[Q] help choosing android phablet and bluetooth printer - General Questions and Answers

my job involves invoicing customers and my employer is trying to implement an application called "sales force". we need to create an order and then be able to print an invoice using a non thermal, battery operated and bluetooth (or wifi) printer.
he and the i.t. guy seem to think that the only way for this to work is for us to have a mobile phone, windows surface and a bluetooth printer.
i'm convinced that we can eliminate the phone and surface using an android phablet that will interface with a bluetooth printer but i'm not up to date with the current equipment.
can anyone recommend a combo that works? i'm thinking about the htc one max or a samsung note as the phablet.
many thanks in advance to anyone that can shed some light on this matter.

Related

TP as HID Keyboard

Is there an application for the TP which allows for the device to be used as a HID over Bluetooth to control a desktop PC?
there are programs that let you control your desktop PC in various ways, but nothing specific for TP or the keyboard
Wow great idea, that would be nifty on my CarPC! I'm always looking for a smaller keyboard to fit there...
Can't be that hard, I'm sure someone can do that, with all the specialists we have here in this wonderful community
"can't be that hard"?
How did you come to this conclusion?
Educated guess? Or just guess?
Well it would need to modify a little bit the bluetooth stack and emulate a HID keyboard, I guess.
Tonight I'm the Jeremy Clarkson of the day, with his most famous quote: "how hard can it be?!" when obviously it is very hard to do...
So I absolutely don't mean it is an easy thing to do, but I'm sure some experts in XDA-Dev are skilled enough to do it.
Hey, a man can dream, right?
Another option is to use a program like VNC to pilot your pc from the your raphael.
Used to do it with my old ppc (Toshiba e830). This works only if the computer you want to control is also in the same network (connected either through LAN cable or wifi).
Yes, I'm aware of a number of remote control solutions, but they all require an application to be run on the PC to be controlled. I'm really looking for a solutions which is purely based on HID. Like the Sony Ericsson remote control feature on the new phones. Great for presentations and Media Player. Any ideas?
Not exactly what you were talking about but...
http://www.virtual-laser-keyboard.com/
About the size of a lighter, and you can use it for you phone as well. (Picture attaching your phone to the TV in the back. Using your bluetooth to open a program on it. Then typing away on the scren with this "futuristic keyboard from the stars!!".... or something like that.)
that must be one of the most useless gadgets ever created
huge initial "wow" factor, but that is all
Useless? I don't know... over priced, and unnecessary maybe, but a portable full sized keyboard doesn't seem useless to me.
Have you tried it?
I have. Very stupid to tap a plain table, since you cannot feel anything (even the separation of the buttons) you make 60% mistakes.
Also, it is not even portable! You need a large flat surface to put it and to let it throw its beam.
(and one more thing to recharge)
I stand by my original wording.
nethopper said:
Yes, I'm aware of a number of remote control solutions, but they all require an application to be run on the PC to be controlled. I'm really looking for a solutions which is purely based on HID. Like the Sony Ericsson remote control feature on the new phones. Great for presentations and Media Player. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, HID implementation in Windows also includes programs and services that start with your windows. So if you have to install only 1 program to make it run I don't think it is a big deal.
It's 3 years I use my main computer this way. As I have a projector and don't want to start it every time I installed VNC server in my main computer (freeware) and VNC client in both my laptop and PPC, and it works pretty well (especially with Vista on my laptop, it runs pretty smooth).
@NLS:
Hmm, well from that description I will have to agree with you and add useless to my definition of the product as well.
@nethopper:
Yeah if you were looking for remote solutions I would suggest Logmein.com (the free version because I am cheap). If you want something that purely converts your phones keyboard into a computer keyboard... I found ( http://en.handybyte.com/cat/system-utilities/communications/blueremote/ ) for palm devices, this ( http://en.handybyte.com/cat/system-utilities/enhancements/ppc-tablet-remote-control-suite/ ) for ppc but over TCP/IP instead of bluetooth, and a patent showing that someone *Microsoft* is working/has worked on the idea ( http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2008/0120448.html ) so the search continues
@FlippyTK: I'm aware of the VNC solution, but I'm really looking for something as slim and elegant as the software on the SE phones. There are situations where you don't want or can't install anything on the host PC.
@NetApex: Thanks, for the links. The MS patent is strange, how could they file something as obvious as this? There must be prior art... But the patent might be the reason why such a software does not exist. I guess everybody is afraid of the MS lawyers...
I'll keep searching, please let us know if you have the solution...
I'm not sure a pure HID solution is possible. If the Raphael keyboard is indeed a HID-capable device, then the phone itself is its host. Since you would have to go through the host (in this case, WM) to access the bluetooth stack, the most direct solution is a software "pass-through" program.
[edited]
The SE solution is using bluetooth HID emulation, so I will take a look into that.
For now, the TCP/IP solution shouldn't be a problem: you can setup a bluetooth PAN for TCP/IP connectivity.
For reference, one software that is closest to what you have in mind is Synergy, a similar host/client pass-through program that allows you to use one keyboard/mouse on multiple networked computers (without using hardware KVM switch, etc). It's only Windows/Mac/Unix, no PPC client, but maybe it will help point you in the right direction.
I found the following article which gives a nice overview of remote control solutions:
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/cms/blogs/3/remote_media_controllers_for_windows_mob
The software from Jerom does a nice job (http://www.jaylee.org/RemoteControl/) and I used it on my Prophet for some time. It requires for a small program to be installed on the host and it is easy to set up. But I had it hang a few times (typically in the middle of a management presentation) and therefore I abandoned it. The SE solution I had before was absolutely reliable and that's why I look for something similar for WM.
In principle, the solution is simple: Implement a HID device driver and pass key/touches to it. I did some programming for WM devices but I never tackled the bluetooth stack... there is a significant hurdle - otherwise someone else would have done this app already. ;-)
that would be cool
using the phone to open an app that is named "operate as bluetooth keyboard" and clicking start to take control of a home theater PC using teh TV as your monitor and the desktop media PC as the CPU and just using your phone as nothing more than a keyboard would be pretty slick.
golympio said:
Wow great idea, that would be nifty on my CarPC! I'm always looking for a smaller keyboard to fit there...
Can't be that hard, I'm sure someone can do that, with all the specialists we have here in this wonderful community
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are so much interested in a small portable keyboard, why dont you try diNovo Mini from logitech http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboards/&cl=roeu,en
Quite cool. I use it for my Media Center!
Cyber-mate said:
If you are so much interested in a small portable keyboard, why dont you try diNovo Mini from logitech http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboards/&cl=roeu,en
Quite cool. I use it for my Media Center!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is cool, but also pricey
UP!!!!!

[Q] Device for industrial mobile PC application

The industrial mobile/handheld PC market has plenty of Windows CE/Windows Mobile devices from Symbol (Motorola) and the like. I have yet to find any Android devices in that segment. Does anyone know of any or is my best bet going to be re-purposing a Droid handset?
I'd love something with a laser barcode scanner, but my Droid has no problem reading the barcodes with its built in camera so as long as it has an auto-focus camera I think I'll be fine. I guess what I'm looking for is a Droid without a cellular radio (still need wifi), GPS, bluetooth, or accelerometer. I've found a number of Android tablets from various no-name Chinese manufacturers that have most of what I'm looking for but they all seem to be the 7" variety and typically cheap out on the camera which is one of the more important functions for my application.

OBD

Hello,
I saw that there is no OBD software in the marketplace, so I assume there's no API for the OBD in windows phone 7??
If anyone has informations, I could develop a new obd tool... but I can't find informations about OBD..
If you mean by OBD the On-Board Diagnostics, all handsets already has one (provided by manufacturers). And it's nothing what you can do (if you'll not start manufactoring your own WP7 ) - all native code should be signed.
No, sorry, I meant the automotive diagnostic tool eheh!
It's probably because niether the USB or the BT connection allow to connect OBD interfaces. USB lacks host support and BT lacks virtual com ports support, so you have no way to connect the OBD interface whether it being KKL / ELM or whatever with the phone.
figured it was something like that.. any luck we will have support about this in the future?
There is a device for the iPhone that plugs into the OBD and creates a wifi network. After that it is just sockets. I'm sure you could make a windows phone version of the tool.
Found it: http://www.obdkey.com/wifi/index.asp
my buddy has one for android it communicates via bluetooth and cost like $20. He ran the codes on my caddy, very useful
Hello i am the developer for OBDMobile for windows mobile:
http://www.rklenka.com/software/winmobile/obdmobile/
and Windows:
http://www.rklenka.com/software/obdmobile/
and as soon as its possible there will be a version for Windows Phone 7, but for right now it cant be done. In fact I am trying to work with some OBD Connector manufacturers in order to find a way to get it to work.
Right now there is no Bluetooth API and no Ad-Hoc support which is what OBDKey and KIWI Wifi supports. All the back end code has all ready be done so as soon as there is a way it will be up.
RKlenka said:
Hello i am the developer for OBDMobile for windows mobile:
http://www.rklenka.com/software/winmobile/obdmobile/
and Windows:
http://www.rklenka.com/software/obdmobile/
and as soon as its possible there will be a version for Windows Phone 7, but for right now it cant be done. In fact I am trying to work with some OBD Connector manufacturers in order to find a way to get it to work.
Right now there is no Bluetooth API and no Ad-Hoc support which is what OBDKey and KIWI Wifi supports. All the back end code has all ready be done so as soon as there is a way it will be up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be amazing if you could get it to work matey
I use Torque on my Android Tablet and Digimoto on my laptop and connect to my Bluetooth OBD-II Reader, if i was able to use my Windows Phone this would be a GREAT help!
ODB aplication for WP7 would be very good.
I was looking around the internet about 2 months ago and ran across hardware and apps that do this for android,ios,wm, and I think even blackberry...
I remember thinking that would be sweet on my windows phone. Way to show up my boss... Lol
I showed him the website and I think he's gonna look into it when the software on the current scan tool gets outdated since he has an iphone4, I got the hd7, and another kid has an android phone.. Would be sweet to just carry around the little piece that plugs into the port and broadcast the signal to the phones.
Do you think there's gonna be live data support or just a basic tool to pull engine codes. Possible abs, srs scan too?
Sent from my HD7 T9292 using XDA Windows Phone 7 App
Didn't know the USB adapters could be gotten for under $20 never mind software for the PC for fairly cheap. I always thought these adapters could only be gotten for around $300+.
I dont work on cars for a living but, if this could be all gotten and working on my WP7 device for under $30, I'd be all over it. It's always usefull to have one of these type of things around when a code comes up on one of our cars and not have to run to a store that will not reset codes, etc.
I might even grab it for a old WM 6.5 device I keep around for a spare....
any app for OBDII gauges in WP7.5 ????
Bump, it's been a while, anyone find anything for WP7 or 7.5 to do this ?
It's been a while for this thread - any updates on Windows Phone and OBD-II? Wondering because I want to expand into Windows development too, rather than just Android.

Wireless screen mirroring from multiple platforms

Hi all
I've given the forums a good search, but I haven't managed to find a full solution.
I teach IT at a high school, and I'm about to be given a fantastic collaboration space. Each student in our school has a tablet of some kind, be it Apple, Android or Win 8 (initially, it was going to be all Apple but I fought that tooth and nail).
What I'd really like to be able to do is to screen mirror any given device to a TV or projector in the room. It will only be needed one direction, from tablet to display, not the other way around. And only one device need interface with the display at once.
I've worked with DLNA is the past, but that's only good for media delivery, as opposed to full mirroring. MirrorOp looks like just the ticket, but requires rooting or jailbreaking - I don't imagine I'd be able to swing that by the kids' parents . Miracast and AirPlay are great, but a receiving device that supports both is non-existent.
I've considered a wireless presentation gateway (such as the Teq AV/IT devices) that have associated tablet apps, and these seem to fit the bill. But before I go that route, I thought I'd ask here.
So, the $64 000 question - is there some sort of software solution that would allow me to use the room in the way I've described? I'm happy to set up any needed hardware, and we have wireless capacity up the wazoo.
Many thanks!

Q: Android dongle and Digital Signage

Hello
I am currently working on a project that requires digital signage. I was hoping that a combination with a android dongle (ideally with eth port) and some sort of software would work. has anyone got any real life experiences with this sort of setup and what could you recommend? All i need it to do is to refresh a website with stats, monitoring as well as display RSS feeds and so on. I know about Xibo but not sure how easy this would be to use.
any recommendation on hardware / software would be greatly appreciated.
I can help
Are you using a monitor or tv for this? How big are you going to go? P.M. Me with some more specifics. I have experimented with this and have a few good setups. The main consideration would be How Much do you want to spend?
Rick
I don't know if it would fit your needs, but check out RiseVision for a no-charge signage solution. They also sell hardware, but that's not a requirement to run their software for free as the source of your signage. They have software clients for Linux, Windows and Chromebook and you can find 3rd-party apps on the Play Store to run on Android.
I'm still looking for a nice, inexpensive Android Stick to hook up my account to a TV. So far, I've tried it on a Windows PC and a Nexus7 and both work great.
SideWynder said:
I don't know if it would fit your needs, but check out RiseVision for a no-charge signage solution. They also sell hardware, but that's not a requirement to run their software for free as the source of your signage. They have software clients for Linux, Windows and Chromebook and you can find 3rd-party apps on the Play Store to run on Android.
I'm still looking for a nice, inexpensive Android Stick to hook up my account to a TV. So far, I've tried it on a Windows PC and a Nexus7 and both work great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the responses... We will be using Samsung DM48D screens which are magic info enabled as well. At present i am playing around with Xibo and a Dell Wyse Cloud connect dongle.
Ideally I want to control the android dongle as well but I have yet to find a way to root the Wyse CC dongle and stick a VNC server on it or similar. The RiseVision is a great idea however the information (sales stats dashboards) we want to display are sensitive and not externally available hence a cloud solution wouldn't work I believe.
holgmaster said:
Hello
I am currently working on a project that requires digital signage. I was hoping that a combination with a android dongle (ideally with eth port) and some sort of software would work. has anyone got any real life experiences with this sort of setup and what could you recommend? All i need it to do is to refresh a website with stats, monitoring as well as display RSS feeds and so on. I know about Xibo but not sure how easy this would be to use.
any recommendation on hardware / software would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PQ Labs with their iStick range specialise in Android sticks for signage and they also produce one with an ethernet port.
Could be dont using cloud-based Content Management System
All you need is a web-based content management system like "MobiLock Presentations" that allows you to monitor and control single or a fleet of digital signage displays right from a desktop or laptop.

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