Usb keyboard

[compulsiveread…]

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SkinnyDennis wrote:

Good idea! And it will prevent the NC from getting corns!

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HA!! Moleskin is used in a lot of applications because it's very thin, stays in place and helps to prevent things from slipping around. I started using to line the joints in dolls for posing and to help keep wigs in place, but now I find myself using it for lots of things. Kind of like duct tape, one of those things you keep handy because it has tons of uses. Other than protecting Nooks from corns.

[SkinnyDennis]

Thanks, I'll pick some up on the way to Radio Shack.

[SkinnyDennis]

I thought I'd look into turning on the usb hosting with Nook Tweaks. Tweaks says the kernel is not compatible with usb settings, that I need a newer build of CM7 or Dalingrin's kernel.

I have a N2A card. So I need to look into updating over at Nook2Android. Wonder how much of a pain that will be.

Android version 2.3.4 .

The curent kernel is 2.6.32.9 .

Cyanogen mod 7.1.0-RC1-encore .

I took a look at "Enable Host Support for Nook Color" here

http://www.inspiredgeek.com/2011/06/05/enable-usb-host-support-for-nook-color-attach-external-keyboa...

And there's a link there about updating the kernel (I think that's what's talked about)

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1000957

...and suddenly I'm in over my head.

I don't have a lot of confidence that I'll end up with something that doesn't function any more.

Didn't look before I leaped. (again)

[GillyCO]

Dennis, Because you bought a N2A card, I would contact them. They seem to be very cpusitomer frienlly and I bet they will do an upgrade for you. Keep us informed of your progress.

[SkinnyDennis]

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GillyCO wrote:
Dennis, Because you bought a N2A card, I would contact them. They seem to be very cpusitomer frienlly and I bet they will do an upgrade for you. Keep us informed of your progress.

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I looked over the forum there, that's where I got the links I posted. Seems they'll point you in the right direction, then you're on your own. No complaints about N2A, like I said I'll likely screw this up. I'll ask my son the software engineer, he owes me bigtime for putting him thru calpoly!

[Mark_OB1 Bibliophile]

> I bought a little usb keyboard in a porfollio case for my Nook color and with Nook Tweaks it works great. I am using a n2a card. It only cost me $17. Very happy nook owner right now!!!!!!!! If you want the ebay item number let me know. I did have to get a micro to mini usb adapter for a couple of dollars too <

Thanks, Kel!  I was wondering if those were halfway decent, or just junk.  I appreciate the recommendation.

- Mark

[Mark_OB1 Bibliophile]

Dennis,

> I think this is what I need

http://www.amazon.com/female-Micro-male-Cable-Adapter/dp/B005GI2VMG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=132657488... <

Yes, I think so.  That one looks like it's a full-size female USB, which you need for your specific version of the keyboard.

For the keyboard on eBay that the OP referenced, it needs a miniUSB female, like the one at Item #390380791571.  That's handy, because it has the right angle adapter, which should fit much better...

Unfortunately, this one comes by a slow boat from China.  

- Mark

[Mark_OB1 Bibliophile]

Dennis,

> Got the case in from amazon.  I like it. I don't have the USB adaptor yet, so I can't report on how well the keypad works.

I does have it's problems.

The NC fits, but not tight enough to keep it from falling out. If you bend the clips in a bit, it snugs up. I hope they won't break off. I won't be slinging this across the room, I don't have a lot of faith the NC won't disengage! I'll look around for something snazzy to insert between the clips and the NC.

The closure strap holds the case shut with a magnet. It's pretty weak. I'd be careful how I pick it up and store it. It also has a fold out support in the back to hold the case open for typing. Extended, it seems stable enough to type on. <

Thanks a lot for taking the time to post the close-up pictures.  And also your impressions.  Even though your connector is different, the rest looks very similar to the one on eBay.

- Mark

[SkinnyDennis]

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Mark_OB1 wrote:

Dennis,

> Got the case in from amazon.  I like it. I don't have the USB adaptor yet, so I can't report on how well the keypad works.

I does have it's problems.

The NC fits, but not tight enough to keep it from falling out. If you bend the clips in a bit, it snugs up. I hope they won't break off. I won't be slinging this across the room, I don't have a lot of faith the NC won't disengage! I'll look around for something snazzy to insert between the clips and the NC.

The closure strap holds the case shut with a magnet. It's pretty weak. I'd be careful how I pick it up and store it. It also has a fold out support in the back to hold the case open for typing. Extended, it seems stable enough to type on. <

Thanks a lot for taking the time to post the close-up pictures.  And also your impressions.  Even though your connector is different, the rest looks very similar to the one on eBay.

- Mark

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Just have to diddle the kernel now.

[Desiree_g]

okay so if i purchased the ebay keyboard case what adapter would i need? you guys have me so confused with all this male/female adapter stuff.

thanks!

desiree

[redhdgirl417]

Has anyone tried or know someone who has the bluetooth keyboards in portfolios? I am waiting for my n2a card to arrive and exploring options. I was leaning towards bluetooth for charging purposes. Thanks for the great reviews!

[redhdgirl417]

Kel, how does your NC battery charge look after using the keyboard? Wondered how much if any power it pulls.  Is the keyboard battery-op or usb powered?  I'm not too familiar and sorry to be such a noob.  I was looking at the bluetooth keyboard portfolios (have n2a card arriving today) so that I could have the NC power cord plugged into it to keep charging while the keyboard worked wirelessly.

Thanks for the great info!

[Bluepen61]

Just received the keyboard/case. Model #E02829. The single clip on the top that holds the tablet device is slides and is spring loaded, keeping the unit snug, though it will still slide. I think an elastic band would hold the unit if laced through the NC's strap loop. Like those that keep a journal closed.

Leather? Hmm, not quite sure on that. It appears to be a soft plastic that simulates leather. Very nicely stitched and made.

Battery? Not that I can find.

No instructions.

The stylis does not work with the NC.

Waiting for my adapter to arrive to check it out with my NC. 

First impression? I think it is a really nice item for the $16.95 delivered price. 

[taosaur]

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SkinnyDennis wrote:

Android version 2.3.4 .

The curent kernel is 2.6.32.9 .

Cyanogen mod 7.1.0-RC1-encore .

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Ha, I'm surprised N2A was shipping cards with the release candidate build. What you need to do is update to CM7.1 stable, which has the kernel you need built in. Most likely that just means dropping this file onto the card (plugged into your PC, so that all you see is a 130-ish MB boot partition), returning the card to your NC, and triggering recovery, after which the update should install automatically, leaving all of your data intact. You should be able to trigger recovery from the menu that comes up when you hold down the power button in CM7. If not, there's always the rhythm method:

hold nook N key and then press and hold power until the "Loading..." message appears and then disappears with screen going blank. Release power button, then press it again and hold for ~5 seconds, the bootloader "Loading..." message should be on the screen for three seconds or so before you release power button, keep holding N button until screen blanks again. If the screen went off while you were holding the power key, that means you were holding it for too long

.

You can probably find update instructions somewhere on the N2A site, too.

[SkinnyDennis]

Thanks Taosaur, that doesn't sound too bad!

[SkinnyDennis]

Taosaur, I quoted your suggestion at N2A and got this reply;

"

The short answer is that I don't think it'll help you.

That's the last stable version that was released, and it's the version that was used in our own upgrade released on Nov. 30, 2011. The date on the file you're referencing is Oct 10, 2011, so it's not newer. The only difference between our upgrade and that file is a bit of customization for N2A.

Upgrading with either build will result in having:

Android version 2.3.7 .
The current kernel is 2.6.32.9 .
Cyanogen mod 7.1.0-encore

The only change of note is the Android version, the kernel version remains the same.

Your procedure isn't quite correct.

Assuming you're using a card reader or have a pc with a card slot, drop the file onto the boot drive as you described.

Return the card to the NC, which must be off.

Power up the NC with the card in it. This will trigger the update, no triggering of recovery is necessary.

When the update is complete, the NC will shut down, just restart it to boot into the new Android.

"

Which leaves me just as confused as before, I don't understand how what N2A says here helps.

I asked for some clarity.

[Mark_OB1 Bibliophile]

Bluepen,

> Just received the keyboard/case. Model #E02829. The single clip on the top that holds the tablet device is slides and is spring loaded, keeping the unit snug, though it will still slide. I think an elastic band would hold the unit if laced through the NC's strap loop. <

I might be a bit concerned about scratching or marring the bezel on the NC.


> Battery? Not that I can find. <

Nope.  Unlike the Bluetooth keyboards (which have their own rechargable battery to maintain, and eventually die), these draw their power from USB (i.e., your Nook).  For keyboard-class devices, it's generally about 50 mA, though actual devices can pull much less.  Typically ~10-20 mA, though if the LEDs are on, it could be more.  

It shouldn't be much of a hit to battery longevity, though as was pointed out, you can't be charging your NC while the keyboard is plugged in.

That should cover redhdgirl417's questions too. 

- Mark

[Mark_OB1 Bibliophile]

> No instructions. <

Oops!  Here you go:

1)  plug it in

2)  start typing  

Of course, on the NC there's a bit more effort involved, since you have to have an OS installed that will recognize the keyboard.

- Mark

[Mark_OB1 Bibliophile]

desiree,

>  if i purchased the ebay keyboard case what adapter would i need?  you guys have me so confused with all this male/female adapter stuff. <

The Nooks all require a male microUSB connector on that end.  Since the eBay keyboards have a male miniUSB connector on their cable, they're too big to fit.  So you need a female miniUSB to go to male microUSB.  Either via an adapter plug, or an adapter with a small piece of cable (less strain).

If you can find one with a right-angle on the male microUSB side (that bends down or to the left), that would be optimal, since it would minimize stress, and by not sticking out far would be less likely to get 'bumped'.

- Mark

Oh, and I just realized I answered this specific question above, with both a picture and an eBay item#.  See http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/NOOK-Color-General-Discussion/Usb-keyboard/m-p/1272213#M72308 . 

Or, you could just look 3 posts up from your query.  

[SkinnyDennis]

RE: contacting N2A, the bottom line is I'm not getting much help there, they suggested I contact the developers.