USB hosting ENABLED on XOOM!

[Flaunt77]

While I know that honeycomb does not support this yet (but likely will with the sd card upgrade), there have been rumors that the micro USB slot on the XOOM is actually capable of hosting.

Does anyone know this for sure?

Basically, im trying to decide between the XOOM and the unamed Toshiba tablet.
I like that the Toshiba tablet has Hosting with a full usb port, and Im wondering if the XOOM will be able to do the same (albeit with an adapter).

Though, I dont even know if The toshiba tablet will release in the US any time soon.


ALL THANKS TO ROEBEET WHO HAS ENABLED HOSTING OF THUMB STICKS ON THE XOOM! - scroll through this conversation to get to roebeets post!

 

[Morkai Almandragon]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Motorol...1218305636450&skuId=1946179&st=xoom&cp=1&lp=1

Look down the page a bit for ...

Note: Optical drive not included
Compatible with optional external recordable CD/DVD drives (not included).

This would imply it does.

 

[joeski27]

Yes, it most definitely will have that capability. Please see the thread here that I started a while back on the Moto Owners Forum, where I was able to get not only Moto reps to confirm this, but also was fortunate enough to get the actual Moto tech who worked on the Xoom's USB to chime in with some info. My guess is, the same software update that will enable the microSD card will also enable the USB host capabilities of the micro USB port (both external data storage).

 

[shadowclock]

The USB hosting being locked down software wise, at least initially, is being done to get some quick cash on their accessories. The unlock that they MIGHT provide later would allow 3rd party keyboards and other accessories access to the Xoom.

I really doubt that they will do a software lock later but the fact that it is software locked and not hardware means that someone here in XDA will be able to unlock it for us eventually.

 

[Germwise]

how hard would it have been to put a full sized USB. Seriously.

 

[Neo3D]

how hard would it have been to put a full sized USB. Seriously.

It would make the tablet thicker. micro USB is fine since most of us already have tons of those cables.

 

[inspiron41]

how hard would it have been to put a full sized USB. Seriously.

look at the thickness of Notion Ink Adam becuase of 2 USB adapters

 

[Flaunt77]

I did a bit of research on this.

So it appears the same situation exists for the dell streak. It also has USB host like motorola (confirmed by moto engineer).

Some guy here: http://linuxslate.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1286562168

Shows how to get USB drives mounted and usable on dell streak running android 2.1 - this appears not to work on android 2.2 and higher.

OF NOTE: with the right cable (apparently some exist that support OTG hosting capabilities) and the right developer - we can absolutely get USB hosting onto the xoom.

Likely, a couple of scenarios exist to getting this working. First, we wait for the microsdcard update for the xoom - which may make it easier to host from the USB port; Second - we wait for a smart developer to port this sort of code into and app or custom rom; Third - we wait for the toshiba tablet to come out (as it has a full USB port for host) and steal its rom and port it to the Xoom.

 

[roebeet]

I have a Nokia OTG cable that I misakenly bought for an Archos 32 (didn't work), and I tried it on my Xoom. I can use a USB keyboard with it, FYI. But a USB mouse I tested does not work.

USB thumb drives may not work as there's no mount point - I might try to create a custom boot.img and test that out, if I have time.

This is the cable I have: http://cgi.ebay.com/Micro-USB-Host-...314427?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item3a640778bb

 

[Flaunt77]

I have a Nokia OTG cable that I misakenly bought for an Archos 32 (didn't work), and I tried it on my Xoom. I can use a USB keyboard with it, FYI. But a USB mouse does not work.

USB thumb drives may not work as there's no mount point - I might try to create a custom boot.img and test that out, if I have time.

This is the cable I have: http://cgi.ebay.com/Micro-USB-Host-...314427?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item3a640778bb

Thanks for the post Roebeet;

This sounds excellent - im happy that xoom has the ability to host - that was the last piece of the puzzle for me - cant wait for the custom roms that implement this ability!

 

[roebeet]

USB thumb drive confirmed working

Needed to make a boot.img change, however. I'm going to write up a HOWTO, shortly.

 

[Elysian893]

I have a Nokia OTG cable that I misakenly bought for an Archos 32 (didn't work), and I tried it on my Xoom. I can use a USB keyboard with it, FYI. But a USB mouse I tested does not work.

USB thumb drives may not work as there's no mount point - I might try to create a custom boot.img and test that out, if I have time.

This is the cable I have: http://cgi.ebay.com/Micro-USB-Host-...314427?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item3a640778bb

Can't even get a mouse to work with BlueTooth, so that's probably why a USB mouse doesn't work...

 

[roebeet]

USB thumb drive instructions (with altered boot.img link)

Dropped the instructions here: http://www.slatedroid.com/index.php...le-usb-host-mode-ie-thumb-drives-on-the-xoom/

I have this running on my Xoom right now - thumb drive can see files and play content (like music and video).

 

[Salpula]

Awesome! Time to order an OTG cable

Sent from my Xoom using XDA App

 

[Flaunt77]

Dropped the instructions here: http://www.slatedroid.com/index.php...le-usb-host-mode-ie-thumb-drives-on-the-xoom/

I have this running on my Xoom right now - thumb drive can see files and play content (like music and video).

You are amazing as always man - Im from the NIH community as well (flaunt)

Thanks so much for this!

 

[roebeet]

Awesome! Time to order an OTG cable

Sent from my Xoom using XDA App

That eBay guy is going to wonder why the sudden surge of cable orders, soon.

It's coming from Hong Kong, but I think I got mine in less than 2 weeks - this was back in November. I had ordered this cable with an Archos 32 in mind, but I screwed up the first time and got the wrong cable. I'm happy to report that it's finally getting some use.

 

[Elysian893]

Dropped the instructions here: http://www.slatedroid.com/index.php...le-usb-host-mode-ie-thumb-drives-on-the-xoom/

I have this running on my Xoom right now - thumb drive can see files and play content (like music and video).

You are AWESOME.

 

[Flaunt77]

Hey roebeet, Quick question:

Does this allow you to transfer or write files to the USB drive as well? Or will we have to wait for honeycomb to support sd cards to do this?

Can files be written onto the thumb drive or moved there using a file explorer?

Just wondering!

 

[Legacystar]

anyway to translate this mod to getting the micro SD slot working

 

[Elysian893]

Hey roebeet, Quick question:

Does this allow you to transfer or write files to the USB drive as well? Or will we have to wait for honeycomb to support sd cards to do this?

Can files be written onto the thumb drive or moved there using a file explorer?

Just wondering!

It doesn't look like it's mounted read-only so I'd say yes.