Hi guys,
I was frustrated to find out that I was not able to connect my newly bought bluetooth keyboard. I could pair it within Bluetooth settings, but it always shows "Paired but not connected".
Even more frustrating is that the developers of apps which allow for a working connection to the keyboard are asking around 10 USD for the app.
I don't care about any features like shortcut keys and such. I just need a connected keyboard.
I decided to write an app which exactly does just this. For free, as it should be!
Description
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A service which connects your bluetooth keyboard device.
Android 2.3 has support for HID devices but is not able to connect bluetooth keyboard devices correctly (yet).
This service automates the connection to your keyboard.
There are no extra features like key mappings a.s. (yet)
WARNING
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This application needs superuser permissions!
You can find this app in Google Market. Search for "easyconnect"
BTW If anyone finds any bugs, or inability to connect a certain device, please let me know the details and I will work on a fix.
Thanx for sending logs, I fixed a number of issues:
- No longer scanning every 15 seconds. Instead it monitors connection state.
- Connection now is event driven. Device nearby will connect it.
- added notification of device connection
- Preventing Android from closing the service after a certain time.
Keep sending bug reports guys!
Compatible keyboard devices (from user comments):
- iGo Stowaway XTBT01
- CVDH-A66 Mini Bluetooth Keyboard for Smartphones, iPad, iPhone, PS3, More
- Apple Bluetooth keyboard
- Freedom i-Connex Mini
- Broadcom Keyboard Device (German keyboard with annoyingly positioned connect button which needs a toothpick to be pressed)
Latest update:
Finally got some time to work on stability.
Let me know if you have troubles getting it to work for you.
Working on keymaps ;-) as well
Fixed a FC on startup after installation
Greetz,
Mike
Wow this is perfect! Thanks so much!
Previously I had a shortcut to bluetooth settings on my home screen to try and connect as quick as possible, but this is 50 times better. I don't have to enter any stupid pins and make sure I press the pairing button at the right time.
I did have one little hang and lag which finished with a force close. But all good nonetheless.
I'm using a mini bluetooth keyboard with a N1 running CM6.1.1 btw which I typed this message with.
5 stars on the market
Edit: Wait, so as long as you're using this app, you dont need a ROM that supports Bluetooth HID devices? As long as your phone is rooted, anyone can use this?
If so, hats off to you.
For as far as I can see anyone can use this, because in a way, the bluetooth stack is actually available for Human Interface Devices in Android starting at 2.1 update 1 if I'm correct.
mikesomething98 said:
For as far as I can see anyone can use this, because in a way, the bluetooth stack is actually available for Human Interface Devices in Android starting at 2.1 update 1 if I'm correct.
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Yeah but i experienced something different. I just got my phone from a Samsung Repair center because i kinda bricked it while upgrading to froyo so i had them upgrade it. Since i was already in a mall, i decided to visit a powermac store to try out the apple bluetooth keyboard that is reported to be working with the Galaxy S froyo update. Unfortunately i was not able to detect the bluetooth keyboard, and made a fool of myself because the apple guy that was assisting me didn't believe at first that a mobile phone was able to use a bluetooth keyboard (yeah, he didn't know that the iphone 4 that they were selling was compatible with the bluetooth keyboard.. i didn't tell him though..)
so maybe this app might work.. im going to try it out when i return to that powermac store..
The code is there, but it's not complete. It doesn't connect hid devices by itself yet. My app takes care of that. good luck trying it.
I noticed some bug already, so there will be an update very soon.
I can't find this app on the marketplace when i search for easyconnect, how did you guys find it..?
Edit.,
Found it here., www appbrain.com/app/bluetooth-keyboard-easyconnect/net.mybesttools.btkbservice
Does this with with a Sense phone too?
thanks
This is phenomenal! Thanks so much. Using with a iGo/ThinkOutside Stowaway ultra-slim keyboard and it works great. I've used BlueKeyboard, but it has a number of issues: frequent force-close errors, easily-accidentally-triggered switches into Japanese mode. This is much easier and more reliable! Thank you!
Thanks its great
Thanks! But should really be supported by default in android and without root! Hopefully google will fix this in a new version of android.
hejhej.ac said:
Thanks! But should really be supported by default in android and without root! Hopefully google will fix this in a new version of android.
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Click to collapse
Vary ture.
I can't find it on the market ? Does it not work on 2.1?
Sent from my ComBadge
You'll have to test it to find out. ;-)
Latest update v0.3 :
- no longer scanning for bluetooth devices. Instead it checks for connectivity with the pheripheral device directly trough a socket connection.
mikesomething98 said:
,
I could pair it within Bluetooth settings, but it always shows "Paired but not connected".
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Hi,
Will this work with any Bluetooth device? I have the exact same problem with my cars head unit.
In Froyo it will connect if I either go into the bluetooth settings and press on the connection or if I turn bluetooth off and on.
In Gingerbread its the same as Froyo except for added annoyance it asks for the pin each time.
Thanks
Edit: Just tried it and it doesnt work, would it be hard to make a version for phone / media profiles?
A device as such is not a Human Input Device. As you can see A2DP is supported starting at cupcake. http://source.android.com/porting/bluetooth.html
If you want the ability to wirelessly stream music, the head unit must support Bluetooth A2DP. Currently, the majority of Bluetooth car stereos only support the Handsfree profile, which only allows you to make and receive phone calls via the head unit.
This post might be of help:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=649059
It will not come up in the Market
That's all i get when i search for "Easyconnect"
A quote from Android Developers:
How Filters Work in Android Market
Android Market uses the filter restrictions described below to determine whether to show your application to a user who is browsing or searching for applications on a given device. When determining whether to display your app, Market checks the device's hardware and software capabilities, as well as it's carrier, location, and other characteristics. It then compares those against the restrictions and dependencies expressed by the application itself, in its manifest, .apk, and publishing details. If the application is compatible with the device according to the filter rules, Market displays the application to the user. Otherwise, Market hides your application from search results and category browsing.
You can use the filters described below to control whether Market shows or hides your application to users. You can request any combination of the available filters for your app — for example, you could set a minSdkVersion requirement of "4" and set smallScreens="false" in the app, then when uploading the app to Market you could target European countries (carriers) only. Android Market's filters would prevent the application from being visible on any device that did not match all three of these requirements.
A filtered app is not visible within Market, even if a user specifically requests the app by clicking a deep link that points directly to the app's ID within Market. All filtering restrictions are associated with an application's version and can change between versions. For example:
•If you publish a new version of your app with stricter restrictions, the app will not be visible to users for whom it is filtered, even if those users were able see the previous version.
•If a user has installed your application and you publish an upgrade that makes the app invisible to the user, the user will not see that an upgrade is available. So it means you have a device with a Android version which is not compatible.
I could lower the minimum version for you so you can at least try the app.
I cannot lower it any further then SDK version 5 because it lacks some needed functionality in the bluez stack.
I found this on appbrain and i see it says android 2.2 and up.
My Samsung Galaxy S Epic is running a stock 2.1 rom. Thanks for the offer but that's totally up to you if you want to let the app on to all the 2.1 phones. It just sounds cool and something useful to have installed. I don't have a bluetooth keyboard
mikesomething98 said:
If you want the ability to wirelessly stream music, the head unit must support Bluetooth A2DP. Currently, the majority of Bluetooth car stereos only support the Handsfree profile, which only allows you to make and receive phone calls via the head unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for replying, my head unit does support A2DP and it works fine once I manually initiate a connection. The problem is it doesn't connect automatically the same way your Bluetooth keyboard doesn't connect on its own.
[Updated version available]
Guys,
I just upped v0.5. Let me know your experiences.
The minSDK version is lowered to make it available to android versions 2.0 and up. I was not able to test that, so please let me know if it does/doesn't.
It doesn't seem to be working for me anymore.
The first version worked but drained battery like crazy.
With the newest version from the market, I turn BT on, put keyboard into discoverable and nothing happens.
0.1 would connect after both those steps...
Hello everyone, I have been using this and it seems to work great with our phones, I'm currently accessing it through the "bridge" option so i cant test the actual remote desktop or screenshot apps to see if they truely do work with our phones, but the file explorer, webcam and sms apps work GREAT
The "Remote Web Desktop" is a great application that allows you to remotely access many of your android systems commonly used features remotely from any web browser; my personal favorite is the ability to retrieve and send text messages. Other things are available such as the ability to navigate through the file system on the device from a PC. One nice thing is that "SmartDog Software" does that other applications don’t, is it allows you to "bridge" your device through their web portal in case your device isn’t on the same network as the computer. I highly recommend this application
here is a link to it in the market
https://market.android.com/details?id=net.xdevelop.rm&feature=search_result
Anyone else used this???
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App
Been using this for a while. I've considered rolling out my own version as a lot of the features are still iffy if implemented at all. But for sms it's excellent.
Just installed this... this is really nice... i like it... screen shot capture aint workin... hopefully most of this stuff will work..
edit: spoke to soon.. none hardly of the features are working on cm7. uninstalled...
I have been searching a lot about different file transferring apps. After googling a lot I kept stumbling into three apps; Xender, SuperBeam & SHAREit. I found that Xender can trasnfer file with just WiFi (without WiFi Direct) by using Virtual Router & Client concept. But I couldn't find anywhere if SuperBeam & SHAREit can do the same... All my SmartPhones have WiFi Direct & so do my friends' SmartPhones. So there is no way of checking if they work without WiFi Direct. So can anyone please confirm or verify, if SuperBeam & SHAREit apps will work wihtout WiFi Direct?
I have a small question, will Xender work with just Bluetooth (without WiFi & WiFi Direct)?
Hi Satya,
Xender uses Wi-Fi direct technology which means that it can transfers data up to 50 times Bluetooth speed, Most of the Smartphone today have Wi-Fi
There is no reason to use Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi direct so Xender never carry Bluetooth functions.
Thanks
Firstly your question does not belong to this forum
And answer is superbeam can also use hotspot to send files, for that you need to go into superbeam's setting and then go into sending and select preferred direct mode as hotspot (instead of auto)
AnMobi said:
Hi Satya,
Xender uses Wi-Fi direct technology which means that it can transfers data up to 50 times Bluetooth speed, Most of the Smartphone today have Wi-Fi
There is no reason to use Bluetooth instead of Wi-Fi direct so Xender never carry Bluetooth functions.
Thanks
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Click to collapse
I asked about Bluetooth compatibility because I wanted to cover all bases. And thanks for clarifying that. But don't you think it will be cool if Xender was able to send file even when wifi and wifi direct facilities are unavailable?
I've been messing around with file transfer apps myself. On the play store there's "WiFi...." by app dev dubloo (I think) its been a bit since. Anyway, that app allows files from device to a computer with an easy to use interface via web browser. I guess the app acts like a server. If you are interested... ICE COLD APPS have *Servers*/*Synchronize* "Ultimate" by way of the play store. Plus, there is a support or feedback thread for each here on XDA. If you were looking at using superbeam I would recommend picking up the pro key as well. The main app functions well on its own, like, the pro key adds just enough at the right price to say heck with it and pick it up for $3 or so. There are a couple different options to choose from before starting a file transfer, too. And I'm pretty sure+don't quote me+ that each option has a brief description of the way the files move from device to device. Also, there is a windows app to compliment. Last, certainly not least -SimPfile(also on play) I think using WiFi direct. Like, both devices need to be on the same WiFi network. Less options than superbeam, no pro key. And for what you pay for it, its free, BTW... It gets the job done if you are looking for a straight forward app without the bells and whistles. And just to name drop, FX file explorer has a small pay once add-on for media sharing also. Feeling adventurous? Tired of of the run of the mill apps? Give that a shot.... Its been in production and updated since either the end of GB or the beginning of ICS. Each of those apps has been good to me.✌?
just an edit - browsing xda app section http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=55878697
Most phones today have wifi direct. However, very few of these can actually use it to share files the way samsungs can. Of course, there are many 3rd party apps that can do it, and some quite well, but the thing they all have in common is that the app must be installed on both devices. (Unless using a web address on a browser on the receiving device, which is not so user friendly as apps like superbeam, or the samsung wifi direct share.)
Wouldn't it be great if all android devices came with a preinstalled app to do send large files back and forth, eith share options in all apps, like bluetooth share, only for wifi direct? Because lets face it, while blutooth is certainly useful, it's just too slow for anything more than a few picture or a short video.
So why not make a feature request in code.google.com, asking for a wifi direct share app to to be preinstalled in all devices, (in new android versions, that is, just to add another app to the gapps we already have,) or even just to be able to install from play store, just like google camera, the only difference being that all devices will be able to receive the file the way all phones can receive an incoming bluetooth file..
If this isea interests you, Post here, and if I see that thete is enough interest to actually make this worthwhile, I will post a new topic there and we can try getting as many people as possible to vote for it there, and maybe we might get our wish and the next version of android will include this! I can't believe it would be very difficult for google to implement.
So, does anyone else think this is a good idea? If you do then tell me and lets see if we can actually get built in wifi direct sharing on android!
This is one area where Android has failed miserably, and just like App Data backup, Google doesn't seem to be interested in fixing this problem.
THE REQUIREMENT
Ability to transfer files to other devices WITHOUT the use of internet or an intermediary device such as the router in a LAN.
Apps like SHAREit, Zapya, etc. were always a hit or a miss. They NEVER worked reliably. I have tried several apps in this category and it was the same story with all of them.
Has this problem been fixed today?
What is the best way to transfer files between two or more devices (Android, iOS, Windows, macOS) WITHOUT using internet or being connected to the same WiFi network?
Cross-platform support would be great.
Excerpt from here
You might want to take a look at WiFi Direct and alike. There are several apps on the Playstore making use of this, like e.g.
SuperBeam | WiFi Direct Share (with a fall-back to "hotspot mode" in case of WiFi Direct problems: one device creates a hotspot, the other connects to it)
WiFiShare : Share Files Freely states it brings WiFi-Direct like functionality on lower version of Android, it also enables to send large size files to multiple people at a time -- which I understand as it does not depend on WiFi Direct, but emulates it itself.
Fast File Transfer utilizes WiFi tethering to achieve the same. The description states you could even send files to an iPh**e (censored It plugs into the "Share" menu.
WiFi Shoot! WiFi Direct uses WiFi direct
One of those should be fitting your needs.
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xXx yYy said:
Excerpt from here
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If you check, 2 of the links don't exist, and the other 2 seem to have been abandoned by their developers.
Internet is cheap today, and cloud/ streaming services are becoming the norm today. Still, there are situations where we may want to transfer large amounts of data between devices while on the move. A proper solution (like AirDrop from Apple) doesn't exist in Android today, unfortunately.
As I mentioned in OP, I have tried several apps for a long time and they were all a hit or miss. None of them were reliable. The issue was devices not showing up in the hotspot that these apps would create. So the question of transferring files wouldn't arise.