Connectivity Options for N800
 

Hi

I recently bought a Nokia N800 from US and currently living in India. Apart from Wifi and Bluetooth is there any other option of connecting to internet like connecting via USB Modem? Relying on a Wifi hotspot is not feasible and connecting via Bluetooth mobile seems to be too slow..Please help me as i find myself with an N800 which is not at all usefull without proper internet connectivity .Thanks

Regards
Venkat

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

If you have access to an ethernet outlet with (preferably) dhcp support then you could use a travel wi-fi router. That's what I use in those situations. I have a very small Asus pocket wi-fi adapter (330), there are other vendors too and they're not expensive.

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Hi

I am not a technical person and could not understand your suggestion. I have also received another reply from this forum stating that , as of now i cannot use USB Modem from a cellular provider for connecting to internet and i have to wait for further OS updates.Please do let me know if my understanding is not correct. The mobile blutooth option is not a good one due to speed and relying on Wifi spots seems to be a very bad option , as the device itself is meant to be a anytime internet tool..Or atleast thats what i understand from the what they advertise..Cant i have a single way of connecting and to use my N800 while travelling or in office or lying in bed before going to sleep..Please assist..

Regards
Venkat

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Bluetooth connection to a mobile phone shouldn't be slow, the limitation should be in the phone-to-internet connection, i.e. is it GPRS, EDGE or 3G? (where I live the EDGE nd 3G connections are really bad). If you experience the N800 to phone BT connection as slow then maybe your phone is a BT 1.1 or 1.2 device? The N800 supports BT 2.0 with the EDR extension (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth), but even without EDR it should be quite fast.

What my first suggestion was about (see earlier post) is that if you have access to an Ethernet (wired) internet connection then attaching a cheap small wi-fi access point to it would give you N800 wi-fi access to the net, but if you don't have a fixed internet connection like that then this is not an option. Or, if you want mobile internet connection then bluetooth is the way to go. It _should_ be fast enough, as I wrote above.

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Even if you could make it work, USB will not give you a faster or better connection.

Why can't you just put a wireless adapter in your house and office? They are inexpensive...much cheaper than a USB modem anyway. That would give you coverage in the two places you spend the most time. Other than that, you're at the mercy of any public wifi you can find. Even in my rural area it is very rare that I can not find a connection.

Bluetoooth connection speed is not in itself slow. It is dependant on your data plan (assuming you mean "tethering" to a cell phone"...you could upgrade your plan if faster service is available in your area.

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

It seems to me that these replies are like Marie Antoinette's "Let them eat cake" or in your case, wifi.

So let's get old school. You have a phone line at least? There are modems that connect to the host via bluetooth. Here is one of about 4 I found: http://www.amazon.com/Analog-Modem-B...5035158&sr=8-2

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Hi, if you have 3.5g coverage in your area, the n800 connected to a 3.5g phone will give you 720kbps. limited by the max throughput speed of bluetooth. Bluetooth 1.2 and 2.0 should not be any different speed wise. This would be translate to download speed of 90KB/s. not slow for me. in fact better than wifi from many heavily populated hotspots.

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

I think the problem here is the connection of the internet itself. maybe he is using the dialup connection from the PC and need to connect the N800 somehow with the USB cable. as high speed internet is not that popular/cheap on eastern countries.

also not all the routers have RAS(dial the phone to connect internet) capability.

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Hi All

Thanks a lot for the replies..I will do some research on the available BT options and post the result..Thanks again for the all the response.

Regards
Venkatesh

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Using the phone for internet connectivity is way too expensive here in Australia, whether it's a data plan or old fashioned modem and dial.

Is there such a thing as an ethernet adapter that can talk to the n800 via bluetooth?

I could set up a little wifi beastie to do the same thing, but would be nice to have the alternative.

at this rate, the n800 will need its own damn suitcase! keyboard, wireless/ethernet adapter, possible external storage. Maybe the people who put all of that in one case and called it the Toshiba Libretto had the right idea!

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Hi
You hit the nail on the head..It is really frustrating..with all the limitations in connectivity..

Nokia may have a vision on how the N800 has to evolve..but why cant they simple allow us to place a SIM inside and get connected via some cellular service?

Relying on Wifi spots and connecting via phone seems to be stupid as the device does not have life on its own..I bough the N800 in May while visiting US and after coming back to India i have not used it at all except for a short period..

They cant expect us to carry all kinds of extra devices to make this work meaningfully..And what about the cost you incur for adding on these..All looks meaningless..atleast to me..

If someone else feels this is not so please advice..

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

My guess is that it is about internal politics in Nokia.

That to make it a phone would mean it competed with the Symbian based ones and that there were people against that.

The really useful thing would be a USB ethernet dongle like http://www.expansys.com.au/p.aspx?i=105804

One with a mini-usb connector of course :)

It is yet another thing to carry, but there must be small ones.

Hmmm... http://www.linux-usb.org/devices.html might be a place to investigate. If someone's done drivers for a USB ethernet, especially for ARM, then it shouldn't be too hard to get a dongle working on the N800.

Right now I'd say finding the smallest possible wifi hub is the way to go. Yes, damned annoying. There's bugger all publically available wifi here in Australia, my N800 is still just a toy I am using to learn things and play with. I don't like it as much as my iPaq for the things I usually do so I doubt it will replace that. Which is sad cos that's what I bought it for....



Zebee

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

and a followup....

http://www.qbik.ch/usb/devices/devices.php is a list of USB devices that work with linux so far and http://www.qbik.ch/usb/devices/showdevcat.php?id=16 is the networking section.

Some of them were done long enough ago that the N800 kernel should support the driver, but it isn't clear how much work there would be to port it, would need to crossref with the other places on the site to see any ARM data.

Zebee

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

There's actually a driver included already in OS2008 for devices based on the Realtek 8150 chipset, I'm getting a card based on that chipset later today, and will report my findings.

According to the datasheet, the 8150 uses an average current of 110mA, and with the additional components of the adapter (LEDs, etc), I doubt the N8x0 will be able to power it directly.

Wish me luck! :)

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Damn, didn't think of that! yeah, ethernet needs power. And while snipping the LEDs might not cause interesting current difficulties, they are too useful to do without....

Good luck!

Zebee

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Some people in the know at Nokia have said adding phone capabilities is technically possible, but that doing so would bring it into an entire other market (phone market) with extra rules & regulations, add cost, etc.

They seem to want to keep the device as an internet tablet. Most people have one or more mobile phones. Should one want to connect the IT via the cellular network, they can do so via a compatible phone with data plan. There are plenty of examples of people who do so.

That said, would I like there to be a SIM card slot in which I can put an unlimited data only SIM from a certain provider at $20-30/month. Sure! Because my cellphone needs are very limited. I use my cellphone on average a handful of times per month. A post paid plan with data extension would be ridiculously expensive and underused for me.

So, I don't disagree with you. Nokia executives just see it different.

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

The closest you're likely to come to this is a Bluetooth access point. AXIS, Belkin, Billionton Systems, and D-Link have all made such beasts. AXIS, Belkin, and D-Link each discontinued their models a few years ago. (And D-Link never offered theirs in the U.S. anyway.) Billionton may make theirs still, but I seem to recall reviews stating theirs was...peculiar and difficult to use somehow.

If you have problems with money (you have too much of it), SENA offers some models that appear quite nice. I'd like one, if you're buying.

The MicroBAP also looks interesting, if you're into "some assembly required" toys. It's certainly small enough to be turned into a pocketable accessory for an Internet tablet.

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Another option would be to connect via USB to a linux box, no?

http://maemo.org/development/documen...king_bora.html

EDIT: also this for winXP connections: http://maemo.org/community/wiki/usbnetworkingwinxp/

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Umm... no :)

If you are at home or have admin/root to a machine, then you have options. I connect fine at home with my wireless.

But it is when you are out and about that there's a problem. If there's no wifi - and there's bugger all available wifi in Oz and I expect India - then you have no network connectivity.

Using a phone is shockingly expensive. I doubt an internet cafe would let you install appropriate stuff on their machine to allow your tablet to connect. But they might be willing to let you use an ethernet cable.

So far a wifi access point seems the only solution but to carry one and a wall wart... I wish the tablet had an ethernet port, I really do.

Zebee

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

i would have thought most net cafes in oz would have wireless available and for the same price as kiosk access. i thought the usb networking would be useful in many office situations where in my experience wireless has been harder to come by.
its a shame that usb networking isn't more popular

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Would you think? NOt sure why you'd think that, you think they have brains or something? (And they'd need to work out how to charge for it, no idea if there's an easily available system for that.)

I suppose some might do it, none of the ones I've looked into do.

And free wifi is right out. SOme places tried it for a bit but as data is horrifically expensive in Oz (we pay by the megabyte) I expect it was very much a losing proposition.

Zebee

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Hi

Thanks for all the info..

Few days back , for my desktop i bought a USB Modem from a cellular provider with a internet connection plan which costs me $12 a month..

It is very small beautiful device which you easily carry anywhere..If this can be connected to N800 also it would be great..

Not sure about the power supply for the USB port which you guys talk about..I am not able to understand some of these technical stuff..Just waiting for some miraculous solution which will make my N800 an all time companion to me..

Venkat

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Any luck getting it to work?

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Yep!
http://www.internettablettalk.com/fo...ad.php?t=11723

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

What's the model number and who's the manufacturer?

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Hi

I live in India..Most of the Cellular Providers here distribute USB modems with data plans..This will not be available in any other place ,but nothing special about it..It is the same as other USB modems sold by leading manufacturers..I was only posting the news hoping someone will give me useful info about alternative mode of connecting..Thanks

Venkat

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Hi

I live in India..Most of the Cellular Providers here distribute USB modems with data plans..This will not be available in any other place ,but nothing special about it..It is the same as other USB modems sold by leading manufacturers..I was only posting the news hoping someone will give me useful info about alternative mode of connecting..Thanks

Venkat

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

I can't help you with the travelling or office. But if you want to use it wirelessly at home, you could get a Wi-Fi adapter for your computer or connect a Wi-Fi router LAN port to the PC LAN port.

Then turn on Internet Connection Sharing (assuming Windows) to bridge your USB modem Internet connection to a Wi-Fi Internet connection. That would let the tablet connect through your PC.

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

If you wanted to use it with the N800 you'll need a driver, I asked for make and model number so I could see if a driver exists for Linux.

Computer hardware may look the same on the outside, but it's the inside that counts :)

Sometimes manufacturers will even use different chips but keep the model number the same (I hate these manufacturers)

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Hi

The Model Is SXC-1080 and makers are Epi Valley,Korea..Sorry for not providing these details earlier..Please let me know.Thanks

Venkat

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

It might be possible to use the "cdc-acm" module:
http://www.mjmwired.net/kernel/Docum...on/usb/acm.txt

However, there's probably a good bit of work to get it functioning properly beyond compiling and loading the module, and of course compiling and loading the module might not work at all on the tablet.

It will also likely need to get it's power from something other than the tablet..

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Why not just carry one of the small ethernet/wifi or ethernet/bluetooth routers? One example is the Apple airport Express - but even that's on the large side of the available devices.

But if you are in an area without available broadband or wireless ( cell or wifi ), that modem to bluetooth device looks like the best bet.

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Cradlepoint PHS300 battery powered EVDO->wifi router should get you connected if you have an Sprint/Verizon EVDO plan and USB EVDO modem. You plug the modem into the PHS300 - there is no physical connection to the n800 so no drivers or port power issues. The n800 would just connect to the PHS300 wirelessly as a wifi access point.

Not available until Dec12 tho - right now you would have to use a Cradlepoint CTR 350 with an external battery.

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

It wont be easy to configure the n800 to use this usb modem as it doesnt support usb host and does not supply power to its usb port.since you already have a data plan, the easiest way is still to get a 3g phone and connect through bluetooth. the earlier generation used 3g phones can be had for very cheap.

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

OS2008 adds support for USB host on the N800, and as far as I can tell, the port can supply up to 5V/200mA.

It probably won't supply enough power, though, and would certainly be more difficult than pairing with a bluetooth phone.

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

if true this is great news. anyone verified this yet? any link to this info? thanks.

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

I've connected a mouse, midi adapter, audio adapter, ethernet adapter, and cdrom drive personally.

Everything was detected and powered, except for the cdrom drive which needed external power.

I still need to compile some drivers for some things though :)

Others have managed to get a few things working as well, just search around the forums for the last 2 weeks or so.

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Powered USB host support on an N800? Sweet.

edit: Where did you get the drivers for all those peripherals?

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

Hi ALL

Host Mode for N800 USB port?..It will be a wonderful option..Please post as much info as possible..Think it will be helpful to all..Finally we can disconnect our phone and use N800 as a pure internet tablet..carrying a USB modem is not an issue at all..

Re: Connectivity Options for N800
 

The module for my ethernet adapter comes with OS2008 (rt8150), CDROM modules were compiled by someone here on the forums, and for MIDI and Audio adapters I'll need to compile modules, which I don't expect to be too difficult (I always make sure the hardware I buy has Linux support, in some form)