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-   Nokia N900 (https://talk.maemo.org/forumdisplay.php?f=44)
-   -   N900 will not allow USB OTG! (https://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=31921)

timsamoff 2009-09-24 20:29

Re: N900 will not allow USB OTG!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbH (Post 333056)
"The keyboard isn't as good as my N810's...."

You will really be pleasantly surprised that the N900's keyboard is easier to type on than the N810's. I promise.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbH (Post 333056)
"The display is smaller than the N810's....

Not only will you be pleasantly surprised how unimportant the screen size is, I'll be you are blown away. It is that good.

Don't count it out until it's in your hands. ;)

Tim

allnameswereout 2009-09-26 15:15

Re: N900 will not allow USB OTG!
 
http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/N...ence-Platform/

Its a reference platform though.

Quote:

Processor -- TI OMAP3530 @ 600MHz
Memory -- 128MB DDR II
Flash -- 256MB NAND flash
Flash expansion -- Micro-SD slot
Storage -- 1.8-inch CE-ATA HDD
Display -- 4.3-inch, QVGA (480 x 272) TFT LCD touchscreen
USB -- USB 2.0 Host and OTG support
Wireless connectivity:
WiFi
Bluetooth
GPS
DVB-H
FM tuner
Other features -- VGA camera; 3x3 matrix keyboard
Audio -- Speaker, Mic, headset
Power -- supports 3.7V, 1AH Li-Ion battery
Operating system -- Linux, Android 1.1, and WinCE 6.0

nilchak 2009-09-26 15:39

Re: N900 will not allow USB OTG!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by timsamoff (Post 332962)
I've been trying to follow this thread, but I often scratch my head at some of the use-cases that I'm hearing. In your case, removable media (SD, MMC, whatever) is so cheap now, why not take several with you and use the media itself as backup (i.e., for a 7-day trip, take 7 cards...)? And, if your camera uses microSD, why not just take the card from the camera and put it into the N900 to do the same thing? (If your camera uses regular SD, just slip a microSD card into an adapter.)

Yes, I know that there are valid reasons for USB Host mode, but in most cases, it just sounds like people want a way to (a) backup files, or (b) transfer/sync files. This can all be done via wifi, bluetooth, or USB (connected to a computer).

So... Maybe I'm missing something huge, but I just don't get the importance (for most normal users).

Tim

Tim, I appreciate your suggestions, but unless you have tried it its difficult to comrehent the inconvenience of using multiple SD cards (or any cards) to backup your media.

My use case is a real use case and I did try the SD card method initially on a smaller trip. Its too much of a hassle. I know - hassle <> impossible - but for a real use case when you are travelling and have just the nights at the hotel to backupand clean up your media, the hassle part becomes a big factor. Not this is not some armchair debating I am getting into - its from my practical experience I am speaking about my use case.

And dont even mention backing up video (large videos at 30 FPS from your regular camera (Canon G10) via bluetooth. Now THAT is armchair discussions of technology - not real use case scenarios based on realistic factors. And if I had a computer with me while travelling, we wouldn't even be discussing USB host mode.

Lets just realise deficiencies where there are real deficiencies and not try to pooh-pooh it away. Not that lack of USB mode takes away all positives from the N900, but its simple fact its not there and for peope looking for it, its a missing point. That's all. Not every device is going to fulfill every use case, but that doesn't mean the use case is invalid or not important for some.

Like Qole said, it also does not have a color fax on it. :)

vvaz 2009-09-26 15:52

Re: N900 will not allow USB OTG!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by RobbH (Post 333056)
And none of these negatives (as I perceive them) mean that the N900 is worthless, or that Nokia shouldn't sell it, or that others shouldn't buy it. Taken together, they do mean that it doesn't suit me and I do not intend to buy it now. That's all, and I don't expect Nokia to be distraught over my decision.

Generally I agree with your post (hence "Thanks") but completely disagree with last sentence: I hope Nokia will be distraught enough with my (and few other people) decision to work on this features (USB host/OTG, proper BT profiles support, rotation in my case) and include them in next generation.

Without voicing of my (our?) displeasure it is completely possible Nokia will decide that those features are unimportant and there will be other, more important things to work on.

allnameswereout 2009-09-26 16:22

Re: N900 will not allow USB OTG!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by nilchak (Post 334281)
And dont even mention backing up video (large videos at 30 FPS from your regular camera (Canon G10) via bluetooth. Now THAT is armchair discussions of technology - not real use case scenarios based on realistic factors. And if I had a computer with me while travelling, we wouldn't even be discussing USB host mode.

Did you consider Eye-Fi with which you can use SDIO to use WLAN (works even with MIFI (and Joikuspot) uploading to web right away).

I don't get why people are OK with having 1) a portable HDD 2) USB powered hub 3) USB cable 4) adapter for USB powered hub whereas something like a netbook (which does not require power for some while hence more portable) is the work by the devil. Makes no sense to me.

No offense though. Just trying to think of solution...

attila77 2009-09-26 22:53

Re: N900 will not allow USB OTG!
 
I actually tried eye-fi for a short while, it's ok for for quick snapping (aside from a few quirks), but...
  • 4GB max size
  • Slow. Really, you don't want to be transferring several gigs with it
  • 150$+tax/duty (can't use the cheaper ones as they don't do RAW or Ad Hoc mode)

I'm ok with the host setup (actually mine is a bit simpler as I don't use a HUB but a powered drive) because it was 3x cheaper than the cheapest netbook at the time. As easy as that, no religious hatred towards netbooks (though if I'm lugging a netbook with be, I might not really need a Maemo device for the task...). Also, for some reason transfers where the N810 is the host are a lot faster than when it's connected as mass storage, but that might just be me, and with the extra grunt of a cortex might not be an issue an all.

JayB059 2009-09-26 23:19

Re: N900 will not allow USB OTG!
 
Hey guys,

I am a fairly new member here and I don't think I've actually posted here before, but I often read a lot.

I have been using the N810 for a few months now and it is quite perfect for the things I use it for. I discovered the N810 late in the game, so fortunately, there were already nice apps and scripts developed by others to accomplish the things I needed.

I have developed a hand held SIGINT system (I am a government contractor) that uses the N810 as the user interface to the system. The main N810 features/apps I make use of are Jalimo for the Java GUI and the ability to connect the N810 to the tuner/signal processing unit of the system via USB used as gadget Ethernet (micro A on the N810 side, mini B on the other end). Then, the back end of the GUI just sends and receives TCP/IP to and from the other device who has some C programs listening on the appropriate ports. This setup only works if the the N810 is the host device so I can set the usb0 IP address accordingly, which can't be set if I were using a USB mico B cable.

So, I was hoping that the N900 would also "support" USB OTG the same way the N810 does so my company can continue to make this hand held system. I understand that most consumers would not have a need for USB OTG, but this is a case where it was needed and there was no other option with this set of hardware. I have no problem continuing to use the N810, but I don't think they are making them anymore. It was rather difficult to acquire the sqrt(225) we recently purchased.

If I can't use the N900 the same way I have been using the N810, I would need a device that supports the use of Java and USB OTG in a similar form factor/design to the N810 that has a touch screen and doesn't have a clam shell/laptop design...any ideas?

Where exactly does it say that the N900 will not have or cannot support (due to hardware) USB OTG?

Thanks much :-)

~ Jay

Thesandlord 2009-09-26 23:29

Re: N900 will not allow USB OTG!
 
@JayB059

welcome! From what I have read, there are three camps:

1) USB host is impossible on the n900
2) USB host might be possible via software/register modification, but the hardware won't supply enough power or work correctly.
3)USB host might be possible via software/register modification, and it will work like the n810.

Best case is the last one, the second case will probably need a power injector or something. The first case means no-go. No one really knows until it ships and the hackers here start working on it.

neopwn 2009-09-27 01:01

Re: N900 will not allow USB OTG!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Thesandlord (Post 334506)
@JayB059

2) USB host might be possible via software/register modification, but the hardware won't supply enough power or work correctly.

This will be the case, unless Nokia has gone out of their way to prevent it by using an external usb transceiver which only supports client mode.

Mara 2009-09-27 01:18

Re: N900 will not allow USB OTG!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by neopwn (Post 334531)
This will be the case, unless Nokia has gone out of their way to prevent it by using an external usb transceiver which only supports client mode.

My guess is the same, except that there likely is no power at all to supply the VBUS. (SImilar to the 770, that supported host mode but you had to do your own power injection.)


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