[FEELER] Universal Webtop-Like HW & SW Platform

[forbiddenera]

I am posting this thread seeking feedback and judging interest in such a project.

Most Android devices these days have USB OTG / host functionality as well as HDMI-out.

Motorola exploited this on the Atrix and Bionic with docks that are essentislly a powered USB hub and HDMI adapter or the webtop which 9s a dock with a battery, screen, keyboard and touchpad. Their setup allowed you to run a modded Ubuntu on the screen ajd had a window to access the normal phone interface.

Now with the progress of the Android platform, they have abandoned it mostly, as of 4+ the aforementioned HW only allows you to use android in tabet mode.

What I am proposing is a likely OpenSource project to develop:
- universal hw for all android devices
- custom jailed linux and xwm/interface adapted for touch/hdpi/small screens
- custom android x server allowing integration
- custom android x client/rsp (rdp) for android to allow viewing of phone interface on screen

The goal being a well designed version allowing a hybrid of linux apps and android apps in tablet mode seamlessly integrated.

Let me be clear that I am trying to judge interest and brainstorm, I am NOT asking about the feasibilty or technical requirements or burdens.

Eventually with enough interest, other OS apps could be integrated and virtualized.

I have 20+ years sw engineering, design and development experience and am willing to put in my efforts to seed this project if the interest is there.

 

[forbiddenera]

Well no responses - but some THANKS.. So I'll take that to mean there is some interest.

I am actively developing this and a whole suite of tools to accompang it starting with a universal, configurable, network (bt/wifi/3G/RG) and hardware syncronizable audio driver. Follkwing that I will be working on a 2-way android/linux x-server/client system.

Each tool will be released as an individual piece and eventually will (hopefully) come together to build a system to enhance android and bridge the ever narrowing gap between android and a pc.

I really would be interested in some feedback especially regarding the hardware aspect.

 

[StalCaiRe]

Well no responses - but some THANKS.. So I'll take that to mean there is some interest.

I am actively developing this and a whole suite of tools to accompang it starting with a universal, configurable, network (bt/wifi/3G/RG) and hardware syncronizable audio driver. Follkwing that I will be working on a 2-way android/linux x-server/client system.

Each tool will be released as an individual piece and eventually will (hopefully) come together to build a system to enhance android and bridge the ever narrowing gap between android and a pc.

I really would be interested in some feedback especially regarding the hardware aspect.

sounds very interesting :good:

 

[ichi go]

I am posting this thread seeking feedback and judging interest in such a project.

Most Android devices these days have USB OTG / host functionality as well as HDMI-out.

Motorola exploited this on the Atrix and Bionic with docks that are essentislly a powered USB hub and HDMI adapter or the webtop which 9s a dock with a battery, screen, keyboard and touchpad. Their setup allowed you to run a modded Ubuntu on the screen ajd had a window to access the normal phone interface.

Now with the progress of the Android platform, they have abandoned it mostly, as of 4+ the aforementioned HW only allows you to use android in tabet mode.

What I am proposing is a likely OpenSource project to develop:
- universal hw for all android devices
- custom jailed linux and xwm/interface adapted for touch/hdpi/small screens
- custom android x server allowing integration
- custom android x client/rsp (rdp) for android to allow viewing of phone interface on screen

The goal being a well designed version allowing a hybrid of linux apps and android apps in tablet mode seamlessly integrated.

Let me be clear that I am trying to judge interest and brainstorm, I am NOT asking about the feasibilty or technical requirements or burdens.

Eventually with enough interest, other OS apps could be integrated and virtualized.

I have 20+ years sw engineering, design and development experience and am willing to put in my efforts to seed this project if the interest is there.

I just saw your post; I owned 2 Motorola RAZR (a RAZR i for now) and I really miss the webtop! I used it a lot so I am very interesting by your project. It's a shame that Motorola let go this idea, I think it was something that can make Motorola outstanding from other brands.
I'm sure there is a lot of people interested by that kind of app.

 

[forbiddenera]

I just saw your post; I owned 2 Motorola RAZR (a RAZR i for now) and I really miss the webtop! I used it a lot so I am very interesting by your project. It's a shame that Motorola let go this idea, I think it was something that can make Motorola outstanding from other brands.
I'm sure there is a lot of people interested by that kind of app.

I hope so, I have started slowly developing the low levels of the stack of tools required for this.

If you are interested in making this a reality, then I need support. Moral support, testing, food, hardware.. etc.. Mostly I need to know there's a demand and that people will use it and benefit from it.

Currently I require a few things for testing and development, if anyone wants to.help.

- USB OTG / Host adapter for microusb. x 2

- Powered USB hub.. The source in my city has one for $10, but do not sell the power adapter to.go with it.

and, would be beneficial:

- A droid Bionic HD dock or Webtop dock, unfortunately my phone was not sold in Canada and ship them to me for my friend in the states and I cannot get these here.

please spread the word if you are interested, rally support and it will get done.

The first thing I am developing for this is a universal low latency audio driver replacement for android / linux with extended.ipc/net routing capabilities. Partly because I am a musician and need such elsewhere is why I am starting with audio.. I also intend to get the audio plug on my moto dock working on nonstock

 

[nitephlight]

I hope so, I have started slowly developing the low levels of the stack of tools required for this.

If you are interested in making this a reality, then I need support. Moral support, testing, food, hardware.. etc.. Mostly I need to know there's a demand and that people will use it and benefit from it.

you have my support in whatever you need. ive been a webtop guy since day 1, wonderful technology but *WAY* ahead of it's time (and lets not even talk about how i spent $300 bucks on my first lapdock, and $50 on my second when they canned the webtop project lol. i will caution you that it doesn't seem like there is much demand anymore for the dual environment setup. i have quite a bit of market insight as to why this is, but at any rate, innovative development is never appreciated until it is actually developed, no?

Currently I require a few things for testing and development, if anyone wants to.help.

- USB OTG / Host adapter for microusb. x 2

- Powered USB hub.. The source in my city has one for $10, but do not sell the power adapter to.go with it.

and, would be beneficial:

- A droid Bionic HD dock or Webtop dock, unfortunately my phone was not sold in Canada and ship them to me for my friend in the states and I cannot get these here.

aside from several years of commercial software testing experience, i have at my disposal for testing:

Motorola Atrix 4G (only moto phone unlocked kernel + webuntu mod)
Motorola Droid Bionic
Samsung Galaxy Nexus (uses MHL)
Motorola Xoom tablet (HDMI out)

- 1 bionic lapdock, 1 universal lapdock 100
- bionic HD dock
- MHL USB > HDMI adapter
- USB OTG cable

looking forward to contributing and seeing this become a reality my friend.:good:

 

[forbiddenera]

I am still wanting to push this forward. I really need a HD DOCK with USB tho.. If anyone can help, post or PM me.

cheers

 

[forbiddenera]

I am still wanting to push this forward. I really need a HD DOCK with USB tho.. If anyone can help, post or PM me.
Or a lapdock, or a usb otg and powered hub, or... I do have an hdmi cable and use webtop 3 all the time for watching tv..

Unfortunately google basically stopped moto from doing this.. We can all run linux but using it on vnc is sloppy, android x server doesnt work proper yet.. And even webtop 3 isnt that bad of an idea..

cheers

 

[forbiddenera]

I am still wanting to push this forward. I really need a HD DOCK with USB tho.. If anyone can help, post or PM me.
Or a lapdock, or a usb otg and powered hub, or... I do have an hdmi cable and use webtop 3 all the time for watching tv..

Unfortunately google basically stopped moto from doing this.. We can all run linux but using it on vnc is sloppy, android x server doesnt work proper yet.. And even webtop 3 isnt that bad of an idea..

cheers

If someone or a few ppl can chip in to split the cost itd rly hlp.. yks

 

[russellvone]

Hey, every idea you've posted seems good. The only thing I see holding back is, well, you have no credentials to show what you can/have done. I'd love a webtop for my phone, and an external android ssd(rasberry pi?) sounds sweet!

Anyways, what I'm trying to say is, I personally would love to see these projects come to life and help out with the funding side of things(unless you've got some extra time to teach) I do have a passion for developing, it's just not a skill yet.

Tell/show me more of what you can give/make to these protects you have planned and I'll tell/show you what I can fund/help with.

 

[topdnbass]

Really cool idea. I'm interested and if you develop even a crude "example" I'm sure the community will hop on board too.
Best of luck and I'll be keeping an eye out .

 

[forbiddenera]

Really cool idea. I'm interested and if you develop even a crude "example" I'm sure the community will hop on board too.
Best of luck and I'll be keeping an eye out .

I have been using webtop3 with just an hdmi cable for a bit - and at the least something like that should be available to every device with hdmi/mhl (eg. dynamic dpi change, phone screen becomes touchpad and kb unless hw mouse/kb avail) but also with all Android devices being linux, there should be a better way to run linux apps than vnc or a half-finished barely functional x server (not damping on the devs).

I have 15-20 years experience in coding almost all languages on almost all platforms. Done a ton of webstuff, none of it's really online or available (NDA). I worked with AOL/nullsoft for a short bit for sc_trans and thus ran my own radio, IdealSound. Unfortunately the AOL BW dried up and I had to kill it, but I am reviving it. I don't have a lot to show now, but give me a few weeks...

Anyhow, I see a ton of potential in android, I like open source, and, I think it's terrible that google axed wt3 even. wt2, I understand why.. wt3 is just dynamic dpi on hdmi and a different launcher profile (and a touchpad).

There needs to be more, and, I use android enough to be willing to invest time into this. Unfortunately, I am not able to invest $.

I envision multi-app android multi-tasking (two apps one screen? windowed?) and seamlessly running linux apps, like gimp, integrated ala parallels style (=using win appson mac seamless)

I eat Linux for breakfast and poop Java. And that's pretty much what android is.. I need dev tools tho.. my biggest concern really, is google and what they have planned conflicting with what I want to do.

I do plan to KISS (keep it stupidly simple) as much as possible though. Any dev I do will be very modular.

 

[russellvone]

I have been using webtop3 with just an hdmi cable for a bit - and at the least something like that should be available to every device with hdmi/mhl (eg. dynamic dpi change, phone screen becomes touchpad and kb unless hw mouse/kb avail) but also with all Android devices being linux, there should be a better way to run linux apps than vnc or a half-finished barely functional x server (not damping on the devs).

I have 15-20 years experience in coding almost all languages on almost all platforms. Done a ton of webstuff, none of it's really online or available (NDA). I worked with AOL/nullsoft for a short bit for sc_trans and thus ran my own radio, IdealSound. Unfortunately the AOL BW dried up and I had to kill it, but I am reviving it. I don't have a lot to show now, but give me a few weeks...

Anyhow, I see a ton of potential in android, I like open source, and, I think it's terrible that google axed wt3 even. wt2, I understand why.. wt3 is just dynamic dpi on hdmi and a different launcher profile (and a touchpad).

There needs to be more, and, I use android enough to be willing to invest time into this. Unfortunately, I am not able to invest $.

I envision multi-app android multi-tasking (two apps one screen? windowed?) and seamlessly running linux apps, like gimp, integrated ala parallels style (=using win appson mac seamless)

I eat Linux for breakfast and poop Java. And that's pretty much what android is.. I need dev tools tho.. my biggest concern really, is google and what they have planned conflicting with what I want to do.

I do plan to KISS (keep it stupidly simple) as much as possible though. Any dev I do will be very modular.

like I said before, I'm very interested and would like to be on your team when this idea takes flight.

PM me and let's get started.

let me know what you need to get started, I'll reply with what I can offer.

also give whatever details of why you need what and so on, that you deem appropriate or necessary.

looking forward to hear from you.

 

[dlivr8r]

Test Monkey

Just saw this today. If it helps, I may have a useful assortment of gear to test this kind of thing out on, when it comes to that.

Motorola Droid X2 cdma (no HDMI, but if you were going for a dock adapter that added HDMI over usb)
Motorola Photon Q 4G LTE (micro HDMI)
Motorola Photon (micro HDMI)
A Motorola LapDock (Fits both of the Photons, but won't recognize the touchpad or keyboard)
Hisense Sero 7 Pro Tablet (mini HDMI)

The Q is the only one I use daily, so I can monkey around with the rest pretty recklessly. I know my way around adb & CWM / TWRP, but I'm no dev. Just been flashing custom ROMs since the early windows mobile days, so I'm not scared of much.

I'm currently trying to cobble together a software-based solution for myself with the LapDock, using a combination of methods used by other folks on other gear, so I might also have some links worth following for stuff that's been done already. Either way, good luck.