Old HTC Evo 4G needs new life - Hardware Hacking General

I've been thinking about what I could do with an old smartphone. I've done a lot of googling and see most people use their device for internet phone calls, media, wifi only, etc... but I want to do something more.
it has so many sensors and an hdmi port that i think should be made useful. Looking for some suggestions.

If it has hdmi, hook it up to your tv as a media player- play movies from it etc. get a wireless usb/keyboard mouse and connect it to your phone with a usb otg adapter. Connect to your home pc with ES File Explorer.

I mean, what could I do if I took the phone apart and utilized the internals for another project?
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Related

Best way to repurpose G1

I switched to a Droid X for almost 6 months now, and my G1 just sits on my shelf. What's the best way to repurpose my old G1? I have considered donating it to a good dev so they can make good use of it, but what are other options?
Some of them just use it as the backup phone. Other pass it down to their familiy members (ie: kids, etc...) I got mine from my brother as a pass me down.
Some of the others users here using it to test the new ROM for G1. (bascially becoming the tester for the ROM).
Emulator machine. that's what I use my cliq for the d pad its great for nintendo rpgs
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And of course a great backup I'd your phone takes a dump
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I use one of mine as a WiFi streaming audio player for the home sound system.
The other is my backup, sitting ready to take over should my Vibrant kick the bucket.
Sent from my G1 using XDA App.
phone backup is out of the question , moving from t-mobile to verizon :/
i have used my g1 for controlling my pc from my bed, which was convenient, but eventually just stopped
thanks for the suggestions, if anyone else got something, i'd be glad to hear it
I use mine as a dedicated handset for voip and to stop the kids stealing my galaxy to play stupid disney puzzles
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you could donate to someone ... for example me hahah.
I just use mine as an alarm, lol.
you can surf the web via wifi soo uhhh yeah like blacra said stream music or uhhh fill it with apps to play and try... paperwieght..??? lol i could always use a spare G1 for testing lol
Turn it into a car music player. You'd need
-USB host drivers for the G1 (works on Android 2.2)
-mini-USB splitter/headphone adapter (it'd need a USB and headphone jack)
-AUX jack on the car radio
-3.5mm cable (goes from headphone adapter to AUX)
-mini-USB to USB cable
-powered USB hub and car adapter
-portable hard drive
Kind of a lot but you could get one heck of a music collection on a portable hard drive.
Maave said:
Turn it into a car music player. You'd need
-USB host drivers for the G1 (works on Android 2.2)
-mini-USB splitter/headphone adapter (it'd need a USB and headphone jack)
-AUX jack on the car radio
-3.5mm cable (goes from headphone adapter to AUX)
-mini-USB to USB cable
-powered USB hub and car adapter
-portable hard drive
Kind of a lot but you could get one heck of a music collection on a portable hard drive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second this
Its the best use for this thing if you dont use it, mines has been sitting on the shelf with my other old phones and hasnt been touched in months.
Hm, I not sure if both the audio adapter and the USB host drivers can work at the same time. Lots of people have done HDD mounting but nobody has tried using output at the same time.
Crap, what a time not to have my USB adapter. Maybe I can pick one up at the flea market.
Well if it does work, why stop there? Plug it into a home audio system. Find an app that allows you to control the music on the G1 from your other phone. Tada! Remote controlled 1TB stereo system. If the G1 wasn't such a weak phone you could turn it into an HTPC.
I used one of my old G1 to use as a walkie talkie. I can use the push to talk app to talk to my kids while there home on Wi-Fi.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App

ICS now allows us to connect USB MIDI controllers to our NOTE!

I upgraded to ICS tonight and one of the best new features for me is the ability to now connect a USB MIDI controller via USB OTG.
This is awesome for me, and one of the areas that iOS absolutely kills Android.
Android still has a long way to go before it can offer anything like iOS for music creation, but this is a big step in the right direction.
I made a quick and rough video to show it working.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GygpDwYMVk
If you have a USB controller that is bus powered, then you can play your keyboard anywhere!
We just need more apps that support this feature now. I only know of one (the Grand Piano app I use in the video).
If anyone knows of any others, please let me know.
Cheers,
Rich
PS - I wasn't sure if this belongs in General, Accessories or Apps, so if it's in the wrong place, please move it.
I would kill to have AniMoog on an Android device with a midi controller. I play that APP for hours on end and is the only reason I keep the ipad. I'm an absolute sucker for Analog synth sounds. I may just skip the Ipad next go around and buy a Moog.
I think the display on the Note is too small for that app. Here's hoping Android gets some good synth apps soon.
Yeah, I think for live performance you would a 9 or 10" tablet. Although if you have the hardware controllers to adjust parameters, you just need the processing power of the device and be able to read the screen. You wouldn't need to use the screen to adjust fiddly knobs. But I doubt revs would write an appointment that requires an external device to be used effectively.
But if an app like Caustic had USB midi support, it would great for songwriting or noodling with ideas on the go.
The synthetic screens in that app aren't too cramped on the Note. I was even using it on the Galaxy S without a problem.
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Korg Nanopad
I couldn't get the korg nanopad to work, (as in be recognized in USB MIDI Monitor)
This would be sweet for practicing my finger drumming on my lunch break or such.
I also have Maschine, but it blinks twice and then goes dark, I think it draws too much power. I plan to try a powered USB hub when I find the power supply.
Galaxy Note to Yamaha PSR I425
Hi,
I tried to connect my Galaxy note to Y PSR I425 USB using OTG adapter, the USB Midi monitor application detects the presence (as it pops up from the background) of some device, but eventually says "No midi device connected". Any idea? Any other app works with midi devices?
Thanks
Does that Yamaha keyboard allow you to connect as a standard midi controller?
If you plug it into your pc, does windows recognise it, or do you need to install a driver for it?
I haven't found any apps yet except the piano and pipe organ by the same developer
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richlum said:
Does that Yamaha keyboard allow you to connect as a standard midi controller?
If you plug it into your pc, does windows recognise it, or do you need to install a driver for it?
I haven't found any apps yet except the piano and pipe organ by the same developer
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I am able to connect my PSR-I425 to Windows 7 (64bit) OS. This keyboard uses Midi via USB. Ofcourse you need a driver that comes with the CD (also downloadable I guess).
If you need to install a driver on win7, then it's not a standard usb-midi input device. Standard devices don't need a special driver for windows to recognise it as a midi device.
Android only works with standard usb-midi devices.
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vga output
I suppose it depends on each user. For me one of the killing points from the Note (and for tab p7300) is the capability to connect through the right connector an vga projector. This is awesome for me as I use this devices for my work. In parallel I use a pointer connected by blue tooth.
richlum said:
If you need to install a driver on win7, then it's not a standard usb-midi input device. Standard devices don't need a special driver for windows to recognise it as a midi device.
Android only works with standard usb-midi devices.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a Yamaha motif es 8 that to connect to the computer needs drivers through the USB. What if I connect it through the midi ports with one of those midi usb would that work for android?
I'm not sure.
If you have one available without buying one, then it can't hurt to try...
BTW, the midi implementation on Caustic 3 is pretty cool.
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Unfortunately I don't have one handy. Funny thing is I had a USB Host cable and even an otg cable so it's cool I found one on amazon for like $8. Will try the midi USB and report back...
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Very cool Android TV dongle, Jelly bean, dual core, sweet...

Not sure if anyone wants one of these but I got one for an upstairs TV and its SWEET! Turned the older TV into a smart TV. Android 4.1, Full wifi, Netflix (my main reason for getting it, wasn't pre-installed though, had to install it myself) and so on. Basically turns your TV into a huge tablet. Just need an HDMI port on your TV and a USB port for power (it does have a separate USB power supply if you don't have a USB on your TV)
I used a bluetooth dongle with it and connected a keyboard and mouse and it's awesome. Also has an OTG cable and port to plug in a portable HDD, thumb drive, etc. Turned our bedroom TV into a complete media center. Very cool.
Cost $68 on Amazon (plus $2 for a BT dongle through deal extreme and used an older bluetooth keyboard/mouse combo thing I l already had). I also stuck a 32BG micro SD card in it but don't really see using it much (maybe if I install a million apps), just thumb drives to watch downloaded movies. All in all, it turned out great. Turned an older TV into a smart TV with wifi, internet access, and a drive reader on it.
Looks good on paper. How good does it perform???
Does anyone else have this???
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and how do you control it? can you use a phone or tablet? do u need a remote?
I have an MK808. You can use a USB keyboard and mouse or pick up an wireless Air Mouse for like $20. The Air Mice are like Wii Motes that use gyros and have built-in keyboards. Amazon has tons of models. I like the Messy RC11 cause it feels goo in hand.
I bought mine to tinker and mostly play emulators on the TV. The 808 plays FPse games petty good. Some newer units have said to be faster.
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My S2 as a Smart TV hub idea

Hi all,
I had my S2 for a while now and I'm thinking of just connecting it to my TV to be use as a smart hub (media centre) as I don't have a smart TV. I'm sure I'm not alone with an aging S2 and moving onto a newer smart phone.
My Idea are:
- connect the S2 via HDMI to the TV
- use a small Bluetooth keyboard with track pad or maybe some other remote.
- try out probably XBMC
- Disable any phone feature from it (ie phone, sms, etc..)
My goal are:
- use it as a online player - Netflix, youtube, etc...
- Skype
- video player
- stream video from network
- audio player
This will be my first attempt and will be spending some money for the accessories.
Has anyone done a similar set up.
It will be great for some opinions or advice. Or issues it might not work.
Interesting idea.
You might want to think about how you're going to use it with the limited battery life first, because you won't be able to charge the phone when connected through HDMI.
I already do this occasionally albiet minus the keyboard atm,... I use it on short breaks away I took my Mhl cable and a short 1m hdmi cable to plug into the tv in the hotel room using Catchup TV app for more channels than they offered and TV Portal for streaming (free hotel Wi-Fi ftw! )... also use it for some other stuff such as watching avis I have already put on my 32gig card and finally playing my music collection through the tv speakers
re: power supply Mhl cable needs power/charger cable to work anyway also it charges at the same time
I always carry a spare charger
crobat said:
Interesting idea.
You might want to think about how you're going to use it with the limited battery life first, because you won't be able to charge the phone when connected through HDMI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
of course the phone charges when connected to hdmi. it does not even work if not plugged into the power outlet first.
Flog your S2 and buy a Pendroid.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B007FR9OIK
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Raspberry pi with xbmc
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Thanks guys.
I got a mhl cable and it's awesome. just plug it in and it works straight away. Got the cheap version though but I guess it won't make that much difference. All I need to do is get a mod to permanently set it up as landscape mode and probably increase screen size. Will look for a new rom probably that can cater the mod.
Just need to figure this all out before spending more on a keyboard.
I had pretty much the same idea. Works well. Here is my thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2569613
I am going to try running xbmc and see how that goes.
Just to let you know, I installed xbmc...details on my thread (see the above post!)

Got my tn7, what now?

I can't root, since I bought a 1yr warranty, but what cool stuff can I do with this beast? I'm loving every bit of it, but what apps, games, themes, etc should I give a try? How far can it be pushed?
Sent from my TegraNote-P1640 using xda app-developers app
Not Much From Me, But . . .
It is an Android tablet, and it can do what most any Android tablet can do, and faster. I mostly use mine for taking notes and reading/studying. Don't play many games. Video playback is great. Surfing the Internet likewise. Speakers are loud. This thing is fast. Download the AnTuTu benchmark app from the play store and impress your friends. I've been using mine everyday for over a month. No complaints. Enjoy.
It can basically chew through any game you throw at it, and I personally use it for a lot of note taking as well for work. I also use it to watch movies at my desk at work as well.
Connect to your TV wirelessly using an EZCast dongle so you can stream movies etc.
Connect to your TV using a micro HDMI cable, then connect a keyboard and mouse via Bluetooth and you can use it like a little PC. Or you can connect a USB OTG cable to the micro USB port and plug in a keyboard, a mouse, a game controller, or the dongle for a wireless keyboard/mouse combo set and do the same thing. You can also plug in a USB hub to the tablet via a USB OTG cable, then plug things like a mouse or a hard drive into the USB hub....all while the tablet is connected to a TV.
You can also use the magnets in the back to stick it to a fridge. Your life is now complete.
Play some GTA like games with MAX graphics setting!!! Watch movies over wifi, no need to copy onto sd card, this tab has very very goooood battery performance when wifi is on!!!!

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