Develop Bugs

Can someone guess at this adapters function

Hi all,
The atom has just passed FCC testing and in the documents was the attached picture. Can anyone tell me what they think this adapter is??
I am trying to find a method of bringing the VGA screen out onto a monitor without the need for a PC or activesync, to provide universals instead of laptops for my staff. This may be the answer or can anyone suggest whether it would be theoretically possible to use a wifi enabled monitor and software such as nydots new pocketpc software.
If you have any other ideas for possible methods of turning the universal into a desktop/laptop replacement please let me know.
thanks
jayman

Looks like it could be a dsub monitor lead, but then again, resolution is low so it could be a serial lead?
However, consider the x50v for tv out.
Alternatively, see if this works for pda > monitor
http://www.innobec.com/en/index.php
Tell us how you get on.
V

vijay555 said:
Looks like it could be a dsub monitor lead, but then again, resolution is low so it could be a serial lead?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The dsub's are definitely only 9 pins, so it's not a VGA connector. I have no idea what it is... it looks like two mini usb connections, one standard usb connection, and two serial connections.
Alternatively, see if this works for pda > monitor
http://www.innobec.com/en/index.php
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the opposite of what he wants. It lets you extend your PC's desktop onto your PPC.
That said, though, I just downloaded the trial version and I'm trying it now. It's seriously cool. I have absolutely no idea what I might use this for, but it's still really cool.
Brett

BrettS - I understand that sidewindow works PC to PDA (and it is great, although a bit gimicky ), but I wrote PDA to PC so that he could investigate if they supply anything like that.
I can't think of any solutions that capture the PDA's screen at fullspeed really...they're all quite choppy so not ideal.
V

looks like a x2 9pin serial adaptor to x2 mini usb connectors. and a power input to deliver 5v to the JJ for mains power.
i think it could be alot simpler cable than percieved

You could try this, but I'm not sure if it works with WM5 or not...
http://www.mobilityelectronics.com/handheld/presentation/pitch-duo.htm

Thanks for your input, I have had a reply from O2 stating that this will not be compatable with the Universal.
However they did state that they are working on their own solution that should be available within the next few months. Which will also allow time for ROM upgrades to repair early video bugs and speed issues.
I will keep you updated as I learn more.
The idea is that as the majority of my staffs work will be calls, short emails, reviewing small compressed videos and data input into a web based database, that the universal can provide all these functions. A 15" screen that provides a minimum of 640x480 resolution will be easier on the eyes and a bluetooth keyboard can be provided for touch typists. This will save on desktops laptops and mobile phones.
I hope O2 provide a solution that provides a multiplug such as on the XDA2 expantion pack. This will then allow you to use hotel TVs as monitors.
It allows you to play video and presentations stored on your XdaII through a PC monitor/Projector via VGA jack or TV via video or s-video jack.
Resolution supports:
For LCD display: VGA 800x600 and 640x480
For TV output: 640x480 NTSC and PAL system
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

anything which is usb connected would require the device to be able to act as usb host to be able to transfer slow! tv or monitor out using usb
non of the HTC devices do usb host
some say that universal does but nobody have been able to confirm it
if it did one could use one of the usb video cards you can get
that is if there were drivers for pda's for those

I think that replacing laptops would be a VERY bad idea; JJ is a far cry from laptop power, the office apps are seriously crippled compared to the real thing, and emailing is not html. And all at twice the price of a small laptop...don't think so.

Backpack or TV-Out for Exec?

Ok, just wondering if there is any news or rumors about a backpack deveice for the exec like there is for the Xda IIi? or even just a TV-Out that maybe conects via the mini-usb?
Just wondering!

I did want some feed bsck from somebody! please tell me, also had the idea of an sd double adapter, say for two transflash (micro-sd) cards or if possible the normal ones, something that yould effectivly give two sd slots!

I was researching a while ago in the same topic.
Basically I was dreaming of having such a backpack that has the following:
- Extra battery
- Extra storage, can be a CF slot, or even better, HDD.
- VGA output
The XDA II has such backpack built for it.
Unfortunately, the Universal does not have the communication/universal connector like the previous HTC PPCs anymore. And the mini USB is not a USB host either, leave out not many option anymore to hook up something into it, besides wireless connectivity, such as Bluetooth or IrDA.
If somebody can engineer something like the backpack or make it a docking then that has everything listed above, plus a USB host
Then the Universal will be much more useful.

Look here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=30825&highlight=
I still have not heard anymore about this though - I will chase them up this week.

Thought About the Laptop Dock

I was thinking about this yesterday and I don't see why this wouldn't be possible.
According to Motorola all the Laptop Dock is, is a screen keyboard and mouse. In the interest of saving money, why not just take an old netbook, take out the internals and convert it? I'm not exactly skilled with electronics but I don't see why this wouldn't be possible, you would need to either keep the DC board (if it is separate) or remove it from the motherboard itself. Then it would just be a matter of converting the LCD to HDMI Input and linking the USB's to the Atrix. At which point you just plug your phone via 2 cables and voila, it would work. Granted you would clearly need to change the connectors for the Keyboard and trackpad, but strip down an HDMI Multimedia dock and I could easily see this being done and saving money. (easily being subjective)

That might be challenging. Adding an HDMI input to a screen that wasn't designed with it is very difficult and potentially expensive. Most netbooks are using analog inputs and HDMI is digital.
The main way to go from analog to digital is a video capture device that encodes the analog signal. Those tend to have a fair bit of latency and are neither small nor cheap.
If you started with a display that supported HDMI input you could build a home brew laptop from that. Power might be an issue at that point though.
From what I have seen the Webtop is merely a feature of pluggin in the HDMI cable and selecting the appliction. The HDMI dock is not going to add much value other than be a convient and nice form factor.
I have considered doing somthing like you are suggesting but I am struggling with the HDMI issue. Currently the only option seems to be taking a display that supports HDMI and converting it into a homebrew laptop. At this time I can't find a digital display that is smaller that 20". An 11-15 inch screen that supports HDMI doesn't seem to exist.

I have thought of the same thing. The sticking point in my mind is the HDMI connection to the screen. The keyboard and mouse are likely just regular usb devices.
The next problem is that my Frankenstein device may cost $100+ to create and will likely look like crap.
The next problem is that the webtop appears to be locked down unless you have a tethering plan.
My conclusion from all of this is that it is cheaper and cleaner to buy a netbook and either add tethering only when necessary or root the device and add barnacle wifi.

If I'm not mistaken though, a netbook with an 11.6 inch display probably isn't only analog. I have a Toshiba T215-S1150 as well as an Asus EeePC that I'm looking into doing such with.
Granted off the top of my head a Pixel Qi display may accomplish such but I'm not sure if that is a Digital Input display.
I could be wrong though but I thought that in the end it's an LCD panel, the inputs are sodered on as to how you want to allow a Video Input.

You say the laptop dock is locked down without a tethering plan, one thing I did notice is you can buy the HDMI dock and it doesn't require it. You can use it with webtop also, I don't see how AT&T can determine if you are using Webtop on a Laptop or on a Desktop. Especially since from what I can tell, plugging in an HDMI cable will bring up the option for webtop also.
I don't see how the Frankenstein device is going to look bad especially since you will be removing most of the internals, you just remove a VGA port or plug an HDMI cable into the HDMI out. Then you use the USB as it was intended to connect the device to the rest of the internals. I know I'm not an electrical engineer or anything, but I know enough of the basics to see how this could work.
krkeegan said:
I have thought of the same thing. The sticking point in my mind is the HDMI connection to the screen. The keyboard and mouse are likely just regular usb devices.
The next problem is that my Frankenstein device may cost $100+ to create and will likely look like crap.
The next problem is that the webtop appears to be locked down unless you have a tethering plan.
My conclusion from all of this is that it is cheaper and cleaner to buy a netbook and either add tethering only when necessary or root the device and add barnacle wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

In regards to the tethering plan:
As I understand it the only requirement to have the tethering plan is to get the subsidy on the Laptop dock.
If you purchase the laptop dock outside a subsidized bundle then there is no need for a tethering plan.
As naturefreak85 said. The dock will allow webtop to launch as will a basic HDMI cable.
There is a video on you tube of a guy doing a demo where he plugs in an HDMI cable and webtop gives an option to launch.
AT&T is merely foisting the tethering plan on people who get the laptop dock on the $500 bundle. If you want to drop $500 on teh dock seperatly there is no requirement.
Mod's and Homebrew can look good. Thats up to the artist. For me its not about circumventing the $500 dock. Its about building somthing cool.
In regards to the HDMI/netbook thing... I did a little more thinking on how that works.
The motherboard has an LCD controller on it which sits between the video adapter on the MB and the LCD.
It goes:
Motherboard->Video Adapter (on silicon)->LCD controller->ribbon cable->LCD
There is also a LCD backlight and inverter involved.
If you just try to plug into the ribbon cable you loose the controller (and backlight inverter)
The contorller is the missing link and they are difficult to purchase on their own in any cost effective manner.
That is where canabalizing a monitor would workas it has a controller with it. The netbook/laptop has thecontroller embeded or loosely couple with the MB.
The hunt goes on.

I'll have to do some research on the schematics of my 1000HA and see the connection the display has to the motherboard. I figure it could be done in terms of converting the display to HDMI, just a matter of figuring out the right pinout and still supplying the right amount of power.
I would love to bring this to fruition because I've never done too much modding, but always been interested in such. I envision the ability to lift up the keyboard and plug the phone in, then lay the keyboard right back down. To the average viewer, it's a laptop but you are keeping your phone nicely protected/connected in it especially nice on an airplane. Much harder to leave a laptop behind vs a phone.

emoose said:
As I understand it the only requirement to have the tethering plan is to get the subsidy on the Laptop dock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We will likely found out the answer to this on Monday, but the ATT page seems to say that tethering is required for use of firefox in the webtop mode.
The Atrix page on ATT's website states:
Code:
Full Firefox® browser use with AT&T Mobile Broadband requires DataPro 4GB Personal plan.
** Although, on second thought, that may be an "ATT Requirement" but it doesn't necessarily mean that the browser won't work.

Right as I read that it means, in order to use Webtop on 3G you need the tethering plan, but at the same time, I'm not sure how they can differentiate between desktop firefox if you change the ID tag of it. Plus they don't restrict it if used on WiFi.
krkeegan said:
We will likely found out the answer to this on Monday, but the ATT page seems to say that tethering is required for use of firefox in the webtop mode.
The Atrix page on ATT's website states:
Code:
Full Firefox® browser use with AT&T Mobile Broadband requires DataPro 4GB Personal plan.
** Although, on second thought, that may be an "ATT Requirement" but it doesn't necessarily mean that the browser won't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

naturefreak85 said:
I'll have to do some research on the schematics of my 1000HA and see the connection the display has to the motherboard. I figure it could be done in terms of converting the display to HDMI, just a matter of figuring out the right pinout and still supplying the right amount of power.
I would love to bring this to fruition because I've never done too much modding, but always been interested in such. I envision the ability to lift up the keyboard and plug the phone in, then lay the keyboard right back down. To the average viewer, it's a laptop but you are keeping your phone nicely protected/connected in it especially nice on an airplane. Much harder to leave a laptop behind vs a phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue is laptop displays typically use LVDS, which is very incompatible with DVI/HDMI signals. You basically need a DVI>LVDS board, which will run into the hundreds of dollars to buy like that.
Unless your laptop uses DisplayPort for it's display connection (unlikely on a netbook,) in which case it would basically be a matter of including a 'cheap' DVI>Displayport converter then pin-matching it to the screen.
I'm actively working on a way to achieve it, too, though (with my Asus Eee 1215T.)

Sjael said:
The issue is laptop displays typically use LVDS, which is very incompatible with DVI/HDMI signals. You basically need a DVI>LVDS board, which will run into the hundreds of dollars to buy like that.
Unless your laptop uses DisplayPort for it's display connection (unlikely on a netbook,) in which case it would basically be a matter of including a 'cheap' DVI>Displayport converter then pin-matching it to the screen.
I'm actively working on a way to achieve it, too, though (with my Asus Eee 1215T.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doing a little bit more research and we have a possible solution, it may require splicing out the HDMI cable to get audio off the connector but this could work.....and it's $29
http://www.google.com/products/cata...og_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCAQ8wIwAA#

naturefreak85 said:
Doing a little bit more research and we have a possible solution, it may require splicing out the HDMI cable to get audio off the connector but this could work.....and it's $29
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a board designed for a specific miniITX motherboard - it takes whatever the mobo puts out and turns it into DVI and LVDS. If you could figure out what signals you need to provide to that board, then make those out of an HDMI signal, you might have a way in. Not sure just what functions that board actually provides, and it would be a rather extensive project to find out. I'm guessing that since it has a fair bit of circuitry behind the DVI port, it's not a natively DVI/HDMI-compatible signal.
That means a bit of reverse-engineering though, which I'm not *too* keen on doing. My current line of thought involves using some form of portable media player with a decent screen, since they typically accept some form of video input, haxxed into a case with a USB keyboard and (maybe) touchpad. The hard part is finding a usable screen that is actually better than the one on the Atrix.
That, or find a broken (not the screen! ) modern, high-end laptop that uses Displayport for it's display..

Possible to make "shell" to turn it into a netbook?

(Apologies if this has been asked before or if it's mind-bogglingly retarded.)
What we have with the SGS2 is remarkable - it's as powerful as a netbook, with video-out and USB host functionality.
It seems to me that carrying such a super-phone alongside a netbook would be a waste of money and effort, when the processor in the SGS2 is more than up to scratch.
So what would be the obstacles in making a "shell" that provided a laptop-like keyboard, mouse and screen, with an SGS2 where the processor, RAM and so on would normally be housed? (The SGS2 would be removable, of course.)
These are the ones I can think of:
USB/Bluetooth keyboard support - may have to be Bluetooth keyboard.
Touch input? (May have to be Bluetooth mouse, but mouse input is possible in Android)
Connecting a monitor and USB device through the same USB port (not necessary if keyboard/mouse are Bluetooth)
Battery life - just make the shell house a fat battery!
So let's say we could piece all that together - a keyboard, mouse, battery and screen in one shell. It could come out considerably cheaper and lighter than a netbook, with all the SGS2's media playback abilities, internet without having to tether, and no need to change apps when going from netbook to phone.
There's probably something I haven't thought of, but I couldn't resist posting.
Thoughts?

I would love to see something like this happen. The SGS2 will be my first Android phone, coming from WinMo, so I've no idea what is available or is possible with the OS. One reason I bought this phone was because I wanted to connect a Bluetooth keyboard (and mouse?) to it and keep it mounted on a dock or stand right below my two monitors at work, serving as an internet/chat/email computer, instead of taking my phone AND laptop to work every day.
Now I may be mistaken, but MHL doesn't support simultaneous USB and HDMI out, so if you wanted to connect input devices AND have monitor out, I'd guess the keyboard and mouse would have to be Bluetooth, as you've mentioned. One thing that interests me is something the Wiki entry mentions:
"The HDTV remote will control the connected device with guaranteed mixed manufacturer interoperability."
So perhaps one day we might see some SGS2 "lapdock" like the Atrix?
Check out what the guy says at 8:50 in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtwTcnR0hqA
He says, basically, that he can connect the device to a tv through MHL, connect a BT keyboard and mouse, then sit back on his couch and use his device like a living room PC.

Bump...
Any news?

I put it in the top lid of my logitech dinovo mini with some rubber bands.
Looks like sh*t, but works really well!
//Gunnar

You won't be able to do a full netbook, because the microUSB connector on the SGS2 can be used either as microUSB or MHL (HDMI video out + charger input); the two functions of the connector are mutually exclusive. So, if you're piping the SGS2's video out to the shell's display, you have no USB, and if you're using the USB, there's no external video.
You might be able to use some kind of remoting software to work around this & use the USB functionality of the SGS2; the shell would have something like a VNC client installed, then connect to server software on the SGS2 (over WiFi or BT networking).

Hm, are you 100% sure about them being mutually exclusive?

GunnarKarlsson said:
I put it in the top lid of my logitech dinovo mini with some rubber bands.
Looks like sh*t, but works really well!
//Gunnar
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, but I would still prefer a full size keyboard.
How is it connected? USB? BT?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

3waygeek said:
You might be able to use some kind of remoting software to work around this & use the USB functionality of the SGS2; the shell would have something like a VNC client installed, then connect to server software on the SGS2 (over WiFi or BT networking).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea how this can be realized. Afaik, there is a VNC client installed, but no server.
Guess it is easier to try what is mentioned above :
Use NHL to get the monitor working and BT for the keyboard. Would be good to have some profile, which enables the BT keyboard when NHL is plugged, maybe through locale or so.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

I know this thread is kinda old now, but some recent tech news brought this idea back to memory for me. ICE Computer showed a docking tablet they call Trinity at Computex 2011, which apparently can be made to dock with nearly any phone or even a PC module. I didn't find too much info that wasn't regurgitated between sites, but it sounds like they won't be selling it themselves, rather they'll sell it to other companies who want one for their device.
My hope is they'll sell some kind of universal version that takes different phones and maybe just requires a different-shaped module for different phones. Here's a link to the Engadget post, but there are other pages that describe what it does and when it should be available.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/01/ice-computer-shows-off-trinity-modular-tablet-concept-aims-for/
Add a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, perhaps a stand, and voila!

Need a solution like this
1) MHL output to a tv/ monitor
2) Bluetooth keyboard and mouse work over HID profile
3) Remote Desktop software that allows use of external keyboard and mouse and which can output native resolution rather than just mirroring the screen.

[Q] OTG music for 2,500+ mile drive

Hi, apologies if this has been answered elsewhere ... I searched, and the similar threads were all much too involved for me. And some essentially outdated.
On my twice-yearly drives between NY and AZ, often on backroads, listening to music via cloud is not an option. And I want greater variety of music than storage on my GSM Galaxy Nexus -- rooted and running Slim Bean 4.3 build 2 [soon to be Slim Kat or whatever it'll be called] -- can handle without messing up performance and other functions.
So I think what I want is
to hook my thumb drive up to the phone
have a player app pull music from it on the fly, while on the road. Not just something I'll manually move files on and off of when I'm not driving.
I need to power the phone from the car's power. And thumb drives need power, too, right?
The selection of cables on ebay, etc., is daunting, and I don't understand the "host" aspect, so not sure whether just any offered Y cable with male USB (for thumb drive), male micro USB (to plug into phone) and female micro USB (to plug power cable into) will get that done. Also don't understand "A" vs. "B" variants of USB, except by appearance.
Plus I don't have the time before I start my drive for anything that ships directly from Asia, which can take up to a month.
Is what I want possible, and if so can anyone recommend a particular solution and particular vendor for delivery from North America to New York?

Am not an expert, but I haven't read any threads on attaching a USB drive to a GN. I also drive long distance and listen to music on my GN. Fortunately I have a 32GB GN, holds all my music. Also, my auto radio has an aux port, so hooking up the GN to the radio is a no brainer. I just use the normal auto charger to keep the GN juiced up.. If you have an aux port on your radio, another option is to simply buy a MP3 player that has the storage you need (they a pretty cheap these days)..

Nope!
Phone is 16GB, doesn't hold all of my music ... and I'm not replacing it. Car is 11 years old, doesn't have aux ... and I'm not replacing it. I use a bluetooth hands-free to bounce my music to FM radio. I want one device -- my phone -- to handle music, navs, and phone, in a coordinated manner, for the least distraction while driving. Even if no distraction while driving is even smarter!
Anybody else -- off-the-shelf correct cable that will charge the phone while playing my music from a thumb drive? Or similar SD card solution?