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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.
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..
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.
After playing with the HD out on my Ion I decided to by one of the docks. To my suprise I found it on ATT for $10 :cyclops: So I thought I would share with the others. One thing to note is don't sign in to your account as it will show as not available. If you just order it it goes through and free shipping :good:
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/accessories/docks/sku6120262.html
only for US
I just got done ordering it myself from at&t.
I had no issues with being logged in to my at&t account
I was coming to post the info also, but was ninja'd by @zachspeed.
Moderating from my Xperia ION on 4.1.2 & RooTED by DooMLoRD.
Hai ninjerd you lol. For me as soon as I signed in it would not let me order for some reason. Also seems that this device is still being sold in some states and countries. I also noticed that Sony has more LT28a devices. Not sure why they are not at and just a.
Got mine a while back for $25, came with the HDMI cable. Best $25 bucks i've spent on an accesory for my phone.
Yea I knew Spectra was happy with his and thanks for your input as well. There is not allot of actual reviews of it online so I borrowed my friends hdmi adapter to play around with it. The tv launcher is quite neat and you can still use the other launchers too. It is almost like a second computer. Cant wait for my dock to show up.
Does the AT&T version come with an hdmi cable? One of the reviews I've read said it didn't. Is it a full size hdmi on the back of the unit or mini?
I will let you know when it shows up. It looks like it has a mini on the back of it from pics. I hope it does come with a cable or some kind of adapter made for it. Still have one if it does not though so guess I am okay.
Just got mine in the mail from at&t.
It is new in box.
Box contains ONLY the dock and paper work.
NO CORDS OR ANYTHING ELSE
Not real happy that just putting the phone in the dock does NOT trigger the landscape home screen.
When docked the lock screen and home launcher screen are still vertical, they have no rotation.
Most apps will rotate automatically.
Let me say that I only had a charger plugged in, no hdmi cable to test.
Must need the hdmi connection to trigger full rotation like shown in Sony web page.
I do like the cursor when a usb mouse is used.
As I got it to mainly hold my ION up so I can see the clock at night, when I use it as an alarm. Also like how when in clock mode a long press of screen turns the clock blue then a short press dims it.
Moderating from my Xperia ION on 4.1.2 & RooTED by DooMLoRD.
Yea I got mine today and same deal with no cords. I also find it quite difficult to get my phone in the dock like the plugs are a bit off or something. The rotation will trigger with the hdmi plugged in and you can set Smart Connect to trigger TV launcher when you dock it. I will say it does work quite well and had no issue with my mouse and keyboard. Some apps are a bit strange like youtube the seek bar will not come back on the tv once it has hidden itself so you have to look at the device. All in all I am very happy with it.
The one complaint I have is the lack of cords. I went looking for a micro hdmi cable today but I was not willing to pay 30 to 50 dollars for a cable. That is just crazy for four to six foot cable. The bad part about it is every big brand store will offer you a ton of options online for crazy cheap but not in store. The only place I did not check was Staples so guess I will go there tomorrow. I tell you it is almost like the brick stores have become the dumping ground for stuff that does not sell.
Oh forgot to add that I did notice that if you turn the screen off before you take it out the sound is not forced through the ear piece. : )
I went ahead and got one of these even though I don't see a use for it because, hey, ten bucks
It's picky about power sources. I had been using the charging brick from a wireless mouse, which charges the Ion fast enough, but run through the dock the phone didn't even register as plugged in and couldn't power a USB thumb drive. Likewise when plugged into my PC through the dock--no response on either end. My tablet charger worked, but I use that for my tablet, so I ended up digging out the original brick for the Ion.
As expected, the dock is too tight a fit for a case, which is probably enough by itself to disqualify this thing from daily use for me. It's no easier to dock the phone vs. plugging it straight into a cord, either--I would say it's about equally awkward dealing w/ the cover flap and tight ports either way. If you don't use a case and/or really want a bedside clock, it might be worthwhile, or if you want to use your phone as a word processor, gaming console, or main computer. For me, it might come in handy down the line but is probably going in a drawer for now.
Taosaur said:
I went ahead and got one of these even though I don't see a use for it because, hey, ten bucks
If you don't use a case and/or really want a bedside clock, it might be worthwhile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use mine as an alarm clock/charger.
It sits next to the bed and I was knocking it of my table when the alarm goes off. So the dock is more stable and holds the phone in an easy to read angle.
I still HATE that the lock & home screens won't Auto rotate when docked. I have found an app that forces landscape mode but not automatically. Why Sony didn't enable it with a setting is crazy
I also use a case daily. Its a jelly type case so goes off & on quickly.
Moderating from my Xperia ION on 4.1.2 & RooTED by DooMLoRD, using XDA Premium mobile app v4
It's growing on me. I left the phone in there while I was working (or, you know, stuff) at my desk today, and it was nice to have my notifications right in front of me. I think I also found a less fussy method of getting it on the dock--going straight in with the screen facing down at an angle and kind of flipping it up onto the plugs. It's hard to explain, but at least just now it slid right on there, which is easier than fiddling with a cord.
In the spirit of overkill, I even pulled an ancient KVM switch out of my "electronic junk" box, to share my mouse and keyboard between the dock and my PC. It doesn't seem to be working for my Razer mouse, but the keyboard is a go, and I might be able to troubleshoot the mouse.
Yea the auto rotate issues have annoyed me from day one with this thing. Have not had to deal with it though with using other launchers like Honami and such. The lockscreen still bugs me though.
Hi all,
I am on vacation and got bumped into, causing me to drop my less than a week old TMo G3 after I ordered my screen protector and case. Lovely, right? Well it caused a nice giant crack in the screen and the LCD to become unresponsive. I pulled the battery and restarted, and it told me my LCD was damaged and said to use volume and power now as manual controls. Only issue with that is I have knock code on, so I cant get into the system at all.
Luckily I am rooted, and have TWRP installed. I also have titanium. I would love to get a backup of my apps somehow (I had not made a backup yet, silly me) or better yet a nandroid if somehow possible to simply restore when I get my replacement (Tried to use power keys to boot into recover, wouldn't even turn off though). I have my SD in to hold my other files, luckily.
I am on a mac and can set up/execute adb if needed.
I really appreciate any help you can give, thanks so much everyone.
Fun Fact- My G3 didn't survive a 1.5ft fall
UPDATE: I will be trying to do the OTG mouse method, but another method is preffered so I dont have to buy anything and can do my backups more immediately.
UPDATE 2: Scratch everything, USB port appears to be broken. Cant get it to charge or recognize on my computer.
Mine was 4 days old when it fell and cracked the screen. If you have an OTG cable plug it in and plug in a USB mouse. You will be able to control the phone with the mouse.
Sent from my LG-D850
D_Rock899x said:
Mine was 4 days old when it fell and cracked the screen. If you have an OTG cable plug it in and plug in a USB mouse. You will be able to control the phone with the mouse.
Sent from my LG-D850
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great idea, I dont have one, but I think I will just pick one up.
TacoLord187 said:
Great idea, I dont have one, but I think I will just pick one up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could try a wireless mouse if it has a USB dongle. Not sure that it will work but worth a shot.
Sent from my LG-D850
D_Rock899x said:
Could try a wireless mouse if it has a USB dongle. Not sure that it will work but worth a shot.
Sent from my LG-D850
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only wireless mouse I have is the apple magic mouse. If I could get into bluetooth, maybe it would work that way, but I would have to get into bluetooth.
TacoLord187 said:
Only wireless mouse I have is the apple magic mouse. If I could get into bluetooth, maybe it would work that way, but I would have to get into bluetooth.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd say that's doubtful with the screen being unresponsive. If it's anything like mine was it wouldn't recognize any touch input anywhere. USB mice are dirt cheap. Buy the cheapest one you can find at Wal-Mart, Target, etc.
Sent from my LG-D850
D_Rock899x said:
I'd say that's doubtful with the screen being unresponsive. If it's anything like mine was it wouldn't recognize any touch input anywhere. USB mice are dirt cheap. Buy the cheapest one you can find at Wal-Mart, Target, etc.
Sent from my LG-D850
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I have a USB one at home somewhere, just sucks because I am in Mexico at the moment....
The very bottom of my screen (nav bar) works. Cant get anything else though. And with the whole knock code being on, cant do to much.
TacoLord187 said:
Yea, I have a USB one at home somewhere, just sucks because I am in Mexico at the moment....
The very bottom of my screen (nav bar) works. Cant get anything else though. And with the whole knock code being on, cant do to much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was in the exact same boat sans being in Mexico. Best of luck man.
Sent from my LG-D850
Hey. I have a simular problem. I busted my screen, no root. OTG way does work though...but what now? I'm not rooted neither
Hi, I have a stock S3 that I no longer use because I dropped it and the screen went black. There are no cracks in the glass but the phone still powers on and the buttons on the bottom still light up and it makes noises. I now have an S7 so I don't have the s3 activated anymore but it still has the original sim card in it (not sure if that matters). I had a bunch of photos that I had saved on the phone itself and not on the microsd card and I am wanting to retrieve those photos if at all possible. I have spent a few hours reading different ways to do this but I figured I would ask those with more experience. When I plug my phone into my computer it shows up but it says there are no files on it when I try to access it so I am assuming that the usb debugging is turned off. I never activated samsung kies so I am without that option. Do I have to buy an MHL adapter so I can plug my phone into my TV so I can see the screen and also plug a mouse into it at the same time so I can unlock it and navigate to usb debugging options? Are there any other easy options? Thank you for any help
If you enabled the lock screen option and you are not unlocking the phone before connecting it to the computer, this may be why you cannot see any files.
Yes, I have the screen locked with a simple drawing pattern. I guess I could try and blindly draw that pattern with a mouse hooked to the phone and see if that works.
I tried for a while to get the phone unlocked with the mouse hooked up to it. I can feel the vibrations when i go over one of the little buttons while im drawing the pattern but it is just too difficult to really tell where the mouse pointer is. So I think im going to get a mhl adapter so I can hook it up to my TV or monitor and give that a go
You are on the right track. I had the same problem. The LCD was broken but the digitizer was still working along with the rest of the phone. If you killed the digitizer also, a bluetooth mouse does the job.
How exactly did you manage to fix yours? Did you blindly draw the unlock pattern or did you hook it up to a monitor of some sort so you could see what youre doing? Im thinking of buying something this adapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y8O8FK..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0CY61YQCJ4GWRM2GE3VH. Would that work?
redmonte85 said:
How exactly did you manage to fix yours? Did you blindly draw the unlock pattern or did you hook it up to a monitor of some sort so you could see what youre doing? Im thinking of buying something this adapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y8O8FK..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0CY61YQCJ4GWRM2GE3VH. Would that work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. Just as you said in your opening remark a MHL cable did the trick for me. I then used a bluetooth mouse to navigate as it was easier and safer due to broken glass (even though my digitizer was still working). When you hook it up you will see if the digitizer is still working (separate from the lcd which more likely is gone) when you touch the screen. From my experience the LCD goes bad from dropping but the digitizer is usually still working. I did not have to remove data from the phone but simply had to a reset to stock.
After that I replaced the LCD panel and the phone worked just fine.