablet because the tablet is linked/bridged to the phone in your pocket... That would make these tablet/laptop combos more appealing because it would the perfect convergence between tablet and phone.

Oh, and I guess, the other thing is that I have multiple cars, so one device would go in each car, and then when I got in the car, the one in that car would link with my phone, and everything would be the same, car to car, or device to device...

I guess another way to bump this:
Would it be possible for an app to do ADB to ADB via bluetooth or something, because then an app could be written like pdanet that would allow the network to be shared at least?

I dont remember the name of the app I think the name of it is Dashboard? and it will store/push all texts/emails etc. to every device u have dashboard installed on...Best buy has an app kinda like that too...Like the Idea of the screen sharing is that kinda like remote desktop/control?

I just search how to neywork cluster android came across your post ..... if you use the Google apps like Google play music/maps as well Google hangouts since with Google voice you can easily do what you want with out the need for both devices being together you can upload 50000 songs 9n play music for free and any device with ur hangouts and voice will receive ur calls and email notifications .....just need to make sure have Internet

[Q] Trusted Bluetooth device

Hello everyone, just moved from a Nexus 5 and enjoying many of the unique features, one thing that interests me most is the ability to unlock the phone with a trusted Bluetooth device. I already have a fitbit, so was hoping I could use this, however it turns out you can't, I think it is due to the way Bluetooth 4 is designed to minimise battery drain and it therefore not always connected. I was wondering what other people use , other than say speakers and headphones. I know Motorola have a device planned, but hasn't been released yet.

Thunder_Bolt said:
Hello everyone, just moved from a Nexus 5 and enjoying many of the unique features, one thing that interests me most is the ability to unlock the phone with a trusted Bluetooth device. I already have a fitbit, so was hoping I could use this, however it turns out you can't, I think it is due to the way Bluetooth 4 is designed to minimise battery drain and it therefore not always connected. I was wondering what other people use , other than say speakers and headphones. I know Motorola have a device planned, but hasn't been released yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HX550 earpeace is the only thing I have used. The Moto 360 is the coolest option - but an expensive one. I understand the new micro power-bank is like your fitbit and doesn't do the trick.

I actually have the Power Pack Micro that I use as a trusted device. Works perfectly!

Thanks for the replies, I never knew about the power pack micro, think that is what I will go for, hopefully Motorola will release it in the UK soon.

I connected mine to my desktop PC. Tried it for a bit and it was a cool idea, except that when connected to it the sound would go through the headsets plugged in to the PC. If I tried disabling the audio connection through properties on the PC the phone would disconnect. I couldn't find a way to keep it connected without audio so I ended up removing it.
Would be nice if there was a WiFi option, then I could pair it with that. For now I guess I'll just live without.

cbsevenfifty said:
I connected mine to my desktop PC. Tried it for a bit and it was a cool idea, except that when connected to it the sound would go through the headsets plugged in to the PC. If I tried disabling the audio connection through properties on the PC the phone would disconnect. I couldn't find a way to keep it connected without audio so I ended up removing it.
Would be nice if there was a WiFi option, then I could pair it with that. For now I guess I'll just live without.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have a look at Skiplock in the play store. I have been using that in the meantime, it works much the same as the trusted devices, but also does wifi. I have it set up with my home wifi network so when my phone is in the house I don't need to put the unlock code into the phone, does Bluetooth as well, just need to get myself one of those power pack micro now...

Advanced Keyguard Manager also let's you bypass the lockscreen based on WiFi connection.

cbsevenfifty said:
I connected mine to my desktop PC. Tried it for a bit and it was a cool idea, except that when connected to it the sound would go through the headsets plugged in to the PC. If I tried disabling the audio connection through properties on the PC the phone would disconnect. I couldn't find a way to keep it connected without audio so I ended up removing it.
Would be nice if there was a WiFi option, then I could pair it with that. For now I guess I'll just live without.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wifi trusted areas is supposed to come as part of Android L I believe.

You cant use it with your fitbit because it doesnt pair, it only uses bluetooth to sync to the app occasionally. It doesnt have anything to do with BT 4.0 afaik.
The only trusted device I use is my car.

Celeras said:
You cant use it with your fitbit because it doesnt pair, it only uses bluetooth to sync to the app occasionally. It doesnt have anything to do with BT 4.0 afaik.
The only trusted device I use is my car.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info Celeras, that makes perfect sense.

pseudopsyche said:
I actually have the Power Pack Micro that I use as a trusted device. Works perfectly!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way to quickly/easily lock the phone when using this? I'd like to do the same, but wonder about the security if someone steals both my phone and my keys -- the phone's power button won't lock the device if the trusted bluetooth is nearby.
Is it possible, for example, to use the button on the Power Pack Micro to disconnect or lock the device? Or is there some quick way to re-enable the PIN using the phone itself? It would presumably be easy with a Moto 360 or a BT headset -- just turn the BT device off, and the connection will be broken. But it's not clear that the Power Pack Micro can be turned off or disconnected without going through the Moto Connect app.
Thanks!

/dev/random said:
Is there a way to quickly/easily lock the phone when using this? I'd like to do the same, but wonder about the security if someone steals both my phone and my keys -- the phone's power button won't lock the device if the trusted bluetooth is nearby.
Is it possible, for example, to use the button on the Power Pack Micro to disconnect or lock the device? Or is there some quick way to re-enable the PIN using the phone itself? It would presumably be easy with a Moto 360 or a BT headset -- just turn the BT device off, and the connection will be broken. But it's not clear that the Power Pack Micro can be turned off or disconnected without going through the Moto Connect app.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can quickly lock the screen from the notification shade...there is a persistent notification at the top of the shade saying you're unlocked, and and if you tap it, it locks and stays locked until the next time you unlock it from the PIN/Pattern/PW lockscreen. You could also quickly unlocked it by turning off whatever device you are using as a trusted BT device. The Power Pack Micro has a power button you can turn it off with.
I've got so many things I use as Trusted Devices:
Moto 360
Moto Hint
Power Pack Micro
BT stereo headphones (Bluebuds X)
BT speakers at my work desk
BT HR monitor while at the gym
My cars Sync system
Cobra Tag - this one is really cool device, like the Power Pack it tethers your phone and lets you page it the phone if you've misplaced it, but goes one step further - if you get too far from your phone, both the phone and the Cobra Tag sound an alarm. Great for making sure you don't walk away from a restaurant or home or wherever with your keys in your pocket but the phone left behind (or vice versa). the Power Pack doesn't do that tethering alarm.
To your original concern, if someone walks off with both your BT device and your phone, you're screwed, unless you have time to get on Android Device Manager and remotely lock the phone.

Wow, you have a lot of devices, unfortunately the Motorola powerpack micro is not available in the UK yet, hopefully it will arrive soon.

How can I view and control my SG Tab 2 tablet through my SG2 phone?

Hello there,
I am trying to find use for my old devices, recently just had a bambino and im trying to keep him entertained whilst driving and its hard work. I was thinking of mounting my old SG Tab 2 tablet in the back of the car and control its functions via my old SG 2 phone in front, mainly video watching for him to be honest. My SG2 is rooted, I am currently using an S5 but I would like to stick with the older phone if possible.
I have been reading a little into using 'Tablet Remote' but as far as i gather the tablet needs to be connected to a tv.
Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

Hi,
I will have your thread moved to your device section. You will need to register on XDA to reply to anyone though.
Good luck!

XDA Visitor said:
Hello there,
I am trying to find use for my old devices, recently just had a bambino and im trying to keep him entertained whilst driving and its hard work. I was thinking of mounting my old SG Tab 2 tablet in the back of the car and control its functions via my old SG 2 phone in front, mainly video watching for him to be honest. My SG2 is rooted, I am currently using an S5 but I would like to stick with the older phone if possible.
I have been reading a little into using 'Tablet Remote' but as far as i gather the tablet needs to be connected to a tv.
Can anyone point me in the right direction please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tablet Remote doesn't need a tv connected, Just 2 Android devices, here's the steps to use as mentioned in Google Play
1) Installation
Install the Tablet Remote on both devices;
2) Setup
For the receiver device (the tablet), go to the "setup" section and make sure the two options are check by selecting them and by enable Tablet Remote as a keyboard;
3) Connection
Go to the "connection" section and select the device you want to connect.
You'll have a notification on both devices when they connect with each other. If you don't find the other device, you can use the "scan device" and "make device discoverable" commands to make it appear in the list.
Only devices on your local area network (LAN) will be showed with the "scan devices" command. Make sure both devices have Tablet Remote on when you use that command.
If you have problem connecting with the device, try it with the other one or unbind both device and try it again.
4) Control
For the remote device (the phone), go to the "remote" section and you can start controlling the other device! In portrait mode, you'll have the remote setting and in landscape mode, you'll have the gamepad setting.

Gd man thanks for the help, i will give it a go and see how it works out in the car. Kudos

Wetek Play Remote control issue - multiple devices

Hey guys,
I have just bought a few Wetek Play Android TV boxes.
Apart from a few other issues that I will not get into here, I have one very major problem. I have two of these devices in my home and the air mouse that comes with it (the remote control) controls both boxes at the same time. so they are not independant.
this means if I have a box in the lounge and a box in the bedroom, both of their remote controls control both boxes at the same time making it completely useless.
I have asked Wetek support for help on this but only to get a reply that they are aware of the issue but cant do anything about it yet. so suggested using my phone or a mouse and keyboard..
Well this kind of defeats the purpose of what I got these boxes for.
I just wanted to get a little info on how these things work, you guys are super switched on when it comes to all things tech so I am hoping to find something out.
How do these remotes work? is it a hardware or software thing that connects them to each other?
I did install CM12 hoping that it would somehow fix the problem but it still exists.
is there anyway of making it so these remotes are independant of each other and linked to just one box?
Thanks in advance
Ryan

rpjones7 said:
Hey guys,
I have just bought a few Wetek Play Android TV boxes.
Apart from a few other issues that I will not get into here, I have one very major problem. I have two of these devices in my home and the air mouse that comes with it (the remote control) controls both boxes at the same time. so they are not independant.
this means if I have a box in the lounge and a box in the bedroom, both of their remote controls control both boxes at the same time making it completely useless.
I have asked Wetek support for help on this but only to get a reply that they are aware of the issue but cant do anything about it yet. so suggested using my phone or a mouse and keyboard..
Well this kind of defeats the purpose of what I got these boxes for.
I just wanted to get a little info on how these things work, you guys are super switched on when it comes to all things tech so I am hoping to find something out.
How do these remotes work? is it a hardware or software thing that connects them to each other?
I did install CM12 hoping that it would somehow fix the problem but it still exists.
is there anyway of making it so these remotes are independant of each other and linked to just one box?
Thanks in advance
Ryan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is a solution but first you need to unsync the remotes, if you acomplish that them you are good to go, and resync one for each box, i do not know is how do you unsync them, to resync is box on standby and back + ok button till green light flash. if you get them unsync them remove power cord from 1 box and sync one at a time, after first is synced remove power cord from that one and sync the other, always have one without power that way the remote will not sync to both