[Q] FM radio & RFID - Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I search for "FM" but found nothing.
I was wondering according to ifixit (http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Motorola-Atrix-4G-Teardown/4964/2) there is a Broadcom BCM4329 in the Atrix that supports FM. Now according to a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5vgYiF3Udw at 2:37) with a motorola spokes person the docks use "RF" to identify themselves. So what I am wondering is is the FM reciever used for this "RF" or is it something else, like maybe some kind of RFID?
Also is there a FM player on the Atrix? Nothing I see says there is.
edit: watching more closely the desk dock at about 2:00 is not plugged into the wall so no power but it has "RF" to let the Atrix recognize the dock, it looks like it would be some implementation of RFID because FM would need power right?

Related

ipod to HTC extUSB adapter

No, it does not exist yet (to my knowledge).
Essentially what it'll do is connect any HTC extUSB equipped phone to any kind of ipod docking station.
My car's head unit has an ipod cable along with steering wheel controls so what I want to do is be able to connect my TP2 to the head unit via the ipod cable such that I can control the TP2's audio from my steering wheel (and possibly on a more advanced note display the track info, though I'm not too optimistic on that). Yes, I know it would be easier using the extUSB to 3.5mm adapter but then I'd have to control playback on the phone (or possibly through MSVC if it ever listens to me correctly).
I know the pinouts of the extUSB port and the Ipod connector. No problem making an adapter there for strictly the audio and charging part. The fun part is adapting the Ipod's control signals (for next/prev track, play/pause, etc). I have not come across any kind of technical data sheet indicating the kind of signal the HTC phone is looking for to control playback. I have a E100 remote that I'd rather not reverse engineer yet. For some reason I believe drivers will need to be involved in this one.
Anyone who can help out with playback control signal info for extUSB, I'll gladly send one of these adapters out when I get around to making them.
Wiring the E100 would be your best bet...theres a tiny SMD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface-mount_technology probably looks like a black blob on the E100) that controls the signalling for the extUSB. There really isn't another way to wire it...I mean, you can dump the SMD, snoop through it and build your own, but really...you have a E100, just wire it up. You won't get track/title info (I don't think HTC even outputs that via the extUSB) but it'll give you full control, as far as what the E100 is capable of.
This actually has been done before for a HTC Dream.
It was discussed here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=465412
The original site is down but you can see the final product here http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/28/inelegant-hack-connects-t-mobile-g1-to-ipod-dock/
I was hoping some enterprising chinese company with a lax view on copyrights and such would mass produce one but it never happened

[Q] eee transformer in car (searching for pinout, tips, bluetooth headset router, ..)

hi!
I just ordered an asus eee tab transformer for my car, as car entertainment system and navigation system. I am planing to invest some time o modify the hardware of the car to fit the tab optimately in.
One thing I'd like to do is to let the car command the tab for boot and shutdown. I am thinking of using the asus docking station interface of the tab but I have no pinout of this connector at the moment. Can anybody help here?
Maybe it is also possible to throw typical "next", "back", "play", "stop", ... commands? I am expecting an serial interface or something similar. Since I am an routined embedded developer, with a pinout this should be no problem.
The second thing is maybe a software thing.
I have an bluetooth car radio which supports one connection at the same time. The Idea was to use the Tab with bluetooth a2dp but with this connection all calls on my bluetooth phone are ignored. Is there something to establish a android to android bluetooth connection where the tap plays the roll of a bluetooth a2dp headset.
So for music and navigation:
Tab <-> CarRadio
For phone calls:
Phone <-> Tab <-> CarRadio
The other thing is, can the android tablet keep 2 bluetooth connections at the same time from the hardware point of view?
Ok, I think I wrote enough for now ^^
Hope somebody can help with any information.
interested in this
+1
me too
maybe someone has a good link to the asus support?
oops, sorry
fpdragon said:
hi!
I just ordered an asus eee tab transformer for my car, as car entertainment system and navigation system. I am planing to invest some time o modify the hardware of the car to fit the tab optimately in.
One thing I'd like to do is to let the car command the tab for boot and shutdown. I am thinking of using the asus docking station interface of the tab but I have no pinout of this connector at the moment. Can anybody help here?
Maybe it is also possible to throw typical "next", "back", "play", "stop", ... commands? I am expecting an serial interface or something similar. Since I am an routined embedded developer, with a pinout this should be no problem.
The second thing is maybe a software thing.
I have an bluetooth car radio which supports one connection at the same time. The Idea was to use the Tab with bluetooth a2dp but with this connection all calls on my bluetooth phone are ignored. Is there something to establish a android to android bluetooth connection where the tap plays the roll of a bluetooth a2dp headset.
So for music and navigation:
Tab <-> CarRadio
For phone calls:
Phone <-> Tab <-> CarRadio
The other thing is, can the android tablet keep 2 bluetooth connections at the same time from the hardware point of view?
Ok, I think I wrote enough for now ^^
Hope somebody can help with any information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Something to consider when designing.
Not sure if this is going to be a permanent install or not. But you can easily set up your audio through the Hdmi instead of burning battery with your Bluetooth. At least you can still use your phone through the Bluetooth. You can also incorporate other monitors in other parts of the car. I was speaking to a car audio shop for this type of install myself a few weeks ago. I will try to get more details and report back. Was waiting for the desktop docking station to come out to really run with it.
tonyz3 said:
Something to consider when designing.
Not sure if this is going to be a permanent install or not. But you can easily set up your audio through the Hdmi instead of burning battery with your Bluetooth. At least you can still use your phone through the Bluetooth. You can also incorporate other monitors in other parts of the car. I was speaking to a car audio shop for this type of install myself a few weeks ago. I will try to get more details and report back. Was waiting for the desktop docking station to come out to really run with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks...
Bluetooth battery burn would be no problem since I want to load the battery over the car. Anyway... I'm afraid that there won't be something like a "bluetooth router" so I have to use the analog audio out. That brings me to my first question: I need the pinout of the asus connector to control the tab over the steering wheel control.
I don't think anyone's figured out a pinout yet, and even if they do, it wont be as simple as "this contact is for play, this one is for skip, etc". All those most likely go through a usb interface. Not that that would be impossible, but if you're using bluetooth your headunit should support AVRCP for sending those commands over bluetooth. Most android devices only support 1.0 right now, but that still gives you play/pause, stop, next, previous, maybe ff and rewind too.
As an embedded developer here follows one idea that maybe can help you.
Why not using all via BT, I will say you prob looking for some BT support inside the kernel. If you find a similar application using linux (google it), maybe you can ported it to the transformer. Compiling the kernel with new drivers is very easy, then u just need to get into the software part.
Have fun.
Narog said:
As an embedded developer here follows one idea that maybe can help you.
Why not using all via BT, I will say you prob looking for some BT support inside the kernel. If you find a similar application using linux (google it), maybe you can ported it to the transformer. Compiling the kernel with new drivers is very easy, then u just need to get into the software part.
Have fun.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your post!
I was thinking about a similar idea. Bluetooth could be an alternative but with bluetooth it won't be possible to switch the device on. So I tried to find a pinout and maybe I have luck to command a power on. Anyway... Right now BT seems the more realistic way, you're right.
Narog said:
As an embedded developer here follows one idea that maybe can help you.
Why not using all via BT, I will say you prob looking for some BT support inside the kernel. If you find a similar application using linux (google it), maybe you can ported it to the transformer. Compiling the kernel with new drivers is very easy, then u just need to get into the software part.
Have fun.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android and the TF already support A2DP audio streaming and AVRCP remote control over bluetooth, there's nothing that needs to be done here. I'm pretty sure its only AVRCP 1.0 though, which only supports the basic controls (play, pause, stop, next, previous, etc). The newer versions also do things like metadata, so you can see on your headunit what song is playing.
I can say from experience that working with improving BT support in android is not easy after I spent a fair amount of time banging my head against the wall trying to add MAP support to CM7. In any case, without HC source it would be impossible to do here anyway.
fpdragon said:
Thanks for your post!
I was thinking about a similar idea. Bluetooth could be an alternative but with bluetooth it won't be possible to switch the device on. So I tried to find a pinout and maybe I have luck to command a power on. Anyway... Right now BT seems the more realistic way, you're right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd bet that there's no way to power it up over the dock connector since the keyboard dock doesn't support it.
maxpower47 said:
I'd bet that there's no way to power it up over the dock connector since the keyboard dock doesn't support it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Power it up maybe not, but wake it up certainly. If you allow the unit to be in deep sleep when you open the dock it wakes the unit. And as long as you are constantly feeding a small amount of power to it to keep it fully charged it shouldn't be a big deal. Maybe tear down a dock to provide an extra battery to the unit and perhaps the circuitry you need for wake on start of the car. I don't play with hardware so not sure what this would do but it seems it should be possible since it already does this to an extent.
captmiddy said:
Power it up maybe not, but wake it up certainly. If you allow the unit to be in deep sleep when you open the dock it wakes the unit. And as long as you are constantly feeding a small amount of power to it to keep it fully charged it shouldn't be a big deal. Maybe tear down a dock to provide an extra battery to the unit and perhaps the circuitry you need for wake on start of the car. I don't play with hardware so not sure what this would do but it seems it should be possible since it already does this to an extent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Tor Your post...
Im Not sure hat this "deep sleep" is. is this the same like when i press the power button shortly on the tab or another power mode?
I have no dock and I wanted to save my money and not buy it.

Streaming music wirelessly from phone to car stereo

My car does not have an aux port for the simple solution, so about a year ago I reluctantly invested in this guy:
http://www.amazon.com/FlexSMART-Transmitter-Hands-Free-Blackberry-Smartphones/dp/B003PPGOC0
I've used countless wireless transmitters in the past and they were all garbage. You'd have to have the phone right up against the radio, and even then it wasn't that clear. This is by far the best product I've used for the purpose. You can connect via bluetooth or even a 3.5mm headphone port(cable included) on the side. My phone doesn't have to be anywhere NEAR the unit for it to work perfectly. It also comes with a microusb cable that plugs directly into a usb port on the unit, to charge while it plays. I highly recommend this product.
motorola roadster
I use the motorola roadster.
You can find an OEM version for about ~ $40 if you google search for it.
I use it along with voice command. You touch a button on the speaker phone and my S2 lights up and asks for a command. Ofcourse it also has FM transmitter mode and it has a play/pause button, though it doesn't seem to work with the stock music player, but the play/pause works with Winamp.
Not as nice as the bluetooth built into my wife's 2012 murano radio but on my older 2002 pathfinder this works great.
Thats cool. Does it matter how you set a station? Does it have static like regular "transmitters" ? I used to use/try one with my zune, and it was awful.
My friend plugged his in with an AUX jack (from top of phone into car radio) and it played stereo/cd quality
My car doesn't have an aux jack but I think it can be done for 20-40$? maybe
with the motorola roadster how do you set the fm transmitter?
I'll be honest with you - I've never seen an FM transmitter that wasn't horrible.
I'd invest in a new headunit (with an aux input, or MAYBE bluetooth if you must have wireless) and a wiring harness adapter kit over any FM transmitter, any day of the week.
I'm in the same boat as the OP, my car doesn't even support an aftermarket stereo due to the Bose/HUD integration and I got the FlexSmart and love it as well. Would certainly recommend to anyone.
I'm with Edgarhighman . How's the audio quality? Any static?
skelevate said:
I'm with Edgarhighman . How's the audio quality? Any static?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking I'll DIY aux input or have a store down the street do it
I'm not yet fond of splicing, soldering, or using a heat gun =/
VERY minimal static. Nothing that is even close to hindering the experience.

Stereo Dock

I have searched without any luck for a stereo dock that doesnt use the headphone jack. I have a logitech for my old iphone that u just set the phone in it and use the remote. Has anyone come across one for the galaxy s2 yet?
I believe there's one made by Philips which is available at Best Buy.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Philips...87&skuId=3044077&st=philips android&cp=1&lp=3
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Philips...93&skuId=3021696&st=philips android&cp=1&lp=4
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Philips...28&skuId=3044095&st=philips android&cp=1&lp=5
thanks,
I found this one too AS851 (Cant link yet). Comes with a remote and is 30 watts. They say you cant stream music thru the micro usb, but then how does the unit send audio and video to a HDMI cable, so I would think its possible. shrug
runtohell121 said:
I believe there's one made by Philips which is available at Best Buy.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Philips...87&skuId=3044077&st=philips android&cp=1&lp=3
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Philips...93&skuId=3021696&st=philips android&cp=1&lp=4
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Philips...28&skuId=3044095&st=philips android&cp=1&lp=5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All of those docks use Bluetooth to stream the audio. From what I know the USB port on the bottom doesn't have the ability to natively send audio out of the pins. I would love to have a simple dock too for this phone that would let audio out without having to jack in on the top of the phone, but it's just not designed that way.
I used to have an ATT "Fuze" (touch pro) - used to have to carry a dongle everywhere with me to plug in headphones. I'm much happier that I don't need a dongle, but it does suck to have to plug in 2 things in the car to get audio and charge at the same time.
You might want to take a look at this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1321491

Playing music in car?

In my bmw, I have a cable that I used to plug my iPhone in and was able to charge/play my music thru the interface. Since I switched over to SGS2 (love it btw), I haven't been able to find a suitable replacement for this cable. Is there anything like this for the SGS2, or am I out of luck?
Thanks
kash1f said:
In my bmw, I have a cable that I used to plug my iPhone in and was able to charge/play my music thru the interface. Since I switched over to SGS2 (love it btw), I haven't been able to find a suitable replacement for this cable. Is there anything like this for the SGS2, or am I out of luck?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use the car dock that is made for the phone by Samsung.
Best Solution:
Get a new car. My 2010 Mazda M3 has Bluetooth in it so all I had to do is buy a new car charger and connected it to Bluetooth. That's for your best experience though.
Less than the best solution:
Buy a Samsung Car dock, hope you have an AUX port or get an FM transmitter! It's a lot of work to have this done right, clean and everything. But it works! You can find most of the parts on amazon for really cheap. But i hope your car stereo has an Aux port or Bluetooth cuz if not you are kinda gonna be screwed into buying a new one. I don't know of any that support connecting through usb on any other phone than the iPhone or a standard flash drive with just MP3s on it.
Yea, my car has an AUX port, so I will just go buy the dock. Thanks for all your help
Hopefully another item like this takes off. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/401662159/pair-with-pear-bluetooth-to-your-speakers-dock Not trying to advertise, but this looks like it's exactly what you need. Unfortunately it doesn't exist yet... Unless another company makes one that I don't know about.
I highly recommend the Bluetooth Gateway by Motorola that turns your aux-in into an A2DP stereo like these fancy new cars.
A brief guide in the beginning of a little review I wrote here.
Takes a little DIY to get it set up out of the way, but once you do, it's a fantastic, under-$50 solution to get A2DP like the new $20k cars
Bt-35 bfhak
Has anyone used either of these devices: BT-35 or BFHAK
They have them for different makes of cars. just wanting to know how well they work.
I have a Jeep with the bluetooth touchscreen. I just play mine through BT, even though the sound quality isnt the greatest.
wrs223 said:
I have a Jeep with the bluetooth touchscreen. I just play mine through BT, even though the sound quality isnt the greatest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same, wonder why the quality suks
I just use a simple cable from my headphone jack to my aux in jack. I do wish it was able to display stuff like track info and album art, but hey, first world problems I guess. Poweramp does the job.
I think it's because bt audio only streams at 96 kbs.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
I don't know why you're having problems, but my bluetooth audio sounds heavenly using the gateway that I referenced in my earlier post.
And by the way, this 2003 spec sheet lists a top bit rate of 345 kb/s on Bluetooth 1.0. I don't know where you got your number.
BT streaming is worse than wired because you've got your phone/player transceiver encoding, and then the external receiver decoding your music. You can have all the bandwidth in the world but you'd still be limited by the quality of your transmitting and receiving hardware's digital audio capabilities.
I have one of these, it works very well. I've used FM tuners before and they all come in static-y. This one comes in perfectly, can charge your phone, has audio IN, and can be used as a hands free phone. Pretty nifty.
GOgroove FlexSMART X2 Wireless
(Can't post external links yet)

Categories

Resources