N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

The N800 USB host mode thread has been going on far too long now and has become quite lengthy in both it's breadth and content, so I'm going to start a new thread for this that kind of picks up where we left off there.

Here's the scenario: If you're running OS 2008, the N800 can automatically switch between host mode and client mode with a specially modified cable/adapter. Although there are many handy people on the forums here, I know there has been an expressed desire by some of the less "soldering iron hands on" looking for a pre-made solution, so here's my proposal:

I'm prepared to offer "professionally modified" USB adapters and cables for use with the N800 OTG. At this point I'm starting with just a simple Mini B (plugs into the N800) to Female A (regular USB devices plug into it) adapter that's about 2 inches long, and when connected with automatically put the N800 into host mode... no software hacks or special scripts required.

These adapters have been replaced by the new custom-manufacturerd version; see this thread for details: http://www.internettablettalk.com/fo...ad.php?t=23633

The Adapters are now available here
If you want to resell them in your local area there's also a reseller's pack of 25 available:
http://www.electronicproductonline.c...oducts_id=1793

Shipping costs are:
International (Air) is flat $11.00
US Standard Mail (Air) is flat $9.00
Canada Standard is flat $4.00

Note that the US Mail price has changed; this is because all shipments are now Air Mail instead of ground due to the number of complaints regarding the delivery time of ground shipments.

The attached picture gives you an idea of what the adapters look like. You can find more information about possible uses/what works and what's being tested on the Wiki Page
[/B]

The modded adapter is available for $6 + shipping:
http://www.electronicproductonline.c...oducts_id=1781

These can also be used in combination with the short Micro-Mini USB converter cables to allow OTG functionality on the N810:
http://www.electronicproductonline.c...oducts_id=2004

In addition I've got a slew of other interesting tablet related accessories also available:
http://www.electronicproductonline.c...hp?cPath=35_67

And if there's anything else that you're looking for or you think others might be interested in let me know and I'll do my best to get a hold of 'em!

I'm getting the first batch of adapters in early next week, so I'll post back the link here, but in the meantime I'm looking for feedback: who's interested?

There has also been some interest expressed for an actual "dongle" type of cable with a similar sort of function. Here's my question:

How many people would be interested in purchasing the modified adapter, and how much interest is there in a "dongle" type of cable for the same purpose?

-Rob

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

Hmm so if I'm understanding this correctly, you'd be able to plug in things like flash drives? Or would that not work because it still wouldn't receive power? I'm interested though I'd have to find out more (off I go to read that thread!)

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

- sounds like a good idea... haven't seen a mini->female plug on-line (some folks have posted a link to a Moto cable off amazon, but i can't remember the nature of the adapter end...

- i just ordered a few female<->female adapters from cyberguys, but this is only for convenience in putting a female end on a 'normal' shorty (10") mini->male cable i use (they come with the old Sansa M2xx mp3 players)...

- it's a bit of a hassle to click a menu item in order to set host mode, so i'd like one of your cables... but alas, i don't do PayPal, so i guess i'm SOL...

:-(

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

I'd be in.

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

Sure you'll get many takers and I am glad! If i had the time and inclination I'd make the same offer. Just for the community relations and the pocket change too.
I'll be getting a silver pen and also writing up the script. (on an OS08 upgrade theme: the USB icon, good place to have a switch to host and back again). doing both just to get my hands and mind into this project. Thanks.

USB OTG Adapter Clarification/facts
 

Just a clarification on the adapter/usage:

- N800 will supply power for USB devices up to 100mA (I believe that's it, I did see it somewhere in the posts but it might be a little higher than that). This means most USB thumb drives, keyboards, etc will work, but don't expect to try and charge your iPod off of it or something. (Attaching a device that draws more power than that will simply cause the N800 to turn off power supply for USB, won't damage the tablet)

- Adapter when plugged in will automatically put Tablet into host mode, allowing you to connect other devices and have them "just work" (if they're supported). Currently to my knowledge most thumb drives, digital cameras, etc work. HID devices such as keyboards/etc are also supported natively. Check the original thread for more details on devices.

- I've got an E-commerce site that I'm going to be offering the adapters through, so paypal not required, just a credit card.

This is what the adapter looks like:
http://www.electronicproductonline.c...s/usbAdapt.jpg

-Rob

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

Count me in then. :D

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

I'm in. You take Google Checkout? That's my preferred payment form... though I do have other ways of paying if necessary.

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

- i've subscribed to this thread... it would be nice to post updates here...

- the dongles look great!

(dunno why they're not available universally)

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

Hey this is awesome, count me in. I have a gazillion flash drives lying around the house and they're cheap.

Oh and buy.com is selling 2gb kingston flash drives for $0.95.
Heres the link: http://www.buy.com/prod/kingston-2gb...204737104.html
O and I would prefer google checkout too. It's waaaay easier. :D

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

I would buy one too.

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

I would be very interested in at least one, maybe a couple.

Thanks for putting this together.

ET

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

Count me too. Without the hardware modification too much hacking to boot from an external USB hard drive, meaning /dev/sda2 for example, I think!

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

Count me in

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

Yes, I'm in.

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

I'd be interested in the USB adapter, but I'd also like to have an adapter from the propriety 4 pole audio/mike plug for the N800 to conventional stereo mini plug.

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

count me in also

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

I'd buy it.

dcarter

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

Sweet! I'm in.

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

I'll definitely buy one! USB keyboard! Yahooo!!

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

It took me a bit of time to figure out what you were asking for here. You want a plug that will adapt a standard mono phone headset to the proprietary headphone plug.

What I would like is an adapter that splits the proprietary headphone/mike plug into a stereo mini phono for headphones and a mono mini for mic, so I could use any computer headset on my N800.

Oh your fancy dongle looks really good to me too. It's the same price as my mini USB male to USB A Male ($2) + F-F gender changer ($8) combo, and it auto-switches as well! Nice.

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

Hello everybody,

Just to let you know that I would also definitely be interested provided that you would be able and prepared to ship the dongle also to Europe (The Netherlands in particular).

Hope you decide to make the formal offer to all soon :-)

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

Glad this thread sprung up well. At this point, I'm in for an adapter, and interested in a dongle. Thanks, Rob.

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

I'm interested as well

Re: USB OTG Adapter Clarification/facts
 

Just to clarify a couple things.

- This would not work for the N810 because the N810 uses a micro-USB, right? Would you possibly be offering an N810 version?

- This adapter is only needed if you don't want to manually enable host mode on the IT correct?

TIA

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

Correct, won't work with the N810 because of the difference in connectors (micro AB on the N810 VS mini B on the N800 I believe); however the idea in changing connectors is that the USB OTG standard specifies an A-B type connector as the way to go (A for when the device is a host, B for when it's a peripheral), so there should be USB OTG adapters made by the big names/manufacturers that will work properly for OTG on the N810 (if not now then mighty soon); the spec clearly states though that a "B" connector should NOT be used for USB OTG Hosts, so we have to build our own for that.

Also as you point out, the adapter is only really needed for automatic switching between host and client mode on the N800; however for most USB devices that contain a cable with a male A connector (designed to plug into your computer's USB port) you'll still need some kind of adapter/gender changer to allow you to connect them to your tablet.

-Rob

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

I would be interested.

I managed to find a female to female connector at the Source Circuity City (in Canada) so I am using that now with the original N800 cable but I would like something more "Streamlined" that would be automatic...

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

I've been reading over the instructions on how to do it and I'm so relieved to find someone who's offering to sell them! I would definitely be interested in either option - I'd just need it to be shipped using a courier service cause the postal system in Egypt is a disaster.

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

I am interested. How much to ship to Sweden? I can pay via the US, I am just visiting here for a few months.

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

I'm interested, but can you send it to Chile (South America) (I prefer normal mailing)

Cheers!

USB OTG Adapters/Dongles for N810?
 

The adapter looks great. Any chance of producing one for the N810... micro USB mail to USB "A" female, with the pins shorted to enable host mode?

If not, I may get an adapter anyway, but this would be much less convenient.

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

Beautiful!! Hope you'll ship to Portugal, 'cos I definitely want one of these! No problems with PayPal, either.

This will replace my dirty hack of an adapter, soldering's not my specialty...

Keep us posted!

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

I just did two more on my own. If you have standard tools but a silver ink pen, it isn't that hard.

http://www.casecooler.com/usbab5pgech.html - it is slightly smaller than most.

The conductive pen is fairly common:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/se...rds=conductive pen&results-process=default&dispatch=search/ref=pd_sl_aw_tops-1_blended_42778668_2&results-process=default

I used an x-acto knife to cut from the top (narrower face) of the mini-b end about 1/8 inch deep and from the top to expose the entire metal top. If I don't do this, the plastic will distort the metal since the far end will be under the plastic.

Then I carefully pried the right side (with the USBAF away, minib toward me) of the top of the mini B (with a needlenose pliers, then thin screwdriver, then the pliers again) until the rightmost two pins are exposed.

I get a drop of conductive ink from the pen and use the head of a needle to apply it across the far back inside of the connector shorting pins 4 and 5 (and avoiding 3).

Then I use a regular and other pair of pliers to bend the metal back into place trying to make sure it fits back properly

I wait a minute or two for the ink to dry, then I try it with a flash drive. If I don't wait, it often doesn't quite work or is intermittent. I also have made sure to keep pin 3 clean.

About 5 minutes total

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

lol, it's pretty funny who international this thread has turned out to be. :)

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

Great idea. Yup, I'll buy one. How soon do you think they'll be available?

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

Sure, count me in. I'm in Canada, so minimal postage cost. I'm handy enough with a soldering iron, but anything that saves me an hour's work for a few $ is good for me!

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

I'm a yes. I think I'd prefer an adapter to a dongle, but I'd buy both.

I gave a yes on the other thread as well, just to stop any over-production.

Can't wait.

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

I'm in for one as well just as soon as I get an N800. (Still just jonesing.) This will make the tablet as useful overall as an SL C3200, as far as I'm concerned, and at about half the cost.

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

Just an update for all interested: I should be receiving the first batch of adapters in the next day or two, so I will post up a link with instructions on how to purchase 'em shortly there after (once I get them modded up and tested of course). Standard postal delivery anywhere in Canada, US or Overseas (for all you international folk out there who have been asking) seems to pretty consistent for item of this size at $9 flat CDN. The adapters themselves will be $6 each CDN (if you're in Canada there's tax on top of everything of course).
If you're looking for private courier service (i.e. UPS) the cost is significantly higher, especially for overseas/international delivery.

Right now there's no google checkout support (I haven't had time to implement it, it's on the to-do list!), so either credit cards or paypal; we don't do paypal through our site as it's not a very good business system, but for anyone that only has paypal available I'll handle those personally.

As for the N810 option that several people have been asking about... if somebody can find/source a micro-AB adapter I'll take a look to see, but at this point I can't find one available anywhere.

-Rob

Re: N800 USB OTG Adapters/Dongles
 

This looks really good Rob, and I for one appreciate your efforts.

One suggestion: if it turns out that these will look exactly like regular straight-through adapters, what about marking them somehow after you make them to provide some sort of distinction? Like with a paintpen.