Many from this site may have purchased a BlutO case. It is a case with a bluetooth keyboard in it.
There seems to be a problem with the USB charging cable. Mine does not charge the keyboard when plugged into a USB port of my netbook. The seller of these has contacted his supplier about this. In the meantime, I have read that a similar cable made for an Apple product will work. If someone can post more specific details on this, it would help.
I am using the BlutO on stock Tap'nTap firmware (4349). I installed the recommended BlueInput app to handle the bluetooth keyboard. When I went to Settings>Language & keyboard, it showed the Blueinput with an unchecked box. Selecting it does not put a check in the box.
I experienced the same thing when trying to install an alternate keyboard in a stock firmware. The problem is that the keyboard apps install in the /data/app folder. A keyboard app must be installed in the /system/app folder. The solution to this is to copy teksoft.blueinput-1.apk from the /data/app folder into the /system/app folder. You need to use a file manager where you can change the /system/app folder to R/W. I use Root Explorer.
After copying the app, delete the original in /data/app, then reboot.
To enable the bluetooth keyboard, first select the search icon on the right side (the magnifying glass). Long-press the search bar and a message "Edit text: Input method" will appear. Select "Input method", and a screen showing available input methods pops up. If the BlueInput app is installed, it should show as a choice. Select it and enjoy the keyboard. Use the same method to switch back to the Tap 'n Tap keyboard, or install other keyboard apps using this same method.
ENJOY!!
wasserkapf said:
Many from this site may have purchased a BlutO case. It is a case with a bluetooth keyboard in it.
There seems to be a problem with the USB charging cable. Mine does not charge the keyboard when plugged into a USB port of my netbook. The seller of these has contacted his supplier about this. In the meantime, I have read that a similar cable made for an Apple product will work. If someone can post more specific details on this, it would help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was the first to report this issue and the workaround to Steve; I am using the usb cable for my iPod Touch (the connector for the iPod is the same as the connector for the keyboard) and it works just fine. If you have an iPod or iPhone the usb cable for that device should work on the keyboard without any issues.
I have investigated this further. The end of the cable that plugs into the keyboard comes apart fairly easily. Here is a picture, but I did not take note of the orientation of the white symbol on the outside before I took it apart (sorry).
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I used the information on an Apple cable, from here:
http://forums.ilounge.com/ipod-monochrome/59754-usb-cable-pinout-someone-usb-cable-please-help.html
It appears that this cable is the same as the one in that thread. He does have the USB pinouts backwards, they should be this:
1 -> 8 (red) 5VDC+
2 -> 6 (white) Data-
3 -> 4 (green) Data+
4 -> 15 (black) Ground
EDIT: I just noticed that this doesn't match the picture!!
I plugged mine into a USB port on my netbook, and checked the cable. It does have 5VDC at the back of the connector. My probes (and my fingers) are too big to measure the actual pins in the front of the connector. So I still don't know why this doesn't work.
i just noticed. My picture doesn't match the pinouts that I listed below it!!
It looks like the red (5VDC+) and white (Data-) wires are swapped!! This may be why it doesn't work.
I swapped the red and white wires, and now the keyboard will charge!
Since the cable has the two Data wires connected, I suspect that this keyboard could also be used as a USB keyboard. I hope that the mis-wiring didn't damage that ability.
I tried it as a USB keyboard, and it isn't recognized by my netbook. Can someone who didn't have trouble with the cable try it as a USB keyboard, and see if it works?
Now that I have everything fixed, I can no longer get the keyboard to work.
I think that it is the BlueInput app that is not working correctly.
Are you trying to use the keyboard while it's connected with the USB cable? That may be confusing things because the tablet will accept input from a USB keyboard.
I have the keyboard working wirelessly with BlueInput. Haven't messed with the charging cable yet.
999ping said:
Are you trying to use the keyboard while it's connected with the USB cable? That may be confusing things because the tablet will accept input from a USB keyboard.
I have the keyboard working wirelessly with BlueInput. Haven't messed with the charging cable yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, in fact i have tried to use it that way, and it doesn't work. I think that the mis-wired cable may have damaged that.
I have re-installed BlueInput, and copied it to the /system/app folder. I can select it as an input method, but typing on it now in Search gives me nothing. And if I try to switch back it won't let me, I have to reboot to switch back to the TnT keyboard. This doesn't seem right.
When I go into the Settings->Wireless & networks->Bluetooth settings, It shows the keyboard "Paired but not connected". I deleted that connection and went back to Blueinput and scanned. It connected again, and FINALLY it worked again in the Search bar. This time the Settings section shows nothing. When I tried using it inside of the browser, it didn't work again. It seems to loose the connection very quickly. I am then unable to establish the connection again.
999ping said:
I have the keyboard working wirelessly with BlueInput. Haven't messed with the charging cable yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a gtab with tnt Lite v4.4.0 and have installed bluetooth keyboard easy connect. I go to the Settings/wireless&networks/bluetooth settings, press connect on keyboard (flashing blue light), scan for devices & select bluetooth keyboard (pair with this device). Then get popup "bluetooth pairing request". have tried 0000 1111 1234 and various combinations.
When pairing with my netbook they keyboard sends a numeric code for me to enter which allows it to pair. So with Android, what is different? What am I doing wrong??
Bluto keyboard not working
I received my Bluto keyboard a couple of days ago and can not get it to connect to the gTablet. I am running TnTLite 4.2.4. I could not get it to work using the bluetooth software on the tablet (I also get "paired but not connected" message). I then installed the BlueInput software and it still doesn't work. When I type on the keyboard, I do get a clicking sound on the gTablet, however, no typed characters show up on the gTablet screen. The charging cable that came with the keyboard also did not work, but I used an iPod to USB cable and that worked ok for charging the keyboard. I did not expect a problem in connecting the keyboard to the gTablet -- it shouldn't be this hard to make work. There should be some software or at least some instructions that came with the keyboard. I sent an e-mail to the company that sold me the keyboard and so far have not received a response.
wasserkapf said:
When I go into the Settings->Wireless & networks->Bluetooth settings, It shows the keyboard "Paired but not connected". I deleted that connection and went back to Blueinput and scanned. It connected again, and FINALLY it worked again in the Search bar. This time the Settings section shows nothing. When I tried using it inside of the browser, it didn't work again. It seems to loose the connection very quickly. I am then unable to establish the connection again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Update: I am now seeing similar behavior on mine. I suspect the keyboard batteries were shipped in a minimally charged state and I exhausted what was left in the process of connecting it up and testing.
AzWiz said:
I have a gtab with tnt Lite v4.4.0 and have installed bluetooth keyboard easy connect. I go to the Settings/wireless&networks/bluetooth settings, press connect on keyboard (flashing blue light), scan for devices & select bluetooth keyboard (pair with this device). Then get popup "bluetooth pairing request". have tried 0000 1111 1234 and various combinations.
When pairing with my netbook they keyboard sends a numeric code for me to enter which allows it to pair. So with Android, what is different? What am I doing wrong??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I recall, I simply typed 0000 when prompted for the code.
tallerguy said:
I received my Bluto keyboard a couple of days ago and can not get it to connect to the gTablet. I am running TnTLite 4.2.4. I could not get it to work using the bluetooth software on the tablet (I also get "paired but not connected" message). I then installed the BlueInput software and it still doesn't work. When I type on the keyboard, I do get a clicking sound on the gTablet, however, no typed characters show up on the gTablet screen. The charging cable that came with the keyboard also did not work, but I used an iPod to USB cable and that worked ok for charging the keyboard. I did not expect a problem in connecting the keyboard to the gTablet -- it shouldn't be this hard to make work. There should be some software or at least some instructions that came with the keyboard. I sent an e-mail to the company that sold me the keyboard and so far have not received a response.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you get that clicking sound but no characters, you have a connection and blueinput is registering your keystrokes but it is not currently set up as your input method in Android. Tap on any text input field with your finger to engage the edit mode, then press and hold your finger in the editable area. After a couple of seconds, you should get a popup window with a list of available input methods. Select blueinput and then back out. (There is no [Ok] button)
Now you should have clicks and characters when you press a key. You can repeat this at any time to change your input method e.g. when you want to use the on-screen keyboard.
999ping said:
Update: I am now seeing similar behavior on mine. I suspect the keyboard batteries were shipped in a minimally charged state and I exhausted what was left in the process of connecting it up and testing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was able to charge mine, after changing the wiring on the supplied cable. I don't believe that is what is causing the disconnections.
This may not work on stock firmware, or firmware derived from stock (TnT lite). Has anybody tried it on a Vegan firmware?
I just now tried mine with the charge cable plugged in and while the charge light does not stay illuminated, the keyboard does now stay connected and active.
Perhaps the cable is correctly wired and this is an issue with the charge light?
I am asking Steve about this in email.. will post back if/when I learn more.
wasserkapf said:
I was able to charge mine, after changing the wiring on the supplied cable. I don't believe that is what is causing the disconnections.
This may not work on stock firmware, or firmware derived from stock (TnT lite). Has anybody tried it on a Vegan firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use the non-meat eater
I'm not too sure about random disconnections but I do know that I have to re-pair each time I want to use a BT device. I quit using the blueinput and use a script that I just run each time for my mouse and it works every time. it basically finds the MAC address of the BT device then you manually attach it. Once you know that it works you can use gscript or script manager (market) to write it and 'one click run' since the MAC will never change
This can be done through ADB or directly on a rooted tab; the following is done directly on the tab. If you want ADB instructions just lemmie know.
You will need: ROOT, a file explorer that will change permissions, terminal (market), gscript or script manager (market)
- Download this zip, extract, and use root explorer (or other method) to place the three files in /system/xbin
- Change the permissions for all three files to 4755 (in root explorer its the three left and three top checked)
*** Turn on BT on TAB / Select connect on BT device ***
(what you type is in RED)
- open Terminal and type su (to make sure you have superuser permissions)
# cd /system/xbin (get you to the right directory)
To test that your binaries are working, you can type hciconfig and it will show you something like the following including the MAC address of your bt radio.
Code:
# hciconfig
hci0: Type: UART
BD Address: 00:1A:13:0F:88:12 ACL MTU: 1021:6 SCO MTU: 64:1
UP RUNNING PSCAN
RX bytes:14752 acl:325 sco:0 events:729 errors:0
TX bytes:4851 acl:33 sco:0 commands:263 errors:0
Then use the hcitool to get the MAC address of your keyboard (you only have to do this once).
Code:
# hcitool scan
Scanning ...
00:07:61:4B7:CE Logitech diNovo Keyboard
once you know the MAC address of the keyboard you want to connect, create a little script (I use gscript for ease of use) that connects the device using the hidd binary. then verify you are connected.
Code:
# hidd --connect 00:07:61:4B7:CE (your MAC)
# hcitool con
Connections:
< ACL 00:07:61:4B7:CE handle 12 state 1 lm MASTER
Voila. you don't have to change input device or anything - you can use the bt keyboard interchangeably with the soft keyboard.
credit to prscott who posted this quite some time ago and I've used it religiously.
Thanks, Steve, I'll have to give that a try.
I see that those are basically Linux commands. I know a lot about wireless connections in Linux, but I never had any need to learn about Bluetooth in Linux. That is until now.
A link for those still having BlueInput issues is here
Hopefully this will help come
How do we know if the keyboards are charging? Are we getting replacements or do we need to do that on our own?
I think that the light should be solid when charging. Replacement cales are on the way (should be here wednesday). I would recommend grabbin a $5 iPod cable at Ross or Marshalls for those who dont want to wait
Every time I scan for my keyboard it shows up, I click it, and the box pops up to enter the passcode. But within half a second or so the box disappears and the phone says "there was a problem pairing with Motorola wireless Bluetooth keyboard because the pin or passkey was incorrect." Half a second was not even a long enough time to enter in the pin it showed briefly anyways, how can i pair?
Sent from my Shooter
I have the same problem. Any suggestions?
I needed to do the following:
Reset keyb to factory settings: hold N, E, W keys while powering on
Power off the keyboard
Turn on phone's bluetooth AND make the phone visible to other bluetooth devices (it counts down for 1min 30secs)
Power on the keyboard and tell it to be ready to pair with a computer: hold V, A, R keys while powering on
Now hit scan on the phone
Enter the 4-digit passcode on the keyboard and press [enter]
You should now be paired!
OK, I searched for: "U8150 Bluetooth keyboard" (without the quotes) and came up with a LOT of results, mostly not relevant to what I'm looking for. If this is the wrong place to post this please advise, but there doesn't seem to be a specific forum for the Huawei Ideos U8150.
Walking around a local shopping centre recently, asking questions at several phone shops, I'm left astonished at how little the staff in general seem to know about the extensibility of android phones.
Like probably thousands of people around Australia I took advantage of a recent Aldi promo and bought an Ideos U8150 for 60 bucks. It's my first SmartPhone and I'm delighted with the features and value for money.
But the big problem is my fat fingers, and I bet I'm not alone there. Surely there must be a LOT of SmartPhone owners who want a better keyboard — an external one that you can actually type on without constantly hitting the adjacent key. A Bluetooth mini keyboard is the obvious answer.
Not having found any actual recommendations for an external keyboard to use with the Ideos U8150, I purchased and experimented with a couple of them.
First try was with a Kaiser Baas BT-130, a really mini keyboard.
Second attempt was with an Acer Iconia A500/A100. This one is about two thirds normal keyboard size.
Results were pretty much the same with both: It's easy to initiate Bluetooth connectivity, but sending keystrokes to the phone only "sort of" works under certain circumstances.
I'm afraid its a bit long-winded, but I'll detail my experience in case one of you more experienced tech types are able to take it further.
See next post for details.
CONTINUED...
I'll describe for the Kaiser Baas BT-130, but it's pretty much the same for the Acer as well.
Here are the procedures I have followed...
PROCEDURE #1
Starting with both phone and BT-130 keyboard powered OFF (keyboard is fully charged), turn both devices ON. The status bar at the top of the phone screen indicates Bluetooth is enabled.
Press and hold the BT-130 Bluetooth button until the blue light flashes.
In the phone's standard Bluetooth settings I make the device Discoverable, then click "Scan for Devices".
An entry in the phone's menu is displayed for "BlueTooth Wireless Keyboard", with a prompt to "Pair with This Device".
On clicking "Pair with This Device" I get a dialog that reads:
"Bluetooth pairing request. Type PIN to pair with Bluetooth wireless keyboard. (Try 0000 or 1234)".
Huh??? PIN???
After entering 0000 or 1234 or anything else, the entry for Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard reads "pairing..." for a while, then a dialog appears which reads "Attention. Pairing rejected by Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard."
Suspecting that this might be something to do with the absence of support for HID keyboards, I installed the BlueInput app from Teksoftco, then proceeded with...
PROCEDURE #2
This time, instead of going into the phone's standard Bluetooth settings as described above, I run the BlueInput app.
I select BlueInput's Scan button, and an entry appears for:
- Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard
- DC:2C:26:AF:EE:73
- Discovered
The blue light is still flashing on the BT-130, but when I press on the "Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard" item on the phone (just described above), the keyboard's blue light goes out (as it should for successful connection), and the message appears on the phone "Connected to Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard".
Then another message appears "Hint: before using BlueInput go to Android settings, Language & Keyboard, and make sure that ONLY BlueInput is checked". Also, now in place of Discovered the word Connected appears.
So I obediently go to Android settings --> Language & Keyboard, and yes, BlueInput is the only item checked.
PROOF OF CONNECTIVITY
As further proof there actually is connectivity between the two devices at this stage, pressing any key on the BT-130 keyboard results in an audible feedback click on the phone, but no letters/numbers from the keystrokes appear in any text input field of any phone app. However...
The BlueInput app provides a test screen for testing keyboard input, and I could, with restrictions, type into BlueInput's test screen from the keyboard.
The restrictions are that any keys other than the unshifted-alpha/numerics, spacebar and un-shifted punctuation produce a dollar sign ($) on the phone screen. Even pressing ESC, Tab, Caps, Shift, Enter, Backspace and any function key on the BT-130 keyboard produced a dollar sign on the BlueInput test screen.
But that's only in the BlueInput test screen. With any other text input field no characters appear at all, although the phone does always emit the audible keypress click-sound (because I have that feature enabled).
---------------------------
So I returned the Kaiser Baas BT-130 keyboard and brought home the Acer Iconia TAB A500/A100 series.
Not much to say, other than "See above". Pretty much exactly the same procedures and results as for the Kaiser Baas keyboard, so I returned it also.
---------------------------
I earlier had tried Kaiser Baas support but they were unable to help. Later on I received an update from the Technical Support Manager at Kaiser Baas, who stated as follows:
"...the phone/tablet must have hardware HID support, not software based. I have a Samsung Galaxy tab here purchased from HK. Our keyboards will connect but I cannot type with it. I found from Samsung, that the Galaxy tab sold in HK does not support HID devices, hence why it doesn't work. I would say that the Huawei phone has the same issue."
---------------------------
So there it is. Unless you guys have a suggestion, I can't see it is even worthwhile trying more keyboards, because it looks like I'm going to keep running into the HID support problem.
Hey why bother connecting a keyboard to 8150 for its small screen (320x240)? I wouldn't doubt if ppl like to connect keyboards with large screen devices, but for this one (I own this machine too), I'd prefer using "remote web desktop" which includes wifi keyboard feature.
Louis
Thanks for bringing Web Desktop to my attention -- I'm sure I'll be able to make use of it somewhere along the line.
However, it's not a solution to my desire for an external keyboard. A mini keyboard is very easy to fit in a briefcase, overnight bag or backpack, and can make the phone much more functional and usable when on the move. For some tasks these SmartPhones can replace a computer, but rapid text input is a problem.
I use Dragon NaturallySpeaking on my PC all the time for input, but in my experience voice input on SmartPhones is cool and useful, but not up to the level of Dragon.
Really need a keyboard connection.
How about micro USB keyboards, you don't need bluetooth pairing then.
louisli said:
How about micro USB keyboards, you don't need bluetooth pairing then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...but you need a custom rom that support that.
USB host Keyboard in Dronix, watch this !
I wanted a bt keyboard too, but maybe I'll wait for this
When using any of the GB roms on my AT&T Note, when I go to connect to my iTech Bluetooth keyboard (it uses HIS and SPP Bluetooth protocols) it sees the keyboard, then I get a popup on my phone displaying a random 4 digit pin that I punch into the keyboard and hit enter. It then connects.
The issues (and this is on every ICS Rom/Leak), my Note sees the keyboard and tries to pair, but just sits there. I found that if I hit enter on the keyboard, the popup window will flash with the password, but the issue is, since I hit enter, it is too late and the password entered (nothing) was wrong. Then I try again, the 4 digit password it changed.
So does anyone know how to see (maybe with ADB) what the 4 digit password is without being able to see the popup, or another way to make the popup show?
Thanks for any help
BTY here is a video of the keyboard working and connected on GB
Hi guys
I am trying to connect my external bluetooth keyboard "Hama KEY2GO X500" with my Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Global (mido).
When I enable the pairing mode the phone wants me to type a pass code on the keyboard and press return. But - I figure this is some kind of bug - it doesn't show me the pairing code. You can look at the attached image to see what i mean.
I was able to successfully pair this keyboard with my old xperia z1c and it worked flawlessly, the phone showed me the code, I typed it on the keyboard and it was connected within seconds.
Do you have any idea how to do this on Redmi Note 4?
Ok never mind. Just when I watched the attached image at my computer screen closely I recognized the pairing code is barely visible. I checked my phone screen and I cannot read it.
so i just started pairing, quickly took a screenshot and sent it to my PC, reading the pass code from my computer screen and entered it. Worked!