One of the very few downsides to the Asus transformer is the lack of a full-sized USB port on the tablet itself. You can always purchase a dock and Asus has said that they will be selling a miniUSB >USB dongle. However, neither of these solutions is really the same as having a slot within the tablet.
I figured the folks at XDA wouldn't stand for this!
Here is my challenge. Add a full USB slot to the tablet and post instructions.
Here is how I could see this going down:
1) Someone with more hardware know-how, open up your transformer and find a physical spot in which one could place a full female USB connector with a small mounting bracket.
I haven't seen a hardware teardown yet probably due to lack of stock.
2) Figure out wiring from a full USB slot to controller. Perhaps directly splicing with the microUSB cables?
3) Either do it yourself or write up your findings and let the community try.
I think with a small dremmel tool and some pieces from radioshack we could make a pretty good mod.
What do you guys think?
I'd be interested to see someone do this, but I think 99.99% of the population would be too afraid to take a dremel to their TF considering it is about 6 mm in width at the edges. It would have to be a pretty tiny dremel. That's not considering the risk of opening it up. Then, finding the right location to solder the USB port to on the circuit board.
I think I'll wait for the dongle
The easiest would be a dock connector to USB dongle. That way, it doesn't require opening anything, just scoping the dock and how that works.
Just wait for the official solution that's my advice
For what it's worth, I bought a usb 3.0 F-F adaptor and attached it to the power cable. I then plugged in a usb memory stick. There was some activity and drivers were loaded on the Transformer, but the memory stick was not recognized.
Anyone else have any luck with this?
Hey all, was wondering if anyone could answer this who currently owns a Transformer Keyboard Dock.
Since the dock has a battery built into it, can I charge devices via USB without the tablet docked into the keyboard or does the tablet have to be docked in order to use the USB to charge the device?
Also, I have seen pictures of a usb adapter for the transformer but cannot find it anywhere. Anyone aware of it's availability?
Thanks so much for the help!!
I just plugged a mytouch 3g into the usb port of the dock with the tablet disconnected and it did not charge the device. But as soon as I docked the tablet it started charging.
The usb adapter you describe I'm pretty sure hasn't been released yet.
hope that answered your question
heman22union said:
I just plugged a mytouch 3g into the usb port of the dock with the tablet disconnected and it did not charge the device. But as soon as I docked the tablet it started charging.
The usb adapter you describe I'm pretty sure hasn't been released yet.
hope that answered your question
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yes thank you, just unfortunate as to what the answers are. have been putting off purchasing a tablet but after seeing that $100 coupon off tablets at staples this morning i am very tempted to finally pick up a transformer. Just concerned about keeping my Thunderbolt charged while tethering it to the tablet since I don't really have a strong need for the keyboard dock as of now. hope the usb adapter comes out soon.
what are your honest thoughts on the transformer?
i tried to charge my Blackberry with my keyboard dock and it wouldn't work at all..with or without the tablet docked.
Strange.....
Hi all,
Looking To Buy Asus Transformer Infinity TF700 without keyboard, i have few questions.
How can i connect usb disk (or usb memory key) on TF700 ?
Using "usb female to usb female adaptor" can work for connecting usb drive on Usb dock cable of TF700 (without dock) ?
Thanks.
There's this asus thing on amazon for some money that converts the bottom proprietary port into a USB port. From there you could (possibly) attach a USB hub or whatever for your needs.
I got b& at /g/ for sh!tposting ;_;
jdeoxys said:
There's this asus thing on amazon for some money that converts the bottom proprietary port into a USB port. From there you could (possibly) attach a USB hub or whatever for your needs.
I got b& at /g/ for sh!tposting ;_;
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that's right, it's called an usb kit but i'm not sure if it works for the tf700 since it says "ASUS USB Kit for Eee Pad Transformer TF101, TF101G, TF201 & TF300 Tablets"
You can get the USB adapter for like $30 (works on the 700), or you can go to best buy and get the tf201 dock (that works perfectly on the 700) for $99. IMHO, the dock is the way to go...
Currently, I have both the TF201 dock (best buy $99) and an Asus USB kit (amazon $17) and am glad to have both. The USB kit works but seems to easily come loose, which is horrible for hard drives.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 2
You could also buy a micro sd card and plug that into a cheap $3 usb adapter. eg: http://www.dealextreme.com/c/card-readers-300
Thats how I've been loading up my micro sd cards with ebooks and movies.
I asked earlier on the forum about pluging in my usb external 2tb drive to the tablet 40 pin via a usb adapter but was told that might be a no go due to lack of android drivers. Has anyone attempted it? I'd be curious to see if it could somehow work.
Syn010 said:
You could also buy a micro sd card and plug that into a cheap $3 usb adapter. eg: http://www.dealextreme.com/c/card-readers-300
Thats how I've been loading up my micro sd cards with ebooks and movies.
I asked earlier on the forum about pluging in my usb external 2tb drive to the tablet 40 pin via a usb adapter but was told that might be a no go due to lack of android drivers. Has anyone attempted it? I'd be curious to see if it could somehow work.
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I just plugged a Seagate 2TB external hard drive into the USB adapter and it came up and is working. Movies play, music plays, pictures, etc.
According to you will it be possibile in a future (maybe with an hack) to connect in this female usb port an usb stick modem with sim card?
Go with the dock.
PAPB0007 said:
I just plugged a Seagate 2TB external hard drive into the USB adapter and it came up and is working. Movies play, music plays, pictures, etc.
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Wicked! :good: Wait do you mean via tablet 40pin usb or do you mean usb via the dock.
Asus drives me nutz with this idiot connector deal.
It's horsepoop if you ask me.
Even them Samsing tabs with their weird plugins have connector options available locally.
Asus = nope...uh-uh...sorry...no deal my man...your stuck buying our big ole' huge massive goofy interface clunker unit thingy!
I find this irritating.
Syn010 said:
Wicked! :good: Wait do you mean via tablet 40pin usb or do you mean usb via the dock.
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A little more testing and perhaps better wording:
The 2TB hard drive worked via the tablet's 40 pin input (the one on the bottom that you usually charge from) using the USB adapter.
The 2TB hard drive worked via the dock's USB input.
Nothing worked when I plugged the USB adapter into the dock's 40pin input.
I hope this helps. I have other external hard drives I can test. 500GB - 2TB, Western Digital, Seagate, Toshiba, a few are USB 3.0, most are USB 2.0.
FWIW, like others, I would highly recommend the dock, especially @ $99. I didn't think I needed it, felt it defeated the idea of a tablet, and had the TF Prime for months without it, but when it went up for $99 @ BB I pulled the trigger on it and I have been pretty amazed at how much I like having available. I use it all the time. It adds a lot of value to the TFs. The fact that I could upgrade to the TF700 and keep it was awesome, I'm not sure I would want a tablet that didn't have something similar going forward.
I got the Infinity without the keyboard as well. I actually already had a portable blue tooth keyboard, which is the Freedom Pro Keyboard. You can pick up on the net from $50 to $100. Amazon link
It's not going to have all the integration of the dock or anything. But I can use it on multiple devices since it has both the HID and SSP blue tooth protocols. I've used it both on my Evo 4G and the Infinity and works like a champ. It does use two AAA batteries. But in the months I've had it, I've only changed them once, and I think I left it on for about three or four days before I discovered it one time.
The thing the dock has that you may want, more battery life, USB ports, and SD card slot. In theory, would could type with it in bed or something too, although I've heard you'll want a flatter surface. It's a pretty nice looking dock and all. But I just didn't see what big benefit it would give me compared to what I had, other than battery life.
I did write on the Freedom Pro Keyboard from when I got it (Link to another forum). It gives my opinion and observations.
I tried to connect a Logitech K400 wirelesse keyboard with no success. I bought a female-female usb adapter and plugged it at my ASUS usb docking cable. The RF receiver isn't recognized and the keyboard can't be used.
WTF ASUS is forcing to use expensive accessory, e.g. dock by 150 € or usb adpter by 30€? Today I'll try the K400 at my sister-in-law's Acer A700 tablet. If it works she can have the keyboard.
Does anyone try another 3rd USB adapter acccessory with things like webcam or keyboard?
I have a little HP bluetooth keyboard that pairs to tf700t pretty well .... it messes up sometimes.
Sort of saved me from buying the dock.
Wish I had a bluetooth mouse tho...
I agree about the Asus pain in the ass 40 pin connector.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using xda app-developers app
thunderger said:
I tried to connect a Logitech K400 wirelesse keyboard with no success. I bought a female-female usb adapter and plugged it at my ASUS usb docking cable. The RF receiver isn't recognized and the keyboard can't be used....
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I'm not that surprise this isn't working. One, the keyboard is not blue tooth, which you know. Two, you need drivers to work the unifying usb receiver. I would be surprised if Android had the drivers. Didn't you notice when you plugged into your PC, WIndows or OSX downloaded drivers to install?
To your point, no you don't have buy the ASUS keyboard dock for $150EU/US. If don't mind it not matching, from what has been explored in other threads, the Transformer Prime (TF200) dock is the same, and can be found for around $100EU/US. But since you're you were trying to use something else, there are a plenty of other blue tooth keyboards that can be used. You're looking for one with the HID protocol. Although, you can probably use the SPP, but you'll probably need to make sure you get the drivers somewhere.
I suspect you're looking for that wireless to be able to use with it. I only briefly explored it for use with my phone. You'll have to search and research. There may be something. Personally, it wasn't a must have. Since I'm right next to the tablet, I can just touch the screen just as easily. Other than a few games on OnLive, I can think of what it can do better than my finger on the tablet. Plus, I think the cost will be the same after both the keyboard and mouse/touch pad.
I guess the question for you, not so much is ASUS keyboard dock is pricey, but can you do what you plan with something else. And is the cost of whatever you get, worth the benefit derived.
My friend has a USB internet stick which gives her internet access in remote areas.
We already have 40 pin usb to male usb with the tf700t.
Could I attach that male usb end to a female usb connection then to a male internet usb stick?
cheers.
I think that the USB stick requires software that might be not designed to run on the Android OS. Even if you can get the tab and the stick communicating, there's really very little likelihood they will work together. Many USB sticks have their own software in addition to the drivers needed for actually talking with the OS. Until it says "For Android" on the USB Stick's box, I think it's a no-go.
alienedd said:
I think that the USB stick requires software that might be not designed to run on the Android OS. Even if you can get the tab and the stick communicating, there's really very little likelihood they will work together. Many USB sticks have their own software in addition to the drivers needed for actually talking with the OS. Until it says "For Android" on the USB Stick's box, I think it's a no-go.
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Thanks Alienedd.
Syn010 said:
Thanks Alienedd.
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Check out the a500 forums. I dont remember specifics, but there are usb data sticks there that will work. This was one of the main tablets that had a build in USB host port.
phoenixbennu said:
Check out the a500 forums. I dont remember specifics, but there are usb data sticks there that will work. This was one of the main tablets that had a build in USB host port.
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Good call! Maybe try this thread?
While this does not address the use of a internet connection USB thumb drive it will address the topic of "USB on tablet possible without keyboard dock."
There is a Asus addon that plugs into the 40 pin connector to use it as a USB port. Amazon link - ASUS USB Kit for Eee Pad Transformer TF101, TF101G, TF201 & TF300 Tablets
In the reviews some say it is fully usable on the TF700.
Bohemian said:
While this does not address the use of a internet connection USB thumb drive it will address the topic of "USB on tablet possible without keyboard dock."
There is a Asus addon that plugs into the 40 pin connector to use it as a USB port. Amazon link - ASUS USB Kit for Eee Pad Transformer TF101, TF101G, TF201 & TF300 Tablets
In the reviews some say it is fully usable on the TF700.
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I own one of these and use it with a hub to plug in a full size desktop keyboard and mouse. Also, they're cheaper at Microcenter.
MattZTexasu said:
I own one of these and use it with a hub to plug in a full size desktop keyboard and mouse. Also, they're cheaper at Microcenter.
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Link?
Also, if you can get a cheap Charging cable from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007GJR7GS/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00) anda cheap USB cable, can't you just make your own by splicing/soldering the wires and using some shrink tube?
It would be flexible and you can make it as long as you need it to be. I feel like having their adapter + a USB stick would stick out pretty badly from the bottom of the tablet
I was wondering the same thing - would be a lot less clunky if you could just attach a female to female usb adapter at the end of the charging cable to avoid having a big brick sitting on the side of the tablet.
Ozark_8125 said:
I was wondering the same thing - would be a lot less clunky if you could just attach a female to female usb adapter at the end of the charging cable to avoid having a big brick sitting on the side of the tablet.
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Me too
Not for internet access just for a thumb drive or card reader.
I had the A700 that would see most stuff;
Wired or wireless mice
Keyboards
32 gig data stick
SDHC card reader
etc
I did try a TPLink wireless data stick in the ACER, yet it was not recognized by Andwoid ICS.
Asus does sell a "converter" to convert the docking port to a USB port - sounds like that would do the trick for reading thumb drives, etc...
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 2
I'd like to buy the 40 pin thing for cheap, pop it open and see if there is a circuit interface inside.
I think it's big because of the female USB A plug built into it.
Wonder why Asus just doesn't offer the plug with a wired dongle?
I have the USB adapter for my TF700. The only issue I have with it is that it is not really a solid connection. That is it is too large and heavy to stay plugged into the port firmly. I would like to find a way to put some kind of a cable between the adapter and the TF700 to relieve some of the stress on the port. Has anyone found a way to move the USB adapter farther from the TF700?
Thanks.
Scott