So, I've been following this thread, but I'm still unsure where we stand. I've flashed my n800 to 2008, and want to replace my tired, old bluetooth keyboard with a roll-up usb keyboard. Is this possible? And without using xterm to change things every time?

I'm asuming that I'd need either a power injector or a powered hub, but will the n800/n810 support the keyboard then? I don't have a usb keyboard to try, and I'm too lazy/cheap to find one, build a power injector and hack a cable, to then find that it doesn't work (sorry).

Ok, I'm in the same boat as pixelseventy2.

I may be blind, but I'm not sure where we're at.

The N800 only has a miniB port. It comes with (I think?) a MaleA - MiniB cable.

With OS800 on the N800, can I use the included cable to plug into a powered hub into which I have also plugged an USB keyboard? Do I then have to pull up a terminal and do the following?

echo host > /sys/devices/platform/musb_hdrc/mode

According to http://muru.com/linux/n800-usb-host/ this should put the N800 into USB-Host mode. Does this work?

If someone says, "yes" then I will ask the next question. Will a simple USB-A gender changer allow me to use the included cable with standard USB devices that have USB-A connectors?

bumpity-bump-bump

Has anyone tested OS2008 USB OTG yet?

Either on the N800 or the N810.

Mine appears to go into host mode when doing "echo host..", as far as I can tell (OS2008 on N800), but I didn't have drivers for any of the things I've plugged in, they were identified and powered, though.

Gender changer should be fine, provided you have drivers to support the devices, and the devices consume less than 100mA of current.

Yesterday I tried to connect a PS/2 keyboard with a PS/2 -> USB adapter, added ~5v from 4AA batteries and connected it to my N800 with OS2008 installed on it.

I don't have and drivers so I guess nothing should have happened, the onely thing that was noticeble was that when I onely had the batteries connected to the keyboard caps, num and scrollock was flashing and when I connected them to the N800 they stopped flashing and became lit when I used echo host > /sys/devices/platform/musb_hdrc/mode num lock stayed lit and the other two was flashing. When I connected the same things on OS2007 some months ago it said usb connected but the tablet did not say anything this time.

I don't know if that said anything but if someone has some ideas as how to install drivers or other ways of testing, if it matters if you use a hub or just a cable ect. please share, I've been wanting this since I bought this device about half a year ago. Most of all I want to be able to connect a keyboard and bluetooth ones are to expensive for my taste plus I want to save the battery time.

We can use 4AA batteries to power a keyboard we could allso figure out how to make a small charger chip and add a power cable from it to the n800. My N800 battery is 1500 mAh and with 4AA's you get 4.8v and 2500-3000 mAh.

Would be greate when I'm traveling.

I'm not sure, but I recall it being discussed that the N800 only has a Mini-B usb connector while the N810 has a micro-AB connector. The difference is that the N810 can act as a master or a slave when tethering it to other devices, where the N800 can only act as a slave. This is part of the N810's USB-OTG setup: it can connect directly with other USB devices without requiring a PC as an intermediary. The N800 requires the intermediary.

Your best bet would be to try this connection using a (powered?) USB HUB.

Please correct me if I'm wrong!


}:^)~
YARR!

Capt'n Corrupt

See the USB Host Mode Experiment thread. With OS 2008 people are now using USB devices with their N800s. As for the N810, I suppose we are simply waiting for the first user to hack a Micro-B cable or obtain the proper adapter and report here. Myself, I will work on this within the next week or two.

I may have confused the issue with my previous postings (TMI). See muru.com for a an excellent explanation. OS 2008 has host mode compiled in, so the kernel patch bits do not apply to those users.
As noted, a hub may be used for multiple devices and is necessary to supply power above 100mA.

Unfortunately, it appears some devices (bus-powered HDD enclosures?) fail even with a powered hub. Perhaps, when trying to negotiate for more power, something goes wrong on account of OTG stuff.

I don't think that can be it. I could be wrong, but I believe that USB doesn't do any "negotiation" for power. It's either there and it's enough to turn on the device, or it's not. If the device is powered and not being recognized, I'd say the problem lies elsewhere.

Many USB HDDs require more than 500mA on startup, so a dual jack cable is usually used, plugged into a powered USB hub.