Recently, I started working on Android Wear for the first time. It's been fun playing around with the new platform and form factor. And, of course, the official Android docs that I read could be condensed further for absolute newcomers. So, in the typical fashion, I've created myself a cheat sheet that I would use next time I would want to learn the easiest way for how to best create Wearable apps.
I've open sourced all my code so far on GitHub. It includes how to first set up the virtual Wear device, connect to the handheld device, and how to have the app send and open a notification on the wearable.
https://github.com/danialgoodwin/android-wear
~ Danial Goodwin ~
Showing posts with label device. Show all posts
Showing posts with label device. Show all posts
2014-08-13
2014-01-29
Level Up - Android: How To Connected a Full-Sized Keyboard to Android Device?
In this post, I will walk you through connecting a computer keyboard to an Android phone or tablet, via WiFi (or USB cable).
Estimated time of completion: About five to ten minutes the first time, and less than minute after your first run through.
Why is this useful?
There are many great apps on smartphones, but some people find it much more comfortable to use a full-sized keyboard for typing, especially for long periods of time. After going through this post, you will be able to use your computer keyboard like an advanced user:
1. For text messages (SMS), WhatsApp, and any other app with an input field.
2. You will be able to copy&paste text.
3. Speeddial. You can set the function keys on keyboard to open any app on the phone.
and more..
You will need:
- A Telnet program, like PuTTY
- A app on your device, called "Remote Keyboard" created by Onyxbits.
- A WiFi connection
Step 1: Download app to your Android device
1.1. Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.onyxbits.remotekeyboard
1.2. When you open the app, it should look something like the following. Note the host address on there, it will be different for you.
1.3. Click the "Select Keyboard" button on the Action Bar, at the top of the screen and choose "Remote Keyboard"
Step 2: Download PuTTY to your computer
2.1. Link: http://www.putty.org/
2.2. When you open PuTTY, change your configurations in three different places: Host, Port, and Connection type. You will get the port number and host address from the Remote Keyboard app. The connection type should be set to Telnet.
2.3. Click Open.
Step 3: Connect to device via Telnet on the computer
3.1. You should now see a window that looks like the following. And, you when you type into this window, key presses will go straight to your device rather than showing up on this window. Just click on any input field on Android to have the key presses sent there.
Notes:
- For step 3, if you only see a blank screen, then wait a little longer for the connection. Then, possibly try sending a few keystrokes into the window and the Enter key.
- Windows does have a Telnet client, but I didn't get it to work. Using PuTTY was much simpler.
- Telnet connections are not secure. Each input is sent unencrypted.
- To connect more securely over USB, here are some instructions.
~ Danial Goodwin ~
Estimated time of completion: About five to ten minutes the first time, and less than minute after your first run through.
Why is this useful?
There are many great apps on smartphones, but some people find it much more comfortable to use a full-sized keyboard for typing, especially for long periods of time. After going through this post, you will be able to use your computer keyboard like an advanced user:
1. For text messages (SMS), WhatsApp, and any other app with an input field.
2. You will be able to copy&paste text.
3. Speeddial. You can set the function keys on keyboard to open any app on the phone.
and more..
You will need:
- A Telnet program, like PuTTY
- A app on your device, called "Remote Keyboard" created by Onyxbits.
- A WiFi connection
Step 1: Download app to your Android device
1.1. Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.onyxbits.remotekeyboard
1.2. When you open the app, it should look something like the following. Note the host address on there, it will be different for you.
1.3. Click the "Select Keyboard" button on the Action Bar, at the top of the screen and choose "Remote Keyboard"
 |
| Remote Keyboard, Android app |
Step 2: Download PuTTY to your computer
2.1. Link: http://www.putty.org/
2.2. When you open PuTTY, change your configurations in three different places: Host, Port, and Connection type. You will get the port number and host address from the Remote Keyboard app. The connection type should be set to Telnet.
2.3. Click Open.
 |
| How to set up a Telnet connection |
Step 3: Connect to device via Telnet on the computer
3.1. You should now see a window that looks like the following. And, you when you type into this window, key presses will go straight to your device rather than showing up on this window. Just click on any input field on Android to have the key presses sent there.
 |
| A Telnet connection to an Android smartphone. |
Notes:
- For step 3, if you only see a blank screen, then wait a little longer for the connection. Then, possibly try sending a few keystrokes into the window and the Enter key.
- Windows does have a Telnet client, but I didn't get it to work. Using PuTTY was much simpler.
- Telnet connections are not secure. Each input is sent unencrypted.
- To connect more securely over USB, here are some instructions.
~ Danial Goodwin ~
2013-08-27
Topic: Electronics Prices
When you buy a product, would you want to know the exact date it was going to break and stop working?
How about this, I'll give you a product for $50 cheaper and give you the exact date it will fail. Nothing to worry about at all. The device will work 100% for until the expiry date. You know when exactly to buy the replacement. If you are satisfied with my product, then I will give you another one with the same condition or probably better.
Do you know of another product like this one? Where you know the exact date it will break or stop working?
Well, it is kind of like a phone contract? You know it will stop working in exactly two years as per the contract.
Ex: Buy a laptop. It could last one year or five years depending on use, care, and lucky quality of device. What if you can get a guarantee that it would work for two years exactly, but then you would have to replace it?
This laptop could be cheaper because manufacturers know people will need to buy a new one, thus more revenue. And the specs will be better in the replacement too. Conclusion? This deal is good for people who have a hard time keeping care of their items. It is a worse deal for people who know how to maintain their products.
~ Simply Advanced ~
How about this, I'll give you a product for $50 cheaper and give you the exact date it will fail. Nothing to worry about at all. The device will work 100% for until the expiry date. You know when exactly to buy the replacement. If you are satisfied with my product, then I will give you another one with the same condition or probably better.
Do you know of another product like this one? Where you know the exact date it will break or stop working?
Well, it is kind of like a phone contract? You know it will stop working in exactly two years as per the contract.
Ex: Buy a laptop. It could last one year or five years depending on use, care, and lucky quality of device. What if you can get a guarantee that it would work for two years exactly, but then you would have to replace it?
This laptop could be cheaper because manufacturers know people will need to buy a new one, thus more revenue. And the specs will be better in the replacement too. Conclusion? This deal is good for people who have a hard time keeping care of their items. It is a worse deal for people who know how to maintain their products.
~ Simply Advanced ~
2013-01-19
Can't USB Connect to Device Through Eclipse?
At first, I couldn't connect to a Nexus 7 or HTC Evo LTE in Eclipse. Windows 7 could see both of the devices, but Eclipse for some unknown reason would not detect them so that I could debug the Android apps.
Solution: Update Eclipse to the newest version and also update the Android SDK in the Android SDK Manager. You can update Eclipse and the ADT plugin by going to Help -> Check for Updates.
If your computer doesn't have the drivers for the devices, then you should download them from the manufacturer's (OEM) website. One starting point would be http://developer.android.com/tools/extras/oem-usb.html to help point you on your way.
Asus Nexus 7 Driver: http://www.asus.com/Tablet_Mobile/Nexus_7/#support_Download_32 (then click USB)
~ Simply Advanced ~
PS - This is assuming that the device is already properly set up in proper developer debugging mode.
Solution: Update Eclipse to the newest version and also update the Android SDK in the Android SDK Manager. You can update Eclipse and the ADT plugin by going to Help -> Check for Updates.
If your computer doesn't have the drivers for the devices, then you should download them from the manufacturer's (OEM) website. One starting point would be http://developer.android.com/tools/extras/oem-usb.html to help point you on your way.
Asus Nexus 7 Driver: http://www.asus.com/Tablet_Mobile/Nexus_7/#support_Download_32 (then click USB)
~ Simply Advanced ~
PS - This is assuming that the device is already properly set up in proper developer debugging mode.
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