How to use an Android smartphone as PC - Off-topic

Hi folks, as title I'd like to use my Android smartphone (S8+ but switching it with Pixel 2 XL soon..) as PC.
I'd like to use an usb hub to connect devices as keyboard, mouse, HDD.. and simultaneously also charge it!!
Now it seems no possible to have usb devices connected and charge the smartphone but!! But I've Samsung dock station that I used with my S8+ that is actually as an usb hub that allow to connect devices throw usb ports AND, at same time, charging it!!
So IMHO why it's so hard to find an usb hub that works like the Samsung dock station??
Can someone help me to understand it?
Thank you

why dont u use bluetooth keyboard and mouse instead?

johnny_the_dragon said:
why dont u use bluetooth keyboard and mouse instead?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Too much recargable devices. My idea is using USB hub I can connect mouse, keyboard, maybe HDD and printer and at same time also charge the phone.
If Samsung Dex dock can, why can't reproduce it on other devices?

Docking station is not a new idea. These ones are from 2015. + additional powered usb HUB and should work - I guess. I have only experience with Samsung docking stations as they work without a problem (with Samsung smartphones obviously).

Hi again to everyone!!
I'd like to update my thread specifying that I've now Pixel 2XL running Android 8.1
Does it means it's easier to use my smartphone as PC now?
Can I connect keyboard+mouse+external HDD to my smartphone using an USB hub and same time recharging it?
Please can you help me to do that?

What do you think something about it?
https://m.ebay.it/itm/Techstick-USB...040990?hash=item238d36e75e:g:V-AAAOSw9sJZr6w4

Related

[Q] And USB adapters for the DS7 yet? So we can hook up controllers etc.

Just wondering, since some of the newer tablets let you hook up mini usb devices to it and so. Was wondering if there had been any adapters yet or so for us streak 7 users? Would be cool to get a wired controller hooked up and so.
You would need an OTG cable to do that, as dell doesnt make any you will have to make your own or use the HDMI dock.
Well I have the HDMI Dock, so I could use the dock then insert the usb device to that? Was thinking about getting that Logitech F710 with that usb dongle, heard it had support for android. What else would I need? Or hows that work fully.
As for the non dock part, has anyone made a cable yet to work?
if your device had a usb-a connector you have no choice then but to make a cable.
the sixaxis/ds3 uses a mini usb connector and might work though usb,
I know it and the wiimote will work over bt, with the wiimote being the easier to pair one.
Well I have the wiimote working fine, Issue there is.. Yea.. Battery drain on that remote. So figured maybe getting a adapter. I guess I need a USB to Mini micro usb? (The new style mini usb thing.. man I miss the old big RAZR size ones) How many of you have used a HID device or so on android or the streak 7?
you'd need to splice together the dock connector to preferably a USB-A female port, it'd be the most useful as you'd have a cable that could accept anything, but it'd mean you'd always need a minimum of 2 cables.
You'd also have to dissemble to dock connector itself i believe as the OTG pins are different from what's wired in the normal sync/charge cables, you cant simply cut the cable and rewire it, you'd prob have to cut the dock connector open and resolder
If you made a dock to micro usb connector it'd only accept devices that have a micro usb port on it.
Keep in mind usb mode means that the controller would be drawing power from the device itself, while controllers dont draw that much, it's still something to point out
Wouldnt this be all I need?
http://www.amazon.com/USB-Female-Mini-Male-Adapter/dp/B0016RNX2I/ref=pd_sbs_e_4
Would take the normal size usb dongle or cord, fits into the USB slot of the dock itself.
I havnt actually tried it but it sounds like that should work, i know that port is designed for otg connections so i'd assume it'd take care of the hard work.
When on 2.2.2 Did I need a special program for this to work? I know 3.x had native support. Just wondering. =) (Or can any game/emulator with key remapping auto detect)
if it's anything like the hoops needed for the s5 on 2.2.x yes, unless dell included their own code stuff to make it work, then i'm not sure.
I've never attached a controller to anything, wired or not so I can only say that much
Wonder what the app would be called or so, anyone know? I mean I ordered the part, should be here in a few days, then I can report any tests I have with a Rumblepad 2.
Ok tested it out, So far nada. Dont know if its even supposed to work.
Has anyone here hooked a wired controller up to their android? Running Honeycomb now too.
I know people talk about the F710, which I wonder if that works cause its battery powered?
So what's the verdict guys? Can a controller or other USB device be connected to the mini USB port on the docking station and work? If not, will it work if you plug in a mini USB OTG cable (like this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-USB-Re...757?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6edf5335) into the docking station and then plug the controller into the OTG cable?
So far my verdict is nada.. dont think its supplying power to the usb ports. Now its been said that adapter based ones may work, something where controller is powered by batteries. Tho again. No one ever gives a real confirm.
My next area to branch out is http://www.onlive.com/controller 50$ but you can use a adapter for the pc. However it also works with bluetooth, something that the tablet DOES support and no adapter needed. Since I have the onlive app, least it will work 100% for THAT. Once my tax money comes in, Ill order the controller and see if it can work on emulators and so too. least then we will have 1 solid answer that has some good use. (Since honestly, onlive on the tablet really isnt bad at all!)
Why not bluetooth your ps3 controller though the sixaxis app on the market thats what I've done works great
Sent from my Dell Streak 7 using xda app-developers app
I have used my Wii remote that way
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
To answer both. If I am not mistaken. PS3 controllers have to be "paired". Which means when you wanna play PS3 or Tablet.. got to re-pair them all the time, correct?
Wii-Motes I know you dont have to re-pair them. However.. one thing I hate... that to use the classic controller.. you need to have the Wiimote laying around somewhere.. then the cable for classic. Seems bulky for normal use.
Both controllers all are battery too. Would be nice for wired solutions. If I do anything wireless, I may as well get that Onlive controller with BT support.
If you have a sixaxis/DS3 dedicated to non-ps3 use: you only have to re-pair it every time you want to use it on a different device.
The sixaxis/ds3 do work in usb mode, at least on pcs. I dont recall if there's a solution to use it in usb mode on android (though i'd imagine it should, as usb mode is trivial to enable)
If you only have a single device to use it with, you only ever need to pair it once and then you're done.
Well, I finally went and tried hooking up a usb hub to my S7, and my results were absolute failures.
I bought an OTG <-> dell 30 pin a while back and a standard OTG <-> dock cable.
I dont have a baseline as I dont know offhand which kernels are specifically tested to work.
It seems to enable the hub (by enable I mean it powers up on detection of a host, it's wall powered)
on my S5 with ICS/Phoenix kernal (which is known to support usb hosting), but nada on my S7 with ICS B4/mod and stock 514.
Can anyone explicitly confirm that the b4 and stock kernals work with host?
I'm pretty sure nothing is happening on either of those, and as it works fine on my S7 it's definitely not bad cables/hardware.
Edit: at least the S5 is even capable of powering the hub itself, and with a dock it can charge at the same time. If it wernt for the terrible HDMI out on it, it would be a full on android pc with the dock.
The S7 on the other hand: I still cant get anything, remotely powered or self powered: it gives no response
I can tell you, yes, ICS kernel does have otg drivers but may not provide power to those devices.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Usb host Mouse

Hi, I have just got a usb host cable and I works fine for my pen drive but had a few questions to ask.
Is it possible to connect (via usb) Another android phone and access the micro sd from it to transfer files. The HD2 in question charges itself via usb host but enabling mass storage does nothing on the note.
I have tried my gigabyte wireless mouse and logitech wireless keyboard and neither worked. I have a BT keyboard so only really bothered about the mouse tbh.
I'm on the. Latest rocketrom.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
tucka20 said:
Hi, I have just got a usb host cable and I works fine for my pen drive but had a few questions to ask.
Is it possible to connect (via usb) Another android phone and access the micro sd from it to transfer files. The HD2 in question charges itself via usb host but enabling mass storage does nothing on the note.
I have tried my gigabyte wireless mouse and logitech wireless keyboard and neither worked. I have a BT keyboard so only really bothered about the mouse tbh.
I'm on the. Latest rocketrom.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Note has native support for HID's like keyboards and mice via both Bluetooth and USB. However, when it comes to USB, the more basic the device, basically, the closer to true plug-n-play a device is, the more likely it is to work. Also, with regard to wireless keyboards and mice, depending on the power requirements of the tranceiver, those may or may not work either.
An interesting thing to point out is that USB hub's work fine. So if you have a powered USB hub, you could theoretically plug in a USB keyboard and mouse, and an external HDD (as long as it's in a compatible format!).
Jade Eyed Wolf said:
The Note has native support for HID's like keyboards and mice via both Bluetooth and USB. However, when it comes to USB, the more basic the device, basically, the closer to true plug-n-play a device is, the more likely it is to work. Also, with regard to wireless keyboards and mice, depending on the power requirements of the tranceiver, those may or may not work either.
An interesting thing to point out is that USB hub's work fine. So if you have a powered USB hub, you could theoretically plug in a USB keyboard and mouse, and an external HDD (as long as it's in a compatible format!).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very weird indeed,will have to get me a cheapo USB mouse from poundstretcher or something and give it a go.
Thanks for the reply
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
Hi
Have red around somewhere: On Android 2.3.5 the USB host function worked, but it was taken away on version 2.3.6. This is for the extended USB host functions. I have an OBD-adapter to connect with my cars computer and it needs this extended function. Likewise, there are Apps that can remote control digital cameras and also see "live view" from the camera.
I have 2.3.6 and USB pens are working and my compact camera work (in PC modus), I can read and copy files. When I try my external hard drive it won't work. Haven't tried with external power to it. (An alternative could be to use an USB-hub with external power to it. Haven't tried this yet.
I have understood that when you get to version 3.1/3.2 the extended USB host functions will work again, and also the ICS version 4.0. I'm excitingly waiting for an upgrade...
I have the original USB-adapter from Samsung
Not all USB pens or hard drives will be supported, as earlier mentioned...

[Q] MHL video and USB OTG at the same time?

I'm hacking a portable USB keyboard (from HP iPaq) to work on my note and planning on including USB hub, battery power pack, USB port for flash drive.
I'm also planning on adding HDMI out. I'll either include a switch to go between USB (keyboard etc) and video only or if I can have everything then this will become my "turn Note into a computer" all in one solution when plugged into HDMI monitor/television.
All the pins are there. But I don't know if MHL and USB can be used at the same time. Anyone know or do I have to try it and see what happens?
Blowing up my Note USB chip would not make my day! LOL
PurpleMelbourne said:
All the pins are there. But I don't know if MHL and USB can be used at the same time. Anyone know or do I have to try it and see what happens?
Blowing up my Note USB chip would not make my day! LOL
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to rain on your ideas for the second time but not possible. Even if the logic were there to somehow implement both modes, there just is not enough bandwidth on those wires. You only have two twisted pairs and 1080P needs almost all that bandwidth to push enough ones and zeros to fill the screen at 25-30fps.
Your best bet for satisfying that fantasy is bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Think I saw a youtube video yesterday of a guy playing a game through MHL out while controlling through a bluetooth keyboard.
They are mutually exclusive connections at the hardware level, so no software mod can make this possible.
Bluetooth keyboard and mouse are great - check out my youtube channel "AndroidNZ" for a demo on MHL and various uses.
I was already impressed a while back by your video showing MHL video and so I went and bought a connector of my own on ebay
My main focus is to make a little do it all dock for sitting having lunch in a cafe. All built into a wired HP iPaq keyboard. I currently have a Dell Axim bluetooth keyboard and Logitech bluetooth mouse, but they aren't as smooth as I'd like. But the mouse is probably only useful when using a big screen.
So hardware hacking time!
But even if I can't do both, it will be nice to have my phone sitting next to the television with only a short HDMI lead and the phone doesn't flop around because of the stiffness of said HDMI cable as it does currently with my existing octopus setup of leads.
So it will have two modes.
Video mode where the keyboard only acts as a stand, battery pack and video port.
Cafe mode where I have keyboard with stand, USB flash drive, battery pack and USB.
All in a 15cm x 10cm x 2.5cm tidy expanding package :-D
Maybe when the Note 2 comes out with USB 3 we might be able to have both video and USB
oops, duplicate
MHL + OTG Multimedia dock is now available!
Heres the answer to your mhl + otg problem guys but a bit costly!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Sa...axy-Note-2-N7100-EDD-S20EWEGSTD-/230889526839
who can read is in advantage
this dock station is for the note II and not for the note I.
The pinout is different.
but 1 solution could be plugging in otg then usb hub then the micro usb female to usb A then the Mhl adaptor and the other connector of the hub with the mouse and the keyboard
http://de.focalprice.com/CA0352B/USB_A_Male_to_Micro_USB_Female_Adapter_Black.html
but finally i think it won´t work because there is not enoug voltage and power to get all devices so u need an external power supplier for the hub or an battery connect with the hub. try it out and tell us of your experience
)
alz_uk said:
Heres the answer to your mhl + otg problem guys but a bit costly!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Sa...axy-Note-2-N7100-EDD-S20EWEGSTD-/230889526839
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[Q] USB Tethering between TAB (P7300) and Smartphone (I9003)??

I have a Galaxy GT-I9003 phone and a GT-P7300 tablet.
Both devices support tethering to a PC via USB but, according to customer care at Samsung NZ, it is not possible to tether the phone to the tablet (or vice versa) with USB, only via wireless or Bluetooth.
I find this a bit strange.
Any thoughts??
I looked around for a cable to connect the two devices so that I could test this, but it looks like Samsung does not supply such a cable.
It may be possible to rig a cable using the cables supplied with the devices and a USB adapter??
doesn't it strike you that your phone has to be in USB host mode while your tablet as USB client?
That alone may be a feat to achieve, cabling comes later.
priyana said:
doesn't it strike you that your phone has to be in USB host mode while your tablet as USB client?
That alone may be a feat to achieve, cabling comes later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Always thought USB was a 2-way street.
Never considered the host/client scenario.
for example, your PC USB ports are host ports. You can connect devices to it and the OS will see the device and use it.
The port in your phone/tablet is usually a client. You only plug it so that the PC can see it.
Having said that, Galaxy Tab 10" has a USB host port function, and you can plug a mass storage to it, a mouse, or a keyboard, I think.
Some of the cheap tablets even allow you to plug a USB 3G dongle modem to it.
Now, whether your GT-I9003 has host port function, I don't know.

T-505 Galaxy Tab A7 USB OTG and charging at the same time, is it possible?

Hello all,
I plan to use the Galaxy Tab A7 as a Car Tablet.
Therefore I bought a USB C Hub with Audiojack and Powerdelivery.
Unfortunately it somehow does not charge over the USB Hub. The hub itself works, audio can be played through the jack and it recognizes the USB Sticks connected throught the hub. Is it something which can be solved by changing the software / Android Version or even flashing a custom Rom?
On my phone the hub works flawlessly.
Btw: Does anybody have any tips for setting it up as a car tablet? I already installed some OBD apps and a car launcher.
I use the Torque and Car Launcher in Splitscreen mode and use maps as a floating app on top. Further tips would be appriciated

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