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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.
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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..
From what I can tell, the placement of the connectors is about right (width), but I think one of the connectors is upside down if you compare the EVO USB/HDMI and the Atrix USB/HDMI, so I am not sure that it would fit.
Next step in my brainstorm would be to use extension cables to compensate for the twisted connector, and rig up a jig/adapter plate to securely hold the EVO onto the laptop dock.
Once the hardware could be connected, we have to deal with software, firmware, kernels and the like. I've seen that HDMI mirroring is mostly done, and I imagine that the Motorola webtop software will be hacked/ported or cloned at some point. Although, even just running the EVO on the main screen would be sweet enough for me (for now).
I would declare it cooler than sliced bread if I could use my EVO with the Atrix laptop dock, or had something similar for my EVO. (if I could just get HDMI in, I'd use an old laptop as a shell).
Thoughts and ideas?
i seriously doubt it will work. although the microusb and hdmi might be the same, there is a lot on the software side that has to be done in order for the evo to work. its probably proprietary code, which wouldnt be a huge deal, but there wont be enough interest due to the fact the dock is 200 dollars. so it may be possible, but i wouldnt have my hopes up
I'm pretty stingy in general, although more liberal when it comes to technology and gadgets, and I don't feel that $200 would be wasted or expensive (more than that would quickly get too expensive though) on something like that. Maybe just because I have dreamed of doing something similar ever since I got my Sony u7 50p a few years back, but I still think it would be awesome!
USB host and full HDMI out are mostly driver module issues and would be covered by GPL. As far as the UI,a launcher switch triggered by "Dock Mode" is already in place, it would just need an options pop-up to select which mode you wanted to use like the USB does when you connect to a PC. Something like And-Win home screen would work as a desktop UI to start. The only issue I see would be if there's a validation check from the lapdock or media dock.
Last I looked (a while ago) I could not find any mention of people using/turning on USB host support on an EVO. Do you know anything about that? I'm not sure what the GPL is though...
You woulld be much better off (and cheaper) to buy a 13inch monitor, connect hdmi from evo to monitor, and use the FullHDMI app, with a bluetooth keyboard of course.
AllanonMage said:
From what I can tell, the placement of the connectors is about right (width), but I think one of the connectors is upside down if you compare the EVO USB/HDMI and the Atrix USB/HDMI, so I am not sure that it would fit.
Next step in my brainstorm would be to use extension cables to compensate for the twisted connector, and rig up a jig/adapter plate to securely hold the EVO onto the laptop dock.
Once the hardware could be connected, we have to deal with software, firmware, kernels and the like. I've seen that HDMI mirroring is mostly done, and I imagine that the Motorola webtop software will be hacked/ported or cloned at some point. Although, even just running the EVO on the main screen would be sweet enough for me (for now).
I would declare it cooler than sliced bread if I could use my EVO with the Atrix laptop dock, or had something similar for my EVO. (if I could just get HDMI in, I'd use an old laptop as a shell).
Thoughts and ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The connectors aren't even CLOSE.
The motorola webtop stuff is actually a full linux environment, and when it boots up it uses a whole core of the tegra.
Keep in mind the atrix is still "running" android on the other core.
Even if this WAS possible, it would be so entirely laggy it would not be worth it at all. (And having tried the dock for the atrix, it's a complete waste of money in my honest opinion. _ANY_ netbook priced at ~$250 USD outperforms it.)
Hate to break it to you, but no, you'll never see it "ported."
As far as I can see, the best you're going to get is hdmi out (to a regular screen) and maybe once someone gets around to enabling the proper USB option host based devices. (keyboard, etc. But enjoy hacking your cables up to make a proper adaptor)
I don't suppose you have a lead on anyone (or thread) working on USB host for the EVO do you?
While you may be able to mirror on the laptops screen and have it charge. The only thing thats seemingly impossible is to make use of the touchpad through a hardwired connection. You're better off to trying to jerry rig a bluetooth keyboard w/ integrated track pad, a tiny HDMI enabled screen, and a battery source.
AllanonMage said:
I don't suppose you have a lead on anyone (or thread) working on USB host for the EVO do you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The closest thing I've found was a "needs testing" driver for the HD2 port of the Evo ROM. There doesn't seem to be much interest from the devs.
Sounds like a plan. You should pick one up asap.
ryohei47 said:
i seriously doubt it will work. although the microusb and hdmi might be the same, there is a lot on the software side that has to be done in order for the evo to work. its probably proprietary code, which wouldnt be a huge deal, but there wont be enough interest due to the fact the dock is 200 dollars. so it may be possible, but i wouldnt have my hopes up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally have the lapdock AND the OG EVO works with it (using AnthraX) although I had to twist the HDMI cable it does so on screen...
It works in Landscape as well as Portrait but the USB's do NOT work with it...
any idea on how to get it working?
je2854 said:
I personally have the lapdock AND the OG EVO works with it (using AnthraX) although I had to twist the HDMI cable it does so on screen...
It works in Landscape as well as Portrait but the USB's do NOT work with it...
any idea on how to get it working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reviving an ancient request. Anyone has this working? I tried like above and got the hdmi and charging working, but not usbs...
fflakes said:
Reviving an ancient request. Anyone has this working? I tried like above and got the hdmi and charging working, but not usbs...
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Click to collapse
I'm sorry buddy I have switched company's but I believe it is just a matter of drivers needed to be installed
Hi all, I'm from Sonr Labs, we just released a universal plug in speaker dock for android with a remote control (it uses the headphone jack for both data and audio). The app that powers it is open source and there's a dead simple API (for integrating thumbs up/down etc into your app)
Is this of interest? If so, I'm happy to answer questions, etc. I can't post the URL because I'm too new here, but hopefully if its of interest, then someone more senior can post the Sonr Labs website.
What advantages over something like this would your system offer. This one works via the micro usb port and also has BT capability. Being micro usb it actually charges the device as well. I am not tearing down your product just asking for a breakdown of the advantages is all.
fair question, the idea is just easier and more reliable than bluetooth. Our feeling was if you are plugging it in anyway, easier to eliminate pairing, etc.
JoeBorn said:
fair question, the idea is just easier and more reliable than bluetooth. Our feeling was if you are plugging it in anyway, easier to eliminate pairing, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds interesting and will keep eyes on the progress...
Hi Everybody!
I've been looking on forum for a thread similar but i couln't find one, so i'll try to explain what i'm trying to do with my phone and let's see if someone already got it.
Well, since i got the SGS3 on my hands for the fist time, i could feel how much hardware it does have and thinking about how much it's portable and easy to take, so i start to thinking if is posible to make some kind of "DeskDock" with some accesories.
I have a Logitech Unifying keyboard and a mouse wich means that with only one dongle i can connect both devices to it. Last week i brought a OTG cable and i tryed to connect it on my phone and it worked almost perfectly (some issues with keyboard layout, but nothing else), i got impressed that all functions keys from my keyboard was working.
Ok, got this point i was thinking how could i connect my OTG cable and also a MHL cable, so i can have HDMI-OUT and my keyboard and mouse working.
If this work i can have a totally functional desktop with 24 inches screen. I know that maybe people wont see any sense making it, but in my case i don't have a Netbook (i don't even like) and if i could get this working, i was thinking about run linux on my phone and get a full desktop experience.
Is anybody there who tried it?
I was thinking about some kind of USB HUB, but i have no idea if my phone would support it...
topfreitas said:
Hi Everybody!
I've been looking on forum for a thread similar but i couln't find one, so i'll try to explain what i'm trying to do with my phone and let's see if someone already got it.
Well, since i got the SGS3 on my hands for the fist time, i could feel how much hardware it does have and thinking about how much it's portable and easy to take, so i start to thinking if is posible to make some kind of "DeskDock" with some accesories.
I have a Logitech Unifying keyboard and a mouse wich means that with only one dongle i can connect both devices to it. Last week i brought a OTG cable and i tryed to connect it on my phone and it worked almost perfectly (some issues with keyboard layout, but nothing else), i got impressed that all functions keys from my keyboard was working.
Ok, got this point i was thinking how could i connect my OTG cable and also a MHL cable, so i can have HDMI-OUT and my keyboard and mouse working.
If this work i can have a totally functional desktop with 24 inches screen. I know that maybe people wont see any sense making it, but in my case i don't have a Netbook (i don't even like) and if i could get this working, i was thinking about run linux on my phone and get a full desktop experience.
Is anybody there who tried it?
I was thinking about some kind of USB HUB, but i have no idea if my phone would support it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are many OTHER threads already with people working on this
:
ATM not possible.. yet.
scarrmrcc said:
there are many OTHER threads already with people working on this
:
ATM not possible.. yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok thanks (Y) BTW i didn't find any other thread related with accessories. I only saw a couple of people talking about run linux without using VNC :cyclops:
I'll keeping looking on internet to see if i can get something new :victory:
topfreitas said:
Ok thanks (Y) BTW i didn't find any other thread related with accessories. I only saw a couple of people talking about run linux without using VNC :cyclops:
I'll keeping looking on internet to see if i can get something new :victory:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just look on this subforum for MHL and OTG.
Why not just by an "android PC" or the android TV box. It is basically a powerful tablet computer in a 3 inch square box with HDMI, two or three usb ports, wireless wifi and and SD card port. Cost less than $75 or you can spend more and even get a dual core . I have one on both of my big screen tv's with a wireless mouse (but for pc application you just use a combo keyboard mouse. Much easier and much more simple.
insight3fl said:
Why not just by an "android PC" or the android TV box. It is basically a powerful tablet computer in a 3 inch square box with HDMI, two or three usb ports, wireless wifi and and SD card port. Cost less than $75 or you can spend more and even get a dual core . I have one on both of my big screen tv's with a wireless mouse (but for pc application you just use a combo keyboard mouse. Much easier and much more simple.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For most of us, it is the ability to take our "PC" with us, as a working tablet. For others, it is that when we get home, we want to just plug in our phone, and have larger everything.. but still use all the apps, and bookmarks etc that are the on the phone. For the rest.. it is about the cool factor.
I recently obtained the HP lapdock for a fair price. This works via USB c connection just fine. I've been looking into how to get the wifi direct connection to work with no luck BUT I know its possible.
OXI rom has been able to successfully connect to the HP lapdock. See this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAWbDg4hcYc
I have no idea how to try to even get this to work but my guess is it relies on something to do with the wifi direct api somewhere in the phone. Anyone want to take a look into this or know someone that could port this?
Thanks
OXI reached out after I contacted them. So if we could get Lineage support we could get OXI support. Anyone know how to build Lineage? Lol or know someone that could build it for us?
DarkestSpawn said:
OXI reached out after I contacted them. So if we could get Lineage support we could get OXI support. Anyone know how to build Lineage? Lol or know someone that could build it for us?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm trying to build lineage for the razer, but i'm just learning and i'm a little lost building the device tree. I can't seem to find how to do it, i guess my google skills are a bit rusty
DarkestSpawn said:
I recently obtained the HP lapdock for a fair price. This works via USB c connection just fine. I've been looking into how to get the wifi direct connection to work with no luck BUT I know its possible.
OXI rom has been able to successfully connect to the HP lapdock. See this video:
I have no idea how to try to even get this to work but my guess is it relies on something to do with the wifi direct api somewhere in the phone. Anyone want to take a look into this or know someone that could port this?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi I'm trying to use the hp lapdock on my mate 10 just get a blank screen when connecting do I need a special cable using the USB C cable that came with the Dock
There is a Dell Dock that works with the Razer phone, Tested it with keyboard, mouse and Monitor (HDMI output from the Dock, DP ports wont work)
r8dooo said:
Hi I'm trying to use the hp lapdock on my mate 10 just get a blank screen when connecting do I need a special cable using the USB C cable that came with the Dock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trying turning off the dock, plug in the cable, turn the dock on, when it gets to the cable or wireless screen plug in the phone. I use the item cord. Sometimes takes 15 tries =/
DarkestSpawn said:
Trying getting off the dock, plug in the cable, turn the dock on, when it gets to the cable or wireless screen plug in the phone. I use the item cord. Sometimes takes 15 tries =/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still no joy just the blank display although it's connected as when I press the keyboard it does stuff on my phone tried every combination on start up. So annoying but thanks anyway
So updated to 8.1 Oreo, enabled Miracast from build prop, it will attempt to connect as the screen goes black on the Dock the phone force reboots. No idea whats causing it. Attached is the logcat, if anyone can look at it and assist I would be grateful.
If you need more info from a logcat just tell me what I missed. I refuse to give up on this and will continue researching and tinkering.
Also gonna try some Treble GSI's see if they work. Starting with AOKP
I downgraded my Razer phone to the 7.1.1 Android version and I STILL can't get this thing to work with the HP lapdock. Tried using the usb-c cable it shipped with, tried using a thunderbolt 3 cable...only the keyboard will work. The screen and track-pad are a no-go. The Galaxy S9 works with little fuss, so I know it's no a problem on the lapdock's end.
Ugh. I just want this thing to work.
i have a mate 20 pro, blackscreen with cable an no connection with wirelles. did someone get it to work?
y1m47ea#abe
I've recently bought a refurbished Lap dock from an italian seller on Ebay to use with my Blackberry Key2 (Android Oreo) and I must say it is a brilliant solution. I come from the Sentio Superbook, witch is also a very interesting solution, but the Lap dock is definitely better: screen, keyboard, touchpad have no comparison... The Sentio desktop app, anyway, works very well and offers an (almost) true desktop environment.
I haven't had any particolar problem connecting the lapdock to my smartphone, even if sometimes the screen doesn't light up, using the standard cable. I think the best way is to insert the usb c cable ony after the screen is showing the two connection options, first in the lapdock and then in the smartphone. Key presses in the touchpad don't work, but gestures are just fine once you get used to them.
I've also tried the wireless connection using the Miracast app: recognizes the screen, but the touchpad doesn't work and the keyboard is double typing every character. So basically it is useless. Hope it can help someone...
kamueone said:
i have a mate 20 pro, blackscreen with cable an no connection with wirelles. did someone get it to work?
y1m47ea#abe
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was wondering if you ever got this to work?
no sorry, never got it working. would have been great. Maybe with some other lapdock in the future.
So it works with the Razer 1 through the cable? I have the lapdock and I'm shopping for a new phone but I'm not interested in the Note 9 which is supposed to work great with the lapdock as well.
gonow160 said:
So it works with the Razer 1 through the cable? I have the lapdock and I'm shopping for a new phone but I'm not interested in the Note 9 which is supposed to work great with the lapdock as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't work wonderfully, YouTube can't run some of the time, and the audio doesn't work at all really. Just through head phones. Even with the new Dex updates. But it is fine in a pinch.