[Q] Androids, robots, control systems - General Questions and Answers

I want to take a mess of different android devices (currently a droid x, samsung galaxy player 4, and a galaxy player 3.6) and use them not only to control robots, but act as the brain/onboard computer, taking the place of a audrino and manage communication and output devices. essentially the same job a Mindstorm or a Vex device would have, I probably would use the Droid x for the robot onboard computer, due to the two ports it has. The robots would either communicate via bluetooth or wifi (hopefully wifi). I have a few questions about this.
1. Am i crazy
2. will this even work.
3. has anyone tried something like this.
4. what software should i use
5. do i need to root the devices.
6. anything else i should know.

UPDATE:
i plan on using something like a IOIO device. Main reason that it is decently cheap, has bluetooth and pwm as well as wifi (i think) are there any other devices i should look at as well.

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[Q] What will it take to make the new sixaxis driver work on the SK4G?

So sir_earl has done us all a great service by making it possible to use the Playstation 3 controller with Android phones. He posted about it in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1179929
But unfortunately for us, it's not compatible with the Sidekick 4G or several other recent Samsung phones. It sounds like our stock ROM doesn't give it the access it needs to the bluetooth hardware. What would it take to fix this? Is it something we can add with a custom kernel?
(BTW, I am the farthest thing from a software developer on the face of the earth, so sorry if I turn out to be Captain Oblivious.)
This is not an issue with access, but rather that certain protocols aren't built into our driver.
Think of it like this; you're trying to use an Xbox controller with a Playstation. They're both controllers, but they don't know how to talk to each other.
This would require either rewriting the bluetooth driver ( not feasible) or seeing if the driver is similar in our phones to that of one of the working phones.
EDIT: took a look in the kernel config, and found some bluetooth protocols that weren't enabled, that according to http://www.pabr.org/sixlinux/sixlinux.en.html are the same as the ones that the controller uses? not sure.
EDIT2: Tried enabling all the bluetooth options in the kernel config, couldn't get the compat checker to tell me anything good, still just says missing protocol, even though HID (what it should be) is enabled. I PM'd sir_earl to see what protocol is required and which phones it works on, perhaps I can see if their driver will build with our kernel, or if I can somehow mash together our sources to make it work.
That's a great start. I'd be really happy if we could make this work.
Our phone has all the power it needs to run things like N64 and PS1 emulators, and combined with the TV out cable, we've effectively got a dozen game consoles in our pockets. We just need a good way of controlling them.
Update: got a PM back from sir_earl, it's true that Samsung left out the BT protocol we need to use this, it's called "L2CAP via raw sockets" (from sir_earl). He suggested that using the AOSP/CM BT stack would be a good place to try, so I may give that a shot sometime later, as my list of projects is somewhat long right now.
Thanks for getting to the bottom of this. Here's hoping you get a chance to try it.
Did you have a chance to fiddle with this any more? I'd sure like to be able to use a proper gamepad with all the awesome emulators that run on these phones.
Tried looking at it, but the bluetooth stack that has proper support didn't work by just being added to our Kernel. I'm also kinda working on porting our kernel to be compatible with CM6/7, which would be easier to add the bluetooth stack to.

[REQUEST] bt-info for android

Oh man, i had fun with this little piece of software in school with my old sony erricsson c510. my friend and me used to link our phones, hide it behind the board and activate the music with the other one xD. the teacher didnt knew what was goin on ^^
anyways, bt-info was a fun program and i searched the web for an android version of this. i alao tried to convert the jar file into an apk file. it worked but the software was incompatible. can anyone make it work on my samsung galaxy s2?
Would be awesome....
lol i remember that app back in the times... but it worked only with a few target phones, I remember always failing against Symbians, working on some LG and SE ( AT standard commands huh?).
Anyway, in my free time I'm playing with some Android scripting and I could sort something like this... you got any request for features ?
As of now I got a "talk server"... just run on the phone, connect to its IP from anywhere else (another phone, iphone, ipad, pc...) type something and the phone will say it you could prank as well with that, but there could be added other cool functions...
Think that could be done via bluetooth too, though haven't tried much the bt libs..
Let me know if that could interest you
ell3 said:
lol i remember that app back in the times... but it worked only with a few target phones, I remember always failing against Symbians, working on some LG and SE ( AT standard commands huh?).
Anyway, in my free time I'm playing with some Android scripting and I could sort something like this... you got any request for features ?
As of now I got a "talk server"... just run on the phone, connect to its IP from anywhere else (another phone, iphone, ipad, pc...) type something and the phone will say it you could prank as well with that, but there could be added other cool functions...
Think that could be done via bluetooth too, though haven't tried much the bt libs..
Let me know if that could interest you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It would be awesome if you could it even get to work! it crashes on my phone when i try to connect! i used a jar to apk converter ..... maybe not the best idea
the app is/was great just the way it worked! maybe wifi support... and dissable the code request-thingy when i try to connect to a phone - but i think that would be iligal...
but yeah ... if you can get it to work, you could sell it on the market! or publish it anywere else! im not the only one whos searching for that app working on android!
See, targeting new generation phones with that old bluetooth app wont be of any effect.... will just work on old ones.
Removing the "code thing" you say it's the pairing procedure of bluetooth, the standard authentication feature of bt, actually you can't get around it, and though it would be illegal, it would get you big money if you ever find how to
That app used pseudo-standard AT commands through the bluetooth modem interface of the phone, and that supposedly to issue an action on the phone (like push/pull contacts,sms,calendars, raise volume, set alarm....) but that was not implemented in all phones so most commands failed, but virtually could work with any target as long as it was bt enabled and paired.
TL;DR
Not worth porting bt-info. So, as it must be build from scratch, you can suggest some feature request
ell3 said:
See, targeting new generation phones with that old bluetooth app wont be of any effect.... will just work on old ones.
Removing the "code thing" you say it's the pairing procedure of bluetooth, the standard authentication feature of bt, actually you can't get around it, and though it would be illegal, it would get you big money if you ever find how to
That app used pseudo-standard AT commands through the bluetooth modem interface of the phone, and that supposedly to issue an action on the phone (like push/pull contacts,sms,calendars, raise volume, set alarm....) but that was not implemented in all phones so most commands failed, but virtually could work with any target as long as it was bt enabled and paired.
TL;DR
Not worth porting bt-info. So, as it must be build from scratch, you can suggest some feature request
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
would be nice if someone could 'rebuild' that app on android bases... hacking the bluetooth 'password-thingy'™© isnt a big deal! the app worked great without it!
My question: is it POSSIBLE to make that app for android with all the functions that it has? and make it work with android-> symbian and android -> android?
Man I've been looking and wanting this for my phone forever.
Evo 3D in full Affect with WTSB HYDRO SENSE 3.5
Q: is it POSSIBLE to make that app for android with all the functions that it has and make it work with android-> symbian and android -> android?
A: Symbians hardly support AT commands, you can try yourself using old bt.info or any other AT enabled shell to issue a command to a Symbian, I had no luck in the past. Android to android I dont know if it could be done natively (client on one phone, no server in the other) but it surely might be done with an app. To get a 100% compatibility there should be a client or a server installer in BOTH phones, UNLESS you find some AT command that would run on all (hard, as most vendors implement them differently).
I found this lil app that can give you an example, it's called "AT COMMAND TOOL" (google -> "sd.at.c8600"). It says it has presets for Huaweii phones, but that's the only supported. Anyway, looks like you can issue any command, but you have to find out WHICH one works with other phones !!
Google "at command list" and get the idea...
I haven't tested it, but looks similar to what you're looking for.
I remember using
Code:
AT+CNUM
to get the phone number via BT... that could come handy in certain situations

MTK MT5886 - Root? - Nougat (7.0)

Hi All -
I'm trying to find resources/threads/&docs on anything relating to the MT58XX platform and I'm coming up short. Everything seems to be phone only and/or MT6xxx related. Even our good Russian friends and Polski's don't seem to have many reads other than "NO" for the MT5886.
Being that the device is running Nougat, I'm curious on peoples thoughts as to whether there would be any (semi) safe give-it-a-try methods on getting root & a shell on this device. The device itself is running the mfr's own UI (w/ Apdroid and no standard Android menus/options/settings). I can install APK's as-is, so I know I can at least install unknown sources, heck, for all I know the TV might already have root enabled.
I haven't had much time to play with it yet, but I do know that when trying to connect USB to a PC that's a nogo right now. The PC just see's it as a device that wants power, and the TV treats it as our bog-standard USB input. Anyway, I'll try to sideload a shell and do some more proper digging in the coming days, but wanted to ask and see if anyone had input regardless.
Cheers

Question Advice on how best to use a joying head unit!

Hi guys, i'm a little confused and between 2 minds on my joying headunit. I've been running the android 10 unit for quite some time now (https://www.joyingauto.com/joying-9...-android-10-0-car-autoradio-ips-1280x720.html) and generally really like the spec, features and responsiveness. However there seems to be a lot of different ways of using it. And i can't quite decide what would be the 'best' way.
1. I can use the unit natively, by installing the apps like waze, spotify, etc directly to the headunits storage and either fitting a 4G data sim
2. I can use the unit natively, by installing the apps like waze, spotify, etc directly to the headunits storage and using my phone as a wifi hotspot and tethering the internet to it to keep everything running natively.
3. I can use Android Auto and mirror my phones apps to the headunit and use it that way.
Just looking for opinions and discussion around how peope are using there's and why? I use mine in configuration 2 above.
As a side note, i'd love to install a custom rom onto the unit rather than use joying's image but can imaging a 100 things would break and that i'd potentially brick the unit by just attempting it. Even their update process seems to be a blog post that says "Here's some links, if you not sure what to use, email us and we'll advise." But i don't trust that i'd get much support with a bricked or dodgy update. Thouhts?
I do 1 and 3 on mine, but with CarPplay.
Reason being: CarPlay nav is more "on the road friendly" in that the UI is designed to be used while moving.
Native functionality is good when I want the unit to do the stuff while I just BlueTooth sound from a different device.
My one issue is that if I have data turned on and enable CarPlay, my phone uses the head unit as a hotspot which isn't ideal.
thestraycat said:
Hi guys, i'm a little confused and between 2 minds on my joying headunit. I've been running the android 10 unit for quite some time now (https://www.joyingauto.com/joying-9...-android-10-0-car-autoradio-ips-1280x720.html) and generally really like the spec, features and responsiveness. However there seems to be a lot of different ways of using it. And i can't quite decide what would be the 'best' way.
1. I can use the unit natively, by installing the apps like waze, spotify, etc directly to the headunits storage and either fitting a 4G data sim
2. I can use the unit natively, by installing the apps like waze, spotify, etc directly to the headunits storage and using my phone as a wifi hotspot and tethering the internet to it to keep everything running natively.
3. I can use Android Auto and mirror my phones apps to the headunit and use it that way.
Just looking for opinions and discussion around how peope are using there's and why? I use mine in configuration 2 above.
As a side note, i'd love to install a custom rom onto the unit rather than use joying's image but can imaging a 100 things would break and that i'd potentially brick the unit by just attempting it. Even their update process seems to be a blog post that says "Here's some links, if you not sure what to use, email us and we'll advise." But i don't trust that i'd get much support with a bricked or dodgy update. Thouhts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you mean FYT UIS7862 based unit. Joying is a made up brand.
3. Pseudo Android Auto- reality is it is a hack that will eventually frustrate as google and phone manufacturer release updates. These units are NOT Android Auto.
Re. Custom ROMs. None exist and are not needed.

[Firefly] [ROCKCHIP] [ITX-3588J] "This device is not Google Play Protect certified"

I want to say that thanks to the help from @Nikhil I finally got the Google Play app set installed on my Firefly ITX-3588J ROCKCHIP RK3588 board's Android 12 stock image install. Except now there's one last little problem that's a bit different than everything I'd been having before here, and that's that it says:
This device isn't Play Protect certified.
Your device isn't certified to run Google apps or use Google services. Contact the device manufacturer or retailer and ask for a certified device.
Learn more at g.co/AndroidCertifiedDevice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I can't use the Google Play Store to download the apps that I need that were the whole reason for putting it on in the first place (to get Chrome, ZOOM, and Linux Deploy especially).
What can be done about this? From what I gather, Google maintains a list of "blessed" devices and obviously this board (very new, not from a typical manufacturer, not your typical Android device i.e. a phone or tablet) is not there. Is there any way around this? I saw something about registering it in your Google Developer account (which I have one of), I tried that some time ago when I had a less than working Google Play installation (before the recent one which looks to be "100% proper", that one was crashing in weird ways in addition to giving this error), but it seems not to have taken and/or be remembered. The device is connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi but that's about it.
Is there any fix? I seem to be soooooo close now to finally having coaxed a usable system out of this board!
Look inside here:
Fix issues with your Play Protect certification status - Android Help
If your device isn't Play Protect certified, Google doesn’t have a record of the Android compatibility test results. Keep in mind that: Devices that aren't Play Protect certified may
support.google.com
xXx yYy said:
Look inside here:
Fix issues with your Play Protect certification status - Android Help
If your device isn't Play Protect certified, Google doesn’t have a record of the Android compatibility test results. Keep in mind that: Devices that aren't Play Protect certified may
support.google.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. It's not on the list of certified devices - which is hardly surprising to me given what it is.
ADD: I decided to try registering as a custom ROM.
ADD 2: I finished the custom ROM registration. The device is no longer giving pop up notifications that it is "not Play Protect certified", but Google Play still goes to - and now goes immediately (no log in prompt) to - its "This device is not Play Protect certified" error screen. What's going on?
ADD 3: I managed to get it to work. The trick was to go to System > Apps and clear cache and user data for both Google Play and Google Play services. That reset everything and now it goes! Thanks for your help.
I am thinking of purchasing one. Where are you at with yours @Shimmy99 ?
Have you been able to download everything you wanted? Are you using a touchscreen?
Thanks ahead of time.
mebalzer said:
I am thinking of purchasing one. Where are you at with yours @Shimmy99 ?
Have you been able to download everything you wanted? Are you using a touchscreen?
Thanks ahead of time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Works great as an Android 12 machine. Ubuntu is proving much less trivial to get working, however, chiefly due to graphics support issues (also not gotten GRUB to work yet, either) - I even installed a GPU card, but it is not fully working because it appears something is funny with the driver code and the way Rockchip's PCI Express controller work together and it looks like a real kernel development problem (kinda reminiscent of issues with the Raspberry Pi and GPUs, but different ones). The real trick to getting a smooth GApps installation was to pack a custom ROM with a suitably loaded "product" partition/directory with the apps from a package like NikGApps. Can/will provide more details later/if you want them. No, I use keyboard and mouse. Android, though, is kinda quirky with them.
Thanks for the detailed response. I am thinking of getting the Firefly variant with 4GB/32GB. You mentioned you were trying to add a GPU? It seems the main reason for getting this is due to the Mali GPU. What I am trying to do is create a system with enough "kick" to compete with the Steamdeck but with a 10" screen. Frankly, I just wanted something a little better than my current solution based on a 2019 Shield TV (Tube) but with twice the performance. The Shield TV has been a fun project since I doing a lot of SMD soldering and working in small spaces. I plan to talk about it more on my YouTube channel 'All THings 3D' in a week or two. At $400 for a 10" variant (full BOM) using the Firefly makes it a hard sell for anyone except the tinkerer. If I stick with the Shield TV, it competes niceley with the new Logitech 7" cloud game pad.
Anyway I will message you since I have another project I am working on that may interest you.
mebalzer said:
Thanks for the detailed response. I am thinking of getting the Firefly variant with 4GB/32GB. You mentioned you were trying to add a GPU? It seems the main reason for getting this is due to the Mali GPU. What I am trying to do is create a system with enough "kick" to compete with the Steamdeck but with a 10" screen. Frankly, I just wanted something a little better than my current solution based on a 2019 Shield TV (Tube) but with twice the performance. The Shield TV has been a fun project since I doing a lot of SMD soldering and working in small spaces. I plan to talk about it more on my YouTube channel 'All THings 3D' in a week or two. At $400 for a 10" variant (full BOM) using the Firefly makes it a hard sell for anyone except the tinkerer. If I stick with the Shield TV, it competes niceley with the new Logitech 7" cloud game pad.
Anyway I will message you since I have another project I am working on that may interest you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You trying to make a handheld with this? This board, I don't think, is compact/cool (as in temperature - it has a fan!) enough for that purpose. It's really more like a mini desktop computer board, or at best a laptop - it'd be an awfully thick "handheld" to accommodate the ventilation... Yes, you're right about the Mali GPU - no Ubuntu support (but OK with Android 12). There are other and smaller RK3588 boards, but the heat dissipation of this processor looks, given the presence of a fan, to likely be a liability for handheld use I'd think.
Shimmy99 said:
You trying to make a handheld with this? This board, I don't think, is compact/cool (as in temperature - it has a fan!) enough for that purpose. It's really more like a mini desktop computer board, or at best a laptop - it'd be an awfully thick "handheld" to accommodate the ventilation... Yes, you're right about the Mali GPU - no Ubuntu support (but OK with Android 12). There are other and smaller RK3588 boards, but the heat dissipation of this processor looks, given the presence of a fan, to likely be a liability for handheld use I'd think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I received the Orange Pi 5 yesterday and was able to get very good 3DMark (4454) rating with small heatsink on top of the RK-3588 without a fan. My case already has a couple low profile 40mm fans in the back of the case for the 10" 1080P screen that currently houses customized Shield TV board. This will work much better and with much better rating. The only problem is no WiFi or BT on the board and I am already using the M.2 slot for a NVME and none of my USB WIFI dongles work which means I will have to find a Android 12 build that someone has already included the drivers for USB device, or do it myself. Or, maybe Orange Pi themselves have USB driver built in that haven't disclosed which one yet. In any case $84 for the board with 8GB which is less than half of the price of any other RK3588 boards out there.
More to come...

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