Wifi or Bluetooth External Storage for pre

[Damon_TFB]

I'm very excited about the pre, but one downer is that there is no microSD card slot. Here's what would erase all my disappointment:

A USB thumbdrive with at least 64GB of storage and WiFi and/or Bluetooth access. That way, I could keep music/videos/podcasts on the thumbdrive and move them back and forth to my pre without any connection. It would need a battery and a few simple buttons/display LEDs.

I can't tell if the pre will host flashdrives through its microUSB port. I also don't know if any flashdrives come in microUSB form factor. I imagine they will soon!

[lsu86]

The microSD card would be nice so i can add more storage.

[smiles101]

The issue isn't creating the thumb drive, it is the dumbed down version of bluetooth on the Pre. I cannot use it to move files or contacts or anything. I have a Motorola Q that is 6 years old, and I can send files to other bluetooth phones and devices. The pre won't even recognize file transfers, only "audio" devices.

[UltrasoundUSB]

I can't tell if the pre will host flashdrives through its microUSB port. I also don't know if any flashdrives come in microUSB form factor. I imagine they will soon!

It won't and that's why I'm no longer a Palm customer/user. They did not enable the USB host functionality... I tried it.

[fr4nk1yn]

It won't and that's why I'm no longer a Palm customer/user. They did not enable the USB host functionality... I tried it.

You tried USBHost on the Pré? I guess they left that bit out of the kernel.
I'm sure somebody will add it back it or enable it.

[UltrasoundUSB]

You tried USBHost on the Pré? I guess they left that bit out of the kernel.
I'm sure somebody will add it back it or enable it.

unlikely... there is no power supply so even if the "bit" was added, it would require a powered USB hub. And it's not so simple as the data one needs to do this is not in the public domain and the bone-headed handset manufacturers are forced to turn it off by the carriers (so it's Sprint's fault, too) for they fear that we might somehow hurt their network by installing a USB device into a phone.

I have a lot of experience with USB host devices and I have never, ever seen one that does not have it from the factory have it magically turned on. The support needs to be there in both hardware and software which is why, I suspect.

[fr4nk1yn]

Yes but the Pré is basically a Linux computer. The underlying kernel can be modified, while the shell may not.
I still haven't checked up on the GPL.

The 800w has USBHost and of course it would need an external power supply for anything but MAYBE a flash drive.
Sprint left that enabled.

But since we have no file explorer, yet, and a way to edit documents, yet. there's really no need ATM.

[UltrasoundUSB]

Yes but the Pré is basically a Linux computer. The underlying kernel can be modified, while the shell may not.
I still haven't checked up on the GPL.

The 800w has USBHost and of course it would need an external power supply for anything but MAYBE a flash drive.
Sprint left that enabled.

But since we have no file explorer, yet, and a way to edit documents, yet. there's really no need ATM.

The 800w has a fully-functioning USB host port. I use it every day. It's a proper implementation and supplies 100 mA. It's plenty of power for most devices people would want to connect to a phone (keyboard, mouse, flash drive, ultrasound probe... http://ultrasound.engineering.wustl....Cell_Phone_SDK)

The G1 Android phone also has USB host capability but no hardware support on the board. Yes, there are software headers that imply it can be done, but nobody's been able to make it work, yet (I'm working on it). And is there anybody in the public who has the kernel code for webOS? They do not have to supply that. I have not seen it (doesn't mean it's not out there). the development environment for the Pre is not C under Linux. I don't believe they give any direct access to the underlying hardware... in time they will if they wish to compete with (yes, I'll say it) Windows Mobile. Apple doesn't do it, either, in case you're wondering. Android with the latest "cupcake" soruce is getting closer, but you still cannot do what the hardware will not allow (such as the USB power supply or automatic port switching when a USB host cable is plugged in).

[Monstercoatings]

Ultrasound USB
Cool link that would be really cool to use on my EMT calls even if its just to check things that we may suspect may be going on. Props to you guys.
Is the battery from the phone used or do the ultrasound sensors have a battery.
What is battery life either way?
Any pricing?
Thanks

[UltrasoundUSB]

Ultrasound USB
Cool link that would be really cool to use on my EMT calls even if its just to check things that we may suspect may be going on. Props to you guys.
Is the battery from the phone used or do the ultrasound sensors have a battery.
What is battery life either way?
Any pricing?
Thanks

The phone's battery is used to power the probe. I've left my Palm 800w running with the probe for 1.5 hours and that only consumed about 70% of the battery (and we know how lousy the Palm 800w battery is). The probe runs on less than 0.5W :cool: Not even your night-light can do that.

Right now, these are available for development/testing only. There are a few in the wild being tested. Pricing for a "bare" probe is $2000-$3000 quantity one right now; we're working on ways to bring that cost down, but even with a $500 cell phone, it's less expensive than anything else like it and extremely portable and easy/quick to use (it "boots" in about ten seconds and is ready to image). You can contact me, directly, from that web site if you want more information or to talk about possible applications. I think the EMT solution is a good one and that's why I'm spending a bit of time with a hand-held device from Trimble that's on my website and in a video. It's very rugged and has a huge battery (like maybe 4-5 hours of continuous probe/imaging use).