Database Users

Can the Evo sync with a computer like the Motorola Atrix?

So I just watched a video on the Motorola Atrix, and Wow! I want those features. I'm wondering if any of the geniuses here at xda are working on, or know of a way to make the evo sync with a laptop like the Atrix does with it's netbook type device. This would be amazing. Syncing it with the tv like they do with the Atrix would also be a plus. Is this something Google is behind, or is this all motorola? either way it's pretty sweet, but I like Sprint, and not so much At&t. not interested in trading my new phone either, but man that stuff looks useful. Hope someone has some ideas, thanx.

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hurrycaine3000 said:
So I just watched a video on the Motorola Atrix, and Wow! I want those features. I'm wondering if any of the geniuses here at xda are working on, or know of a way to make the evo sync with a laptop like the Atrix does with it's netbook type device. This would be amazing. Syncing it with the tv like they do with the Atrix would also be a plus. Is this something Google is behind, or is this all motorola? either way it's pretty sweet, but I like Sprint, and not so much At&t. not interested in trading my new phone either, but man that stuff looks useful. Hope someone has some ideas, thanx.
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Click to collapse
Nope, can't do that. There is however an app available now (it's in beta version) that allows full hdmi mirroring to a tv. You just need the app, a special kernel, and an hdmi cable. I've been using it lately, it works nicely. Search in the development section for "full hdmi out"

it would be really amazing, and worth some money to me, if one of the bright minds at xda put their mind on trying to make something like that work for the evo. it would seem that your just porting the software, but that's why i'm not cooking roms. I just don't know enough about the limitations

Last I heard it doesn't "sync" with the netbook. What it does is function like a laptop dock; the netbook takes over as the input device(s) and screen for the phone.
I could be mistaken though.
However, in the event that I'm right, all you would need is the full HDMI out to a HDMI-capable display, and a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Of course, since Sense is crappy closed-source on everything but the kernel, you can't really implement this too well. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a "webtop" mode in CM8 though...

drmacinyasha said:
Last I heard it doesn't "sync" with the netbook. What it does is function like a laptop dock; the netbook takes over as the input device(s) and screen for the phone.
I could be mistaken though.
However, in the event that I'm right, all you would need is the full HDMI out to a HDMI-capable display, and a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Of course, since Sense is crappy closed-source on everything but the kernel, you can't really implement this too well. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a "webtop" mode in CM8 though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice, so in theory Gingerbread could do it? if that is the case however, the $499 retail price on that netbook looking device that the phone docks into, is pretty steep for a screen and a keyboard. guess I'll have to wait and see what comes a long in the months following.

While were on the topic of "atrixing" the Evo, why hasn't there been more monitors released with an HDMI IN feature (like a TV). I cant seem to find anything that looks compact enough to make a small lapdock without looking ghettofied.

norkoastal said:
While were on the topic of "atrixing" the Evo, why hasn't there been more monitors released with an HDMI IN feature (like a TV). I cant seem to find anything that looks compact enough to make a small lapdock without looking ghettofied.
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http://www.newegg.com/
Your argument is invalid.
--Swyped from my EVO

First let me say the Atrix is cool, and it's awesome to see a new cool design like this. BUT, the dock is basically a monitor, a keyboard, and a battery. It adds nothing to the computing power of the phone, and at $500 you could have netbook or a tablet that's more capable. That being said,i still think it's pretty damn cool.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

To those that said it can't be done, wrong, try again. Updated hardware aside, ALL Snapdragon based devices with a usb port can do what the Atrix does from a hardware standpoint, ALL OF THEM. Here's why, the Snapdragon family has usb host built into design.
Here's what's missing:
1. USB host (software)
2. Standard USB device drivers (they do exist)
3. Full UI out via USB to DVI adapter for device without A/V out ports (hmm, software)
4. For devices with A/V out ports, a cable and, let me guess, software
5. Lastly, a KB/mouse, USB hub and a screen or combine the three and you have the Atrix lapdock
The core tech is available, has been for close to 10 years now.

Guys the "laptop dock" is actually a full blown netbook that is software crippled. The only thing it uses the phone for is the internet connection and file storage.

Rakeesh_j said:
Guys the "laptop dock" is actually a full blown netbook that is software crippled. The only thing it uses the phone for is the internet connection and file storage.
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That's incorrect the "laptop dock" its just a shell housing a screen, keyboard, trackpad, and a battery. Its powered by the phones hardware, and a hidden linux os that is built into the phone.
Would be cool to have something similar on the Evo. But I wouldnt pay $500 for a dock that's insane. 0.o

Cole28 said:
That's incorrect the "laptop dock" its just a shell housing a screen, keyboard, trackpad, and a battery. Its powered by the phones hardware, and a hidden linux os that is built into the phone.
Would be cool to have something similar on the Evo. But I wouldnt pay $500 for a dock that's insane. 0.o
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Click to collapse
I think it's stupid. Just buy a dual core netbook for $325, use dropbox, and tether your phone to it. Same thing. Plus you don't have to deal with Moto's bum ass Linux build.
What I'm waiting for is a dock/sync that scales Android/iOS/WebOS/WP7 to a desktop OS. WebOS and maybe WP7/Windows8 look like the most likely to get it right the soonest.

EVO 4G Tablet Dock (Concept) UPDATED

Hey Guys,
I have had this idea for a while and just got around to making some concept renders of a tablet that the EVO would dock into.
This 10.1" tablet would work only when the EVO is docked in it (a la Atrix 4G). The tablet would utilize the camera, headphone jack and processor of the EVO 4G, while using the mini HDMI and USB ports to transmit data and images. There is an internal battery, front facing camera, volume rocker, mini HDMI, and mini USB port on the tablet to make using the device easier.
Advantages of a tablet dock:
-Less expensive (after phone is purchased) than a standalone tablet
-Real integration of phone and tablet (contacts, pictures, apps etc)
-Keeping bulk to one side reduces the torque on the wrist and makes the tablet seem lighter
-Using existing phone to power the tablet reduces the amount of internal components, reducing the thickness of the majority of the tablet
-Uses phone service instead of a separate data plan
Disadvantages:
-Dependant on phone specs (CPU, WiMAX, etc)
-Not compatible with other phones (although I think Google should standardize phone connections and locations)
I would love feedback and suggestions, and keep in mind this is a first gen concept. I will be updating this based on what people have to think.
I have created a sliding dock for my phone which holds the phone firmly in place and connects HDMI and USB in a sliding case (Sedio Innocase with HTC Media Dock modified to fit). This will be used in the prototype tablet.
Enjoy!
Edit: Here's the Atrix 4G dock, as mentioned above:
http://www.cellphonenews.com/wp-content/uploads/cc003c27Laptop-Dock.jpg
And here are multi-touch screen overlays, which I believe work over USB
http://www.22miles.com/hardware/multi-touch-hardware
edited renders to change orientation of the phone.
Added images of dock prototype

wow, this looks ridiculously amazing!!

Holy crap! I was literally imagining something exactly like this last week. Awesome work!

Can I has now? Please!!!!
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App

So what exactly do you do with this concept? Sell it to a manufacturer?

m4rk0358 said:
So what exactly do you do with this concept? Sell it to a manufacturer?
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Click to collapse
I emailed it to HTC and Google but there are a lot of gaps still obviously.
I have no desire to make money off of this, just to get something like this in the market. Maybe a job would be nice haha

The only problem I see would be running honeycomb only when docked unless we plan on always running honeycomb

ellis125 said:
The only problem I see would be running honeycomb only when docked unless we plan on always running honeycomb
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haha thats just me being hopeful. It could run gingerbread or icecream

I'd buy this.
Another cool thing about it, it could run off of the Evo's service. You wouldnt have to get an extra plan to use it.
I'm not sure what the Atrix is, but were you thinking something like the phone in that motorola commercial where the guy is in custody at the airport, and trying to tell the cop that its a phone, AND a computer?

Now, if we can just get the batt issue fixed on our lovely evos; I'm wondering whats needed to power the lcd?

davilu said:
Now, if we can just get the batt issue fixed on our lovely evos; I'm wondering whats needed to power the lcd?
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Click to collapse
could have its own battery right?

jasongthang said:
I'd buy this.
Another cool thing about it, it could run off of the Evo's service. You wouldnt have to get an extra plan to use it.
I'm not sure what the Atrix is, but were you thinking something like the phone in that motorola commercial where the guy is in custody at the airport, and trying to tell the cop that its a phone, AND a computer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it would just be an extension of the phone, service and all. The atrix is that phone you mentioned with the laptop dock, but they use a custom linux operating system that boots when the phone is "docked". This could either just mirror the existing OS or could load honeycomb or some other operating system.

This is awesome and all. But again, how will touch inputs work? Has anyone attempted to get clone the screen, via HDMI, to a touchscreen panel and have it work both ways on inputs?
That all happens at the hardware level, PCB, etc., etc.
This is an excellent concept but unless the phone is built with being able to use an EXTERNAL touchscreen it's not going to work.

jasongthang said:
could have its own battery right?
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Click to collapse
yeah exactly, just like the Atrix laptop dock.
There's definately room there for three flat batteries between the screen and the and case. If the can fit batteries in the Galaxy Tab 10.1 or the IPad 2, they can do it here.
Thank for all of the responses, I guess I'll have to make some new renders soon with the phone and different angles to keep up the interest

goodboynyc said:
This is awesome and all. But again, how will touch inputs work? Has anyone attempted to get clone the screen, via HDMI, to a touchscreen panel and have it work both ways on inputs?
That all happens at the hardware level, PCB, etc., etc.
This is an excellent concept but unless the phone is built with being able to use an EXTERNAL touchscreen it's not going to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's the hardest part about this, and you're entirely right. We need some way of essentially splicing into the EVO 4G's digitizer and pretending that the tablet's touchscreen is the same. That, or we can emulate touch as a mouse (which is enabled on custom ROMS) and send signals via bluetooth, which would be very laggy and battery intensive.
I know that you can buy touch screen overlays for netbooks that enable touch over USB, so there is hope! Unfortunately, these usually are single touch and not very accurate, and they are another layer that needs to be applied to the screen.
I think that if HTC or any large company were to create a tablet like this, they would be able to integrate a solution with a phone the way the Atrix works. Hopefully this becomes a trend!

Sweet idea. I'd love to have this set up. I hope HTC likes it.
Sent from my rooted EVO using tapatalk!

a tab that makes calls??????!!!!!!!
where do I buy one? don't give me prices, take mah munny and gimme!

This looks really neat, and with recent HDMI developments almost possible.

Its amazing. If htc is not interested maybe some chinese manufacturer could help. It is really a good idea.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Homemade Tablet? An Idea.

Ok, so here's my dilemma. I want a convertible tablet pc. Problem is though, I think all of the ones on the market are poop. They either run android (I don't see the point still) and iOS, or are clunky and rediculously expensive. But I had a extremley bright idea. Buy whatever laptop I like, slap a touchscreen on that *****, and be happy. Keep in mind that as a poor college student with no job, I will probably never be able to afford this
1. Take apart laptop completley, Rip out the green bullcrap.
2. Mod case to be suitable as a convertible...or just look cool.
3. Rverse USB port to face inside
4. Close USB off from the outside
5. Get a USB Touchscreen conversion kit, which im sure come in many different flavors (Capacitive, Multitouch, Resistive), or better yet use a connector designed for computer internals, making #3 and #4 useless.
6. Add 3rd party accelerometer for Poitrait/Landscape orientation
7. Find a suitable hinge (or make one) and replace it
8. Boot laptop, install drivers for touchscreen and accelerometer
9. Pat myself on the back for custom making a tablet PC?
In my opinion the hardest part would be modding the case to be suitable as a convertible tablet, which can't be too hard. I have access to MIG/TIG welders, sheet metal cutters, grinders, ect. and I know people who know how to use them, so working with metal shouldn't be too dificult. In fact, I probably could just build a case myself from scratch. I also have alot of experience with plastic, so that's not a problem although I'd prefer to use metal for structural parts.
Touchscreen conversion kits seem to be all over the internet with a quick google search, and it shouldn't be too hard to find high quality capacitive touchscreen panels.
Walcom Bamboo Stylus because I'm a G
Accelerometers that work with windows I don't know about, but it cant be too hard Amirite? You can find ANYTHING for sale on the internet.
If I do do this however it will probably be in the summer (when I have a job). The only probelm I might have is the internals, seeing as I've never handled computer internals before. My brother did build his computer though, and I have a friend who also builds computers. It dosen't seem too hard compared to the other stuff like modding the case. While the laptop is dissasembled I'd probably put the parts in ziplock bags to keep them away from dirt and debris while I'm not using them. As long as I'm careful I don't thinkim going to mess anything up.
Good idea or no?

Good idea. Just keep in mind that the whole thing would be much heavier than a regular tablet, so holding it in hand would be difficult.
I have seen an EEE PC modded with a touchscreen, but the keyboard part was still there.

Just get a transformer lol...
What is wrong with Android? What is it you need to do that it won't?
My other idea would be to tell you most android devices are capable of running linux too?
Sounds like alot of work..and there are suitable models on the market, but if you wanna do it?
By the time you get around to it I wonder where technology will be...
PS ziplock bags? NO! Get some static bags..ziplocs are crazy static-charged! Honestly though, sounds like you are a good deal away from being able to deconstruct and reconstruct a laptop..the integrated circuits are ridiculously small and fragile..
PPS The hardest part might be actually getting the accelerometer sensors to function..which is where android comes in..you have to actually write some code into your operating system that will recognize and react accordingly withing the right parameters in your code..devs on this sight have problems with accelerometers that otherwise worked on a stock rom on OEM machines, god knows what it would take to get one working on a machine that never intended to have one by design?
That is all

What's old is new again
It's funny we did something similar a few years ago to build PC's into cars and trucks. For that application and at that time it made sense. Today we essentially just make custom docks for COTS tablets so that they integrate with the car.
If you're opposed to Android and other mobile OS's my suggestion is to start looking around craigslist for convertible tablet/laptops like those from HP and Dell or look for a cheap HP slate. I've seen gently used Slates going for around $200-300 and they run windows 8 reasonably well. I've seen convertibles close to that price as well.
Unless you are just dead set on a fabrication project i'd strongly suggest taking advantage of off the shelf hardware and mass production pricing and spend your extra time and money learning how to get the most of of those components.
If you do go ahead with this then weight and cost will be your biggest issues. I think a better twist on this would be to figure out how to make a transformer type of dock for other popular tablets. If you can make them well and make them cheap then sell a few and buy what you really want.

The reason I don't like android is because It's not a desktop OS. I'll be building this tablet-y thing for graphics/image editing, word processing and a little bit of gaming in between and I'm not 100% sure about android graphics programs. I like to keep it simple and use MS Paint, then GIMP if i need a more powerful program. I'm also a windows fanboy and it's what I've been using ever since I was 2... I also like to build things.
I hate the transformer prime. I want a convertible tablet, not a tablet and a little dock thingy...won't serve my purposes.
I didn't know Ziplock bags are staticy by nature. Thanks for the tip.
As far as the accelerometer, I don't know much about them but if it's super difficult I'm probably not going to bother with it. I'll maybe install a switch?

It's hard to beat windows for functionality but you might check out paint.net as a free replacement for paint.
Over all though I get the idea that you're a little in over your head on this.
Sent from my HTC Flyer using XDA App

LexusFman said:
I hate the transformer prime. I want a convertible tablet, not a tablet and a little dock thingy...won't serve my purposes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you seen the Eee Pad Slider?
Also, Adobe photoshop for android = $10
https://market.android.com/details?id=air.com.adobe.pstouch&hl=en

LexusFman said:
The reason I don't like android is because It's not a desktop OS. I'll be building this tablet-y thing for graphics/image editing, word processing and a little bit of gaming in between and I'm not 100% sure about android graphics programs. I like to keep it simple and use MS Paint, then GIMP if i need a more powerful program. I'm also a windows fanboy and it's what I've been using ever since I was 2... I also like to build things.
I hate the transformer prime. I want a convertible tablet, not a tablet and a little dock thingy...won't serve my purposes.
I didn't know Ziplock bags are staticy by nature. Thanks for the tip.
As far as the accelerometer, I don't know much about them but if it's super difficult I'm probably not going to bother with it. I'll maybe install a switch?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, I've got photoshop, an office suite, and tons of games, I'd never have to touch a PC again..I am a graphic designer by trade! I can even watch hulu (something not supposed to be capable of on android platforms), I've got a nice stylus and a full qwerty keyboard and mouse- I'm working on the OG transformer not the Prime, as far as I can tell the Prime was pushed too quickly and has issues with all of it's radios due to the metal shell..the TF101 does not have these issues, and the TF700 (basically the prime with the GPS and radios fixed and better resoultion) is available if you don't want to go for the OG transformer.
Seriously sounds like you're trying feverishly to open a can of worms to get a windows tablet when in reality there is no need and windows is given a run for it's money with the new ICS android on the way. Trying to unlock a windows phone after unlocking a whole bunch of Android devices would quickly turn you off of Microsoft as an OS IMO, that's what made me an Android fanboy (I was a windows guy previously, now I'm leaning more and more towards linux/android for their open source code user-friendly programability). But, if you are determined to do something the hard way = the expensive and labor/time-consuming way, no one is going to stop you
Just remember- in the world of technology things are done: Right, Cheap, and/or Fast. BUT, you can only choose two..

I've done this already with a eeePC 700.
1. The resistive touchscreen. You'll need a stylus for that.
2. Typing with a stylus is horrible.
3. It was heavy. Even when it was only 7inch screen. The battery made it heavy. (but I had 9hours of battery life)
4. You couldn't navigate the boot menu (without an external keyboard)
5. Resistive touchscreen is crap for drawing, because you still want to support your hand on the screen while drawing, which you couldn't do.
6. Moving Items around sucked (no drag and drop)
and many more.
I used it in my bed, for browsing. was good enough, until the touchscreen cable snapped. (I didn't have an external keyboard, so I had to open the tablet, connect the keyboard, and navigate the boot menu when I had to)
Hope this helped. Though it was fun to build it and use it, it's not what you would call an 'every day' tablet

romitkin said:
Good idea. Just keep in mind that the whole thing would be much heavier than a regular tablet, so holding it in hand would be difficult.
I have seen an EEE PC modded with a touchscreen, but the keyboard part was still there.
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Click to collapse
I don't think it would be much heavier, in fact I think the idea is perfect for modification of a netbook. It would probably be cheapest. since so much case modding is required and so many enclosure fabrication resources are handy, to put together a frankenstein out of 2 or 3 broken netbooks. Find someone who smashed the screen of one netbook, another one who fried the board of theirs, find a total-loss broken tablet PC (like dropped in lake michigan level of total loss so it will cost pennies) and get the ribbon cable and swivel element from there. I think if this idea is applied to a netbook it would be excellent in size and weight as well as functionality. And with the x86 version of android's progress, it could even be running android like a tablet in screen out mode, and change to webtop mode when its swiveled. Put a netbook mobile broadband card in there, many netbooks have open card expansions under the screw-out panels underneath, if not you would have to choose between wifi or taking the wifi expansion out in favor of a mobile broadband card, and certainly make sure that the card is supported by your wireless provider if you choose to go the mobile broadband route. With verizon or sprint you will most likely have to acquire a mobile broadband card out of a netbook that was originally sold by the company, but be sure to check and make sure the MEID is clean before paying anything for one, if the seller defaulted on a contract they used to acquire it, you might as well flash the thing to cricket or metroPCS and use them as your mobile broadband carrier. With either wifi or mobile broadband, as well as bluetooth, don't forget the antenna! yeah that thing you have to unhook from the other side of the card to take it out, you need that. (oh yeah, bluetooths are included as expansion cards sometimes too, if so you could always remove this to make room for the mobile broadband if you don't use bluetooth. I sure don't and probably wont until they drop the rediculous prices of non-audio bluetooth interfaces to acceptable and competative levels.)
That project actually sounds pretty freakin cool, the type of thing I'd do if I wasn't already swamped with projects. Definetly keep us posted if you decide to go through with it, as I pointed out, if you build it from netbook parts it should be well within your budget, netbooks run much cheaper then notebooks already, but a netbook is comperable in power to most current android devices and thus is suitable to handle most things you'd use a tablet PC for, just not high powered stuff like compiling code or rendering animation or playing 3d online games.
Edit: I'd like to add and point out that as a regular user of an acer netbook running ubuntu, it is wise to refrain from excessive multitasking, the atom had to sacrifice a bit of things we've become accustomed to in notebooks to meet the low power consumption and operating temperature requirements, and a lot of those things are things that mostly benefit multitasking. You will not be happy if you try and run a jillion programs at the same time.
That being said ubuntu's new primary UI, I forget what it's called evolve or something like that, it is an excellent UI for netbooks, perfectly space-optimized, especially in the vertical range which gets filled quick on lil netbook screens. I'm not sold on it and prefer to go with gnome or xfce on desktops and normal-sized notebooks, but it is top-notch on a netbook. I'd also recommend not messing with the accelerometer at first and including it later as it may be a pain to implement correctly in comparison to the limited amount of functionality it brings to the table. I'd rather have something that works personally that I can make additions to then pull my hair out trying to throw everything in the first time right.
---------- Post added at 10:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:47 AM ----------
Will_nonya said:
It's hard to beat windows for functionality but you might check out paint.net as a free replacement for paint.
Over all though I get the idea that you're a little in over your head on this.
Sent from my HTC Flyer using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have to LMAO @ this comment. If users would ever actually push developers to release for the linux platform, especially hardware manufacturers (which is ridiculous since all they would have to do is release their code open source, or even just parts of their code and the community would do the rest. Doesn't matter much tho, it's mostly crappy chinese hardware that isn't supported by linux, and their HQs more then likely don't speak enough english to be able to request anything, beleive me I've tried to contact MSI before.... most hardware worth running is fully supported tho)
But point is, I feel like it is extremely cumbersome whenever I'm forced to use windows, apart from trying to use unsupported hardware or cross-platform software (although wine and mono have made GIGANTIC leaps in usability). I pretty much never have to deal with drivers, updates to all software happens automatically, it's become so self-maintaining that I'm ashamed of how lazy of a linux user I've become. When I actually do have to do something even remotely advanced I have to think for a minute about it. Usually the only thing that really requires a lot of getting under the hood that I ever have to do is when I set up my audio-production setups which is even a lot easier now that they have dedicated repositories for them, and when set up correctly the real time preemptable kernel will run circles around any windows or OSX setup latency-wise. I was pulling lower latency with computers recording with ardour, and sequencing/synthesizing/sampling with seq24 amSynth, and qsampler, 5 years older then any PC I would test it against running windows with Reason and Protools. the Jack audio drivers that allowed software to plug audio inbetween applications directly across the PCM was just icing on the cake.
Windows is good software, but linux has certainly surpassed it by leaps and bounds. Windows still rules for gaming because of directX and industry unwillingness to port to linux, but the period of time right after Microsoft declared it was removing directX support from XP on further releases saw linux catch up with windows for a little while as they rushed wine to support the newest directX making it actually possible to actually run new releases under windowsXP even. Curses microsoft, foiled again! And off topic, but furthermore, I can't believe people still pay so much money for that god damn talking paper clip, openoffice.org ftw!
As I said windows isn't bad software, I said before in these forums actually that if windows ran a microsoft controlled repository to distribute all software for windows through, like linux, it would have similarly non-existant problems with viruses. Having people go around the wild-west of the internet downloading and installing programs from there without even thinking about it is just asking for the malware and adware problems windows experiences. Windows is good software, linux is just much better software.

Too complicated...
On a second thought how about moding a cheap Tablet with better parts. Is it even possible like are the parts such as a processor, camera, or the radio chip available for tablets and phones.

Why dnt you get a transformer?

In my opinion, it would just be better to settle for an table, prices are gonna drop really soon. The market for Eee PC's alike has diminished since the release of the ipad.

This is a wonderful opinion. The things mentioned are unanimous and needs to be appreciated by everyone.

A lot of things to doo, better start with a simple tablet and try to upgrade it if possible... dont know if its possible btw.

I did something almost like this.
Took apart a dirt cheap acer aspire one with a small 8 GB SDD.
Small 280 Atom 1.6GHz cpu and cheap intel GMA gpu.
Inverted the screen
Added a extra 512MB ram and inserted a 16GB SD card.
My battery however did not stand up to the task so i ordered a 9 cell pack.
It ran quite stable with 6 days standby or 12hours of heavy usage.
The lack of a accelerometer however made it a pain for quite a few games.
But i did have a vague plan to get value's from it into the android OS using a AVR and a few other cheap parts.
Many manufacturers still produce cheap atom notebooks like these.
But hardware specs have gotten better and better, so you should be able to pick one up for cheap still.

http://www.axiotron.com
Soooo 2008...

I'm doing this with an old pentium 3 thinkbook. I know its not really that great of a computer but it at least redeems it as a usable device.

sounds interesting will looking forward for it....

Good Idea!

no chance of a section for the dell venue 8 pro tablet?

And... any plans for a windows 8 app for xda?

I would like one as well. These tabs are capable of so much that this is now my sole computer for school work. Audio is super loud, no beats hack needed and it can run ccleaner. How could you guys NOT be on board?

I will request this as well. I just got my Venue 8 Pro and all I can say is WOW! it beats any of my Android tablets hands down. It has become my go to tablet for everything. I'm even starting to like Windows 8.1 I just wish I could install apps to the SD card. Hopefully someone will fix that...

texasredrider said:
I will request this as well. I just got my Venue 8 Pro and all I can say is WOW! it beats any of my Android tablets hands down. It has become my go to tablet for everything. I'm even starting to like Windows 8.1 I just wish I could install apps to the SD card. Hopefully someone will fix that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also have one, great tablet, I would like to see this too..........

I just got one yesterday and I mostly love it but with a few issues:
1. Using the USB port as a charge and device connector through USB OTG. Basically this means you can't use a device AND charge at the same time. No way to make a dock either. The should have at least put pogo pins on the outside of the case or put a Qi charger panel on the battery... Oh.. side complaint: 2A charger needed. So while it uses a USB cable, few PCs will have the chops to charge this thing. Then again, same for my Samsung Note 10.1 and the Apple iPad series.
2. No mini-HDMI, MHL or SlimPort support. You can hang a USB video card on it, but then you can't charge it and those things suck power. So we're talking powered USB hub... Miracast really doesn't cut it. Nothing supports it and external Miracast dongles are not cheap.
3. No GPS. I know this isn't standard on Windows devices, but it's very common on Android devices. Mind you - you should be able to use your phone to provide GPS data (ot to mention internet connections) over Bluetooth, so that's not as bad as it might seem.
4. Screen resolution. Ok - I'm actually of mixed minds on this - I'd like 1920x1200 - but even at 1280x800 the text seems small when you're in desktop mode...
5. Stereo speakers would be nice - but yeah, the one they include is LOUD.
6. 4GB RAM option would have been nice too.
None of these are killers - although 1 comes close. Still, the ability to run Visual Studio and do development on a tablet I can keep in my jacket pocket is really amazing... and even more amazing at $350.

It's not without compromises sure but it is one hell of an amazing tablet I No longer have a pc or laptop, I bought the official Keyboard and a cheap bluetooth mouse and I can work on it as well as play on it
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My other phone's a Ferrari.

Charge + USB option.
TheWerewolf said:
I just got one yesterday and I mostly love it but with a few issues:
1. Using the USB port as a charge and device connector through USB OTG. Basically this means you can't use a device AND charge at the same time. No way to make a dock either. The should have at least put pogo pins on the outside of the case or put a Qi charger panel on the battery... Oh.. side complaint: 2A charger needed. So while it uses a USB cable, few PCs will have the chops to charge this thing. Then again, same for my Samsung Note 10.1 and the Apple iPad series.
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Try this: http://www.toddklindt.com/ChargeDV8
Scott

urphonesux said:
I would like one as well. These tabs are capable of so much that this is now my sole computer for school work. Audio is super loud, no beats hack needed and it can run ccleaner. How could you guys NOT be on board?
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Hay just got a Dell Venue 8 Pro 64gig yesterday how do I make a bootable backup of the recovery image to a USB stick so I can have more space on my Tablet thanks

matthewtech770 said:
Hay just got a Dell Venue 8 Pro 64gig yesterday how do I make a bootable backup of the recovery image to a USB stick so I can have more space on my Tablet thanks
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Go here to find everything you need to know

Just got my Dell Venue Pro 8
I just got my Dell Venue Pro 8 and I was so surprised. Wow. I have also an iPad Air and Nexus 7 2013, but this tablet is going to be my favorite for a long time I think. Able to install Spotify, CCleaner, and was surprise by the quality of the windows 8 apps. For ex: FB, Twitter, Foursquare, but also Nook (as epub reader), FitBit, Netflix, OneNote, etc. Excellent surprise.

i am using it as a pc in my studio during the week.
great for surfing, youtube, office work, etc
i am totally happy with it :cyclops:

I love mine as well. If you're thinking of getting one don't hesitate.

[Q] How Can These 2 Be Combined?

My Core Question:
WHY do no Android tablets have video INPUTS on them, so they could also be used as portable HD screens?
(or better yet as portable HD, multi-touch screens)
Basic Idea: I want an Android Tablet that can ALSO do what the GeChic on-lap 1002 can do (even if that didn't include touch). The on-lap 1002 is a highly portable 10" 10-point touchscreen that plays video from any HDMI source (or vga with included adapter). It is powered by USB plugged into either a usb-charger style wall adapter or directly into a PC. The best part is that if it is plugged into a PC, it not only draws power there but also sends touch commands to the PC through the USB at the same time. Great for portable gaming or a second screen BUT they are about $250 for the 10" and about $400 for the 15.6" and they have no OS, or stand-alone capabilities at all. I want a tablet that is always useful as a stand-alone, but when the situation calls for it, can also do the on-lap's job! (If on-lap still isn't clear to you then here is a video of it's big brother the 15.6" version).
I realize that adding a feature can increase the price and/or size of a tablet, but MOST of the parts that they both use overlap, so I don't think that the increase in either would be all that big. An HD 10-point capacitive touch screen has to be the biggest part and single cost in both (so making one screen do both functions only makes sense for size and cost) and the same USB components could be used, same body, bezel, buttons, etc. Admittedly, some components would probably have to be modified like the screen control board. That might cost a bit more/be a little bigger as a combo item, but still shouldn't be anywhere near double sized or double cost... so go ahead and add a little bit of cost or a few millimeters of thickness if that's what it takes! I would gladly pay an extra $50-100 (and probably willingly pay a fair bit more) for a tablet to add this feature and that certainly SEEMS attainable.
I have done literally days worth of Googling and have read MANY threads (some in this forum) with people asking IF there are any tablets with an HDMI input. At this point I am 99.999% convinced there are NONE (but I would be VERY HAPPY to be proven wrong). In order to be 100% sure and let my brain rest... I just have to have some idea WHY doesn't it exist? I am hoping that some of the hardware experts and creative-minded modders that frequent this forum can help me understand what I'm missing or better yet help make it happen. THANKS IN ADVANCE TO ALL!!!
Some Clarification:
1.) I just want to re-enforce that I am asking about INPUTs, not outputs. You wouldn't believe how much confusion there was about the difference in a few of the threads I read on some DSLR sites
2.) HDMI seems like the logical choice, so I may use it in examples, but my question is really about ANY video input regardless of port-type.
3.) I know that video ports only serve as EITHER a video input or output, not both from the same port (Some day a single port that did both would be nice, but for now) couldn't a tab easily have 2 ports, one in and one out or am i missing something simple?
4.) There is one answer I DO NOT BUY. Which is that 'there is not enough demand for anyone to bother adding an input to a tablet'. I have read several threads that have asked if it exists since 2011 for everything from DSLR photographers, gamers, car-PC builders, RaspberryPi fanatics, techs that want a portable workstation to connect to servers etc etc etc. Whole product lines or even companies (like GeChic) are based on portable screens, so I don't accept the premise that there is no demand. Besides, even if there WERE small demand, that would explain why they DON'T ALL have it, not why NONE have it. All I can conclude is that I am missing something and it must be a much bigger hardware challenge than I realize.

That'd be SWEET!
duckdodger24th said:
I want an Android Tablet that can ALSO do what the GeChic on-lap 1002 can do
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Well thanks... I want that Too... NOW! haha.
In fact, I might actually buy one of the "on-lap"s you talked about for traveling (thanks for culling me into them!). But it would be awesome if my Nexus could just do it! Or better yet, if they would put some droid guts and a battery in that 10inch on-lap (I have decided too late that I like 10" tabs way more than 7s)
Unfortunately, I don't have the chops to answer your question. In fact, I'm with you that it seems awesome and yet reasonable. But there are some brilliant modsters on here, so I hope you get some help because it's a great idea. Good Luck!

sizes itedqun
DigMyDroid said:
thanks for culling me into them!
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Your Welcome... Assuming that was meant to say "clueing" you in
I am thinking about doing an in-dash car install of a table. But I would LOVE it if it doubled as a monitor that I could also use for a more elaborate windows7 car-PC for a possible later project. That is what made me first want it. I think I have some work-around ideas to fit those specific needs... but once I thought about it I couldn't help but think of how versatile it would be and a whole laundry list of potential uses!

duckdodger24th said:
Your Welcome... Assuming that was meant to say "clueing" you in
I am thinking about doing an in-dash car install of a table. But I would LOVE it if it doubled as a monitor that I could also use for a more elaborate windows7 car-PC...
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HAHA yes! that WAS meant to saying "clueing"... But... Ya know... typos happen... Unless, of course, you actually ARE planning to install a "table" into your car's dash, rather than a "tablet"!

DigMyDroid said:
HAHA yes! that WAS meant to saying "clueing"... But... Ya know... typos happen... Unless, of course, you actually ARE planning to install a "table" into your car's dash, rather than a "tablet"!
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Touché Sir!