Bluetooth keyboard on EVO? - EVO 4G Accessories

I read somewhere that the HD2 supports bluetooth keyboards. Does anyone know if it's the same with the EVO?

Maybe, I hope so because I intend on testing it with an apple wireless keyboard

Not natively, but it should work with third party driver/apps like KeyPro.

Sweet I have my Apple Keyboard and Mouse.

I have heard a rumor that the Incredible does not support BlueInput (because of an older BT stack implemented by HTC) like-wise the EVO. I would be unhappy given the lack of a physical keyboard on the phone.
http://www.teksoftco.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=2414

That was the same error I was getting on my Sprint Hero, but the KeyPro guys made a version of the drivers that worked anyway. I think they can do the same if the EVO has the same issue.

galt said:
That was the same error I was getting on my Sprint Hero, but the KeyPro guys made a version of the drivers that worked anyway. I think they can do the same if the EVO has the same issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately it may be more OS related than a BlueInput problem.. Either way it would appear we arent getting HID anytime soon.
http://community.htc.com/na/htc-forums/android/f/91/p/2201/8561.aspx

zonyl said:
Unfortunately it may be more OS related than a BlueInput problem.. Either way it would appear we arent getting HID anytime soon.
http://community.htc.com/na/htc-forums/android/f/91/p/2201/8561.aspx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mmm, so that explains why Wiimote Controller does not work on "devices running Sense"

FYI, using a beta version of KeyPro I was able to connect my Freedom Universal Keyboard 2 to the EVO, but the keyboard mappings were off. I've contacted the developer of KeyPro (who has been very responsive to tweaking the app for Sprint Hero support), I'm pretty sure this is something they can resolve.
Will report back...

My bad, I forgot to change the keyboard type in the KeyPro options - it works GREAT with the EVO!

Good stuff! Thanks for the notice!

galt said:
My bad, I forgot to change the keyboard type in the KeyPro options - it works GREAT with the EVO!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With what keyboard?

galt said:
...I was able to connect my Freedom Universal Keyboard 2...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a pretty nice keyboard. http://www.freedominput.com/technical-support/technical-support/universal-keyboards
I should note, it provides for good text entry and some hotkey functions, but it seems that much of Android's interface isn't accessible via these kinds of devices. You are still going to have to poke at your screen to do some things. Bluetooth mouse support would make this a bit easier...

I use the v-tech virtual keyboard via KeyPro. Works quite well.
Ceger

What did you do that I can't figure out?
I've spent the best part of 8 hours trying to get my Freedom Universal 2 keyboard to connect using Keypro. The developer said not to bother purchasing the key if I couldn't get the keyboard working without it. Were you able to get it working on the trial version? Or did you have to purchase the key? I've managed to get the keyboard paired but not connected. Thanks for any tips / pointers.

Are you using the beta version from the keypro forum? The one they cooked up for the hero works for me. Which ROM are you running, and what are the symptoms of your connection problem?

The version I've been trying to get working is Keypro 2.00.08 trial.
Android version 2.2
The phone appears to pair with the keyboard when the keyboard is set to SPP, but not in HID, but they never actually connect. I've not yet been able to use the keyboard or assign shortcuts using Keypro. Thanks.

I was counting on using my think outside Serria full size folding bluetooth to work, ltd proving tto be difficult so far.
This was and perhaps is one of best keyboards but it don't matter if it doesn't even connect
Any one have an approach they could suggest?

bigwavebrian said:
The version I've been trying to get working is Keypro 2.00.08 trial.
Android version 2.2
The phone appears to pair with the keyboard when the keyboard is set to SPP, but not in HID, but they never actually connect. I've not yet been able to use the keyboard or assign shortcuts using Keypro. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recently purchased the Freedom Pro keyboard from Amazon. I figured if I could not get it to work, I could send it back to Amazon. I originally tried to use the keypro apk, but was unsuccessful. Then I downloaded the android driver from the Keyboard site, that also would connect, but not pair. I then downloaded the instruction manual and followed their directions. Still no success. Then I got the bright idea of shutting down the phone, and then trying to pair my Evo to the keyboard. Success!!!! You click on the connected part of the driver software (read the installation manual) and this time it connected. There is an area on the driver you can use to check and see if you are connected. My Evo is unrooted (since 2.2). This has replaced my laptop for on-the-go business related work.

Related

how to get Stowaway BT driver work with WM6

I'm using HTC Trinity WM6 and wish to use my old Stowaway universal Bluetooth keyboard working? i cannot find driver for WM6. anyone have it?
please help!! i love my BT keyboard and wish to get it work again.
thanks
Attached is the driver I use for my Kaiser WM6/6.1, dunno if it'll work on your Trinity or not.
If not here is the drivers page: http://corporate.igo.com/support/Drivers.asp. Just choose your manufacturer and model.
Note that WM6 comes with basic keyboard drivers -- you only need to install a driver if you want to use special functionality such as customized keys. I use the built-in drivers on my Kaiser with a BT keyboard (not the Stowaway, but supposedly compatible).
htc tytn II and sierra bt keyboard
everybody,
trying to connect / use my new sierra bt keyboard with my htc tytn II and nothing works,.... if i go through the htc the keyboard is detected, asks for a security code, does not recognise the one i put in, (although the instructions say pick one of your choice), and does not connect.
if i go through the keyboard CAB installed on the htc, still cannot connect,.... i am not exactly a 'newbie' but if someone could give a step by step direction on how to get this to work, i would be very grateful,....
thanks,
ek
sorry everyone, i used elyspar's CAB file on my htc tytn II,.... thanks for your help,....ek
found a vid on youtube very helpful,.... it's actually quite simple to connect, so maybe i need to retract, i am a newbie,....
here's the link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8HAge9yJu4
no functionality though, just basic input, good for emails / word, but limited,....
guess i have to install the driver on my kaiser somehow,....
Hi everybody, can you tell me which driver i have to install for my Niki? It's not on the list...
Thank you very much.
ekacz24 said:
everybody,
trying to connect / use my new sierra bt keyboard with my htc tytn II and nothing works,.... if i go through the htc the keyboard is detected, asks for a security code, does not recognise the one i put in, (although the instructions say pick one of your choice), and does not connect.
if i go through the keyboard CAB installed on the htc, still cannot connect,.... i am not exactly a 'newbie' but if someone could give a step by step direction on how to get this to work, i would be very grateful,....
thanks,
ek
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could use an Apple Alu BT KB with HTC TyTN (not II). Paired. Without any special driver. Remember to press Enter on the KB after the code. Now I have a new Touch HD and I get it paired but nothing happens clicking on the keyboard...
I will start installing drivers which I find here suggested and will report.
iGo stowaway BT keyboard and WM6
Hello all,
I originally posted this message in a Blackstone forum, but as this problem probably relates to WM6 in general I thought I would post here
I have an igo bluetooth keyboard and I am using Blackstone phone (running the usual WM6.1 proffessional. I installed the igo software and everything worked fine except that phone crashed a lot. Not so useful. I then uninstalled the software and paired the keyboard using the onboard Bluetooth keyboard drivers. All worked well for one run through and I was able to type away. However I have not got the thing to work again since, even after re-pairing the devices. Does anyone haev any thoughts about what I might be doing wrong?
Thanks.
Tom
Hello Guys, partly not to the topic hear....
I have an igo stowaway keyboard and a travel mouse and i have been using them with my fusi n560 (wm 6.0). Now I bought a Nokia 5800 mobile phone with symbian s60v3 touch. The keyboard came with multiple driver including both wm and symbian versions, but the mause came only with wm driver. Now the question is: do you happen to know how could I use my mouse with my symbian device? Sorry for asking symbian related question here....
Special Characters and the Sierra Stowaway
I have previously used the Sierra Bluetooth Keyboard and it worked flawlessly on my T-Mobile Wing running WM5... I recently tried to port the same driver suggested by ek... (PPC5) to the T-Mobile HTC Touch Pro2, WM6.1.
It works on all keys, including the function keys, but cannot produce the specialty characters on the 5th, number-row, i.e., [email protected]#$%^&*()
Everything else seems to work fine... anybody come across a fix for this?
Thanks!
JSS
I've been interested in acquiring an Apple Wireless Keyboard for my PDA too.
But from skimming other people's post, looking at what was successful on the internet (e.g. the guy on youtube with the Mio who paired with the Apple BT Keyboard), it seems that all the success stories come from people running WM5/6
Anything 6.1 and above seems to not work in general, although you have some success stories like from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=486595
Has anyone successfully paired with 6.1-6.5?
jstapley said:
I have previously used the Sierra Bluetooth Keyboard and it worked flawlessly on my T-Mobile Wing running WM5... I recently tried to port the same driver suggested by ek... (PPC5) to the T-Mobile HTC Touch Pro2, WM6.1.
It works on all keys, including the function keys, but cannot produce the specialty characters on the 5th, number-row, i.e., [email protected]#$%^&*()
Everything else seems to work fine... anybody come across a fix for this?
Thanks!
JSS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have similar problems with my Samsung Omnia, WM6.1 and the German Stowaway Keyboard (QWERTZ) with the driver 4.51.
Just the keys !$& are not working.
Could there be a workaround like using ASCI numbers?
I tried ALT+33 to get a "!" but had no success.
Does anybody else has some suggestions?
Thanks,
Sigi
sigi-s said:
I have similar problems with my Samsung Omnia, WM6.1 and the German Stowaway Keyboard (QWERTZ) with the driver 4.51.
Just the keys !$& are not working.
Could there be a workaround like using ASCI numbers?
I tried ALT+33 to get a "!" but had no success.
Does anybody else has some suggestions?
Thanks,
Sigi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I solved my problem:
I installed the English driver 4.52
(I have an English ROM and use a German Keyboard)
The driver was changed from version Ger4.51 to Eng4.52 on several places and I think they solved some Bugs.
I resetted my Omnia after the installation.
Because the problem still existed, I resetted the Omnia once again, while the Stowaway keyboard was selected in the keyboard menu.
After that reset all the characters worked like the should.
Hope that helps.

HTC Touch Pro 2 (TP2) and the BGP-100 Bluetooth Gamepad PLEASE HELP!

I am so frustrated! I just received my MSI BGP100 Bluetooth Gamepad yesterday & for the life of me can not get this thing working. (also known as the chainpus BGP-100 - it also says Meganet on the box). This company appears to be out of business, so I am really at everyone's mercy to get this running.
So far, I have been able to pair the gamepad with my phone & install the WinCE_Widcomm driver (this is after I installed & removed the Windows CE MS drivers - which didn't work).
I am using the 1.50 version of the gamepad application. When it opens, I go to connect to the gamepad (by selecting "active gamepad") It looks like it's going to connect, but I just get "connection error"
If anyone can steer me in the right direction, I would be soooooooo grateful. (can't wait to use it to play some vintage NES games!)
bump for a good question.
I'm working on this too. So far no luck. Anyone get it working yet? I cannot get it to connect to the joystick. The weird thing is that if I pair it manually it connects, but the program will still not allow it to connect and none of the buttons work.
ditto
worked fine on my touch pro though
Ravicai said:
bump for a good question.
I'm working on this too. So far no luck. Anyone get it working yet? I cannot get it to connect to the joystick. The weird thing is that if I pair it manually it connects, but the program will still not allow it to connect and none of the buttons work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in the same boat im getting Connection Error #4 can not find bluetooth gamepad, Search again??? i havea few more things to try will post back if I have success
Was just thinking about purchasing this for my Tilt 2. I have read reports about issues with Win Mo 6.5... Having second thoughts if it won't work.
No one has found a fix for this yet?
I think it has somethig to do with the bluetooth stack, IDK if there is a fix or a work around.
i did a whole lot of looking around again trying to get the gamepad to work with the tp2
i found a thread somewhere that had a bgp100 driver 0.9 written by a certain larry bank for bitbank software.9 i had to pair the gamepad to the tp2 first. open the progy and tell it which serial port to use (com2). it works great, well almost. the d-pad and start button work great. all the other action buttons all map to the same hex value. thats where i get stuck... any ideas? i hope this helps yall... i made it this far so it works with the stack or larry bank figured something out... good luck to all of you.
Check this out
www.bitbanksoftware.com/bgp100.zip
It worked out great for me.
Follow These Steps And You Should Be Fine.
miker2431 said:
Check this out
www.bitbanksoftware.com/bgp100.zip
It worked out great for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unzip And Save To Phone.
Turn On Bluetooth
Pair Up Controller And Phone Make Sure Connections Are Authorized
Connect To Controller
Run EXE That Was In Zip File
Set Buttons
Start Emulator
Have Fun.

[Q] How to use a Bluetooth keyboard on Desire HD?

After pairing, it said that it is paired but not connect
I have tried some different ROMs and i found that only the CM7 supports the wireless keyboard, but i really like the Sense UI.
btw, i have tried all the apps on the market that may help to use such a HID, none of them works. and i found that here(http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=715913) they gave a solution for Desire, i also do that since i think the android of these two are similar, it still not works.
Would be nice yes...! never tried pairing a keyboard though...
keyboard
hununitth said:
After pairing, it said that it is paired but not connect
I have tried some different ROMs and i found that only the CM7 supports the wireless keyboard, but i really like the Sense UI.
btw, i have tried all the apps on the market that may help to use such a HID, none of them works. and i found that here(http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=715913) they gave a solution for Desire, i also do that since i think the android of these two are similar, it still not works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi any luck withe the keyboard
Have not paired any keyboard yet. But I did pair a mouse on the ICS ROM by Lord.
It works amazingly with on-screen pointer.
Also the sense ROMs may not support bluetooth KeyBoard because HTC's Bluetooth stack doesn't support them.
In Cyanogenmod you can flawlessy pair with a Bluetooth Keyboard, I use one of those mini-keyboards daily, it's awesome

[Q] Defy+CM7+Bluetooth Keyboard

Hi there,
I'm trying to connect a rather simple/cheap bluetooth keyboard with the latest cm7 (beta 6 - amazing work thank you so much!). It's very simple to get it "Connected to hid device", but I cannot use the keyboard to actually type on the device at all.
I have been typing successfully with blueinput (connecting is tricky but there's a manual somewhere. This proves that I'm using a normal working hid keyboard), thing is that I'd love to make a Hebrew layout, which should be possible with the built in hid support in CM, if only I can get the keyboard to work....
http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/topic/...th-hid-devices/page__view__findpost__p__40957
*I'm posting at xda and cyanogenmod's forums because I can't establish if the problem is because cm7 on the motorola defy is on (rather advanced) beta, or because I'm using a brandless keyboard, which CM might not like.
Cheers!
Froyo handles HID just fine!
Take a look at this post of mine. It's a confirmation that a cheap BT keyboard does work with Froyo! Maybe Quarx can pick some files from the 3.4.3-11 ROM!?
Just my 2 cents...
Regards,
Carlos
Uh, that's awesome, I'd wish it was just working with my setup. wondering what exactly is missing there because it does report that it's connected to hid device (but as we know that's not really enough usually) hopefully someone a bit more talented than me would want to make it work then.
hijacking my own thread here- how do you like typing on that tiny thing? you can't really put all fingers on it at once can you? it's more like a one finger type thing I'd think. I sketched the keyboard down from the given dimentions (a while ago) and I figured it won't be good for my needs...
Logitech Mediaboard Pro Working!
Did a quick test to see if my logitech mediaboard works on beta6 CM7, after i found this thread
I previously tried back on 2.1 when i got the phone in december with no luck- the phone couldnt even find the keyboard even with a multitude of apps i tried
So if anyone else has this keyboard, theres some info
-- this also means basic Bluetooth HID controller is working in cm7 or 2.3.4 ginger
I bought the same keyboard and i am able to pair it with the defy on the latest nightly.
I cannot use it for text input though.
Hope it will get fixed soon.
does it say "connected to hid device" or something else?
try bluetooth keyboard easyconnect. its on the market, and no I couldn't get it to work for me...
=(
It says "Connected to HID device"
It also recognizes key presses on the keyboard as i were able to check with "blueinput" which makes a sound on keypress.
I cant use it to input anything though.
as I said before, I can type with blueinput and bluekey jp but they disconnect all the time. you should be able to at least get them to work. rt(f)m...
try to uncheck the hid profile from the bluetooth configuration menu, at least to make it work with those two drivers.
I did uncheck HID but neither of the drivers work.

Bluetooth Keyboard Connection Issue

Hi all, I just bought a COD (TM) Bluetooth Keyboard Stand from Amazon. The stand is great, but the bluetooth keyboard keep losing its connection, even when I'm typing.
What could be the cause? Does anyone know how to fix this? Your help is much appreciated.
EDIT :
Try this to fix your BT problems .
Go to settings > Connections > Bluetooth > Hit menu button > Visibility Timeout > and change it to Never
Thanks to Geordie Affy.
Thanks in advance.
eddlum25 said:
Hi all, I just bought a COD (TM) Bluetooth Keyboard Stand from Amazon. The stand is great, but the bluetooth keyboard keep losing its connection, even when I'm typing.
What could be the cause? Does anyone know how to fix this? Your help is much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try disabling the onscreen keyboard when connected to bluetooth. Some have reported this to help. I do not know for sure as I dont have BT Keyboard yet. There is some talk in one of the threads here about it. I dont remember where ATM but will look again for it and post a link to it if I can find it. Otherwise you can search in the threads for it here yourself
Here is the link I mentioned:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2526070

			
				
ArticFox918 said:
Try disabling the onscreen keyboard when connected to bluetooth. Some have reported this to help. I do not know for sure as I dont have BT Keyboard yet. There is some talk in one of the threads here about it. I dont remember where ATM but will look again for it and post a link to it if I can find it. Otherwise you can search in the threads for it here yourself
Here is the link I mentioned:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2526070
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BarryH_GEG said:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply. I tried this trick with no luck. It automatically switch back to Samsung keyboard after 2 second. Grrrrr...very annoying
Google "android 4.3 bluetooth keyboard". Android 4.3 breaks most bluetooth keyboards and it appears Google has no desire to fix it with 4.4 out now. There are fixes out there but they involve rooting and voiding your warranty on this tablet. I think those of us who use bt keyboards and want a warranty will just have to wait for Samsung to roll out 4.4.
I almost returned the tablet over this but I get enough out of it that I'll wait. Hopefully they'll roll out 4.4 soon.
Sent from my SM-P600 using xda app-developers app
LaRoach said:
Google "android 4.3 bluetooth keyboard". Android 4.3 breaks most bluetooth keyboards and it appears Google has no desire to fix it with 4.4 out now. There are fixes out there but they involve rooting and voiding your warranty on this tablet. I think those of us who use bt keyboards and want a warranty will just have to wait for Samsung to roll out 4.4.
I almost returned the tablet over this but I get enough out of it that I'll wait. Hopefully they'll roll out 4.4 soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use my Samsung BT keyboard for hours on end and have never had a single issue with it. If BT is on, my N10.1-14 auto-connects when I turn on my BT keyboard and disables the onscreen keyboard. Samsung doesn't use Android's stock BT stack so any problems in generic Android wouldn't affect their devices. There are quite a few people here that aren't having issues with BT keyboards which would lead me to believe that it's the keyboards that some people are using that are causing issues. Interestingly, I had issues with the same keyboard I'm using now on my N10.1-12 where it would fight with the onscreen keyboard and randomly pop-up accented characters if I typed something like an "a" and left my finger on the key too long. It drove me crazy and I don't have any of those issues with the N10.1-14.
It's not clear exactly what the problem is, but here are a couple of observations, from what I've noticed:
- In some cases, the problem may be related to conflicts with other apps installed. The problem became much less noticeable after i uninstalled MightyText. May be coincidence, but I definitely see a big improvement. I still get an occasional disconnect with the Logitech K810, at most once every half hour of so. When MightyText was installed, I got disconnected every couple minutes.
- I also have a Samsung BT keyboard. I very rarely get disconnects with the Samsung KB.
@BarryH_GEG
I'd like to know where it was published that Samsung isn't using the stock Android BT stack? I've tried numerous keyboards that work with my desktop, iphone, and original GN 10.1 without any issue whatsoever, but are useless with this tablet. All of the symptoms are consistent with what others have reported on android 4.3. Hard to imagine that being a coincidence. Glad you found one keyboard that works. We can add it to the (short) list of ones that do.
dpersuhn said:
@BarryH_GEG
I'd like to know where it was published that Samsung isn't using the stock Android BT stack? I've tried numerous keyboards that work with my desktop, iphone, and original GN 10.1 without any issue whatsoever, but are useless with this tablet. All of the symptoms are consistent with what others have reported on android 4.3. Hard to imagine that being a coincidence. Glad you found one keyboard that works. We can add it to the (short) list of ones that do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kind of simple really. BT's been broken in AOSP since 4.2.
Bluetooth Is Basically Broken
Known affected devices: Nexus 10, Nexus 7, Galaxy Nexus.
Documented? Android bugs [1] [2], XDA [1] [2], Google+.
We've already received numerous emails about this issue, and I've confirmed it myself: Bluetooth on everything but the Nexus 4 (apparently) is in an absolutely sorry state right now. Audio streams extremely choppily, sounds mediocre, and often loses connectivity entirely. 3rd party Bluetooth apps that create compatibility with devices like the Sixaxis or Wii controllers no longer function at all, and throw an error instead.
This is bad. This is the kind of thing that makes someone return a phone or tablet, because A.) people have no patience for stuff like this, and B.) there's zero reason something as simple as Bluetooth should be broken so badly out of the box. Google needs to mark this one "critical" and fix it ASAP.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/1...major-issues-plaguing-googles-newest-release/​
Samsung's 4.2 devices weren't affected which means they had to be using either their own BT s/w or made major modifications to BT in AOSP. As for a "short list," how do we know it's of "working" peripheral's vs. "broken" peripheral's? I've only seen about a half-dozen BT connectivity complaints and really wasn't aware of the problem until it was pointed out to me in another thread. In my case I have about six BT devices I use regularly including speakers, headphones, mice, and keyboards and if asked I'd say they work better on the N10.1-14 then they did on the N10.1-12. I'd define "better" as connecting faster automatically, staying connected, and playing well with others when multiple BT devices are connected. To your point, I could be the anomaly but as posted in this and other threads disabling the onscreen keyboard and checking for conflicting s/w seems to have helped some people so it wouldn't appear BT issues are that widespread (yet).
I agree that the onscreen keyboard adds much to the frustration, as it's default behavior mimics the problems folks have been reporting on other 4.3 devices. Most of what I've come across cites keyboard issues that many have experienced immediately after upgrading to 4.3, but that doesn't really meet the requirements of being evidence either. I suppose the only real way to know would be to grab the base android build that Sammy used and compare files.
As for compatibility issues beyond keyboard input, I can't really speak to that, as I only have a few audio devices and one gamepad. It isn't really a large enough sampling to suggest that the entire stack is hosed up. My issues have been entirely related to BT keyboards, so I'm more focused on that.
You mention conflicting software, which brings up a question. Since the BT stack would be considered part of the protected core OS, apps would require root to mess with it, wouldn't they? The six axis app being a good example, as it requires root. To hook the BT stack at a low enough level to add profiles or override existing ones for compatibility isn't something that should be possible with a user level app. I could be off base here and the reports of user apps affecting BT are an interesting coincidence, but I'm not sure I can quite see where the two cross paths. The alternative is surely more concerning, as it would imply that core OS functions in this tablet are somehow exposed to being overridden by user space apps.
dpersuhn said:
I agree that the onscreen keyboard adds much to the frustration, as it's default behavior mimics the problems folks have been reporting on other 4.3 devices. Most of what I've come across cites keyboard issues that many have experienced immediately after upgrading to 4.3, but that doesn't really meet the requirements of being evidence either. I suppose the only real way to know would be to grab the base android build that Sammy used and compare files.
As for compatibility issues beyond keyboard input, I can't really speak to that, as I only have a few audio devices and one gamepad. It isn't really a large enough sampling to suggest that the entire stack is hosed up. My issues have been entirely related to BT keyboards, so I'm more focused on that.
You mention conflicting software, which brings up a question. Since the BT stack would be considered part of the protected core OS, apps would require root to mess with it, wouldn't they? The six axis app being a good example, as it requires root. To hook the BT stack at a low enough level to add profiles or override existing ones for compatibility isn't something that should be possible with a user level app. I could be off base here and the reports of user apps affecting BT are an interesting coincidence, but I'm not sure I can quite see where the two cross paths. The alternative is surely more concerning, as it would imply that core OS functions in this tablet are somehow exposed to being overridden by user space apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great post and it touches on one of Android's key weaknesses. "Core" like everything else is nothing but a guideline. OEMs like Samsung and app developers color outside the lines all the time for their own benefit. In Samsung's case it was beneficial because BT in 4.2 was a mess and based on your findings still is so Samsung's meddling helped their audience. Android's kind of like the wild wild West in that regard. Add to that something like BT which itself is kind of like the wild wild West with frequent complaints about incompatibility between devices and you end up with the situation we're discussing. In every phone forum I've seen there's always multiple threads on "can't connect to my [insert brand of car]'s BT system." If the phone and car's BT implementation followed prescribed standards that wouldn't be the case. But who knows who's fault it is - the device OEM or the car manufacturer.
Here's another thing to consider about Samsung devices. ROMs from different regions with the same build and change list number released within days or weeks of each other can have different versions of included apps and s/w. As an example, some users on the N10.1-12 forum couldn't import PDFs in to S Note while the majority could. Those that could successfully imported the same PDFs that those that couldn't were having issues with. With some sleuthing we discovered there were almost a dozen different versions of S Note and that two had the PDF issue. And that was with the N10.1-12 being out for about three months. I'm on a Latin American SM-601 so there's the possibility that my BT might be different from U.S. (and possibly other region) SM-600's.
You might want to try a Samsung BT keyboard that you can return if you want to see if the BT issue is pervasive. If Samsung's KB works then you'll know that BT isn't totally borked and that perhaps updates might correct incompatibility issues with other keyboards.
The OEM customizations necessary to fit android to a particular platform is a necessary part of enabling the OS on vendor specific hardware platforms. I get that part, but replacing the entire stack instead of just creating the kernel driver component would definitely be an aggressive move. If this is the case, I would really be surprised that apps outside of the ones Samsung has written or bundled would be able to interfere with it. Maybe I'm giving samsung too much credit by assuming that they would leave the baseline android security model intact, but to deviate from it that badly is asking for a major vulnerability trainwreck. The inclusion of Knox (I won't get started on that in this thread) would imply that they are trying to prevent such a thing.
I obviously don't have the details necessary to speak decisively about what Samsng May or may not have done, but if what you say is correct and they have inserted some other BT stack, KitKat may not help us either. The stock BT stack in it adds support for HID over GATT (HOGP), enabling A number of BT 4.0 LE devices that currently won't work (MS Arc Touch for Surface Pro, for example). I'm hoping we might see an update to 4.4 in Q1 '14, so it'll be interesting to see how an updated release affects BT functionality.
Anyone try the app external keyboard helper?
Sent from my SM-P605 using XDA Premium HD app
matsuru said:
Anyone try the app external keyboard helper?
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I gave the free version a shot but it didn't work. I tried some of the steps listed for Samsumg devices as well but no go...
matsuru said:
Anyone try the app external keyboard helper?
Sent from my SM-P605 using XDA Premium HD app
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I tried it as well with no luck. Bluetooth keyboard connection is very intermittent. Connection still broken while typing.
Sent from my SM-P600 using XDA Premium HD app
I have a logitech k810 bluetooth keyboard and have no issues with disconnects, whatsoever. Maybe its a problem with the keyboards trying to conserve energy?
ChrisNee1988 said:
I have a logiteck k810 bluetooth keyboard and have no issues with disconnects, whatsoever. Maybe its a problem with the keyboards trying to conserve energy?
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Could you describe your device details?
I'm having this problem with logitech k810 keyboard and android mouse. I have the pro version of the keyboard helper and it has no effect.
Here is a video of the issue = http://youtu.be/WlCgFQ0cAO0
It is much worse with the keyboard than the mouse. My Note 3 running android 4.3 has no issue with galaxy gear, keyboard, mouse and allshare cast all connected at once. I expected the same out of this tablet. I may be returning this tablet, I do not find this acceptable.
My device is a 32GB white SM-p600 USA version.
BT problem exists at initial boot, and was tested after each incremental firmware update to still be present.
Action B said:
Could you describe your device details?
I'm having this problem with logitech k810 keyboard and android mouse. I have the pro version of the keyboard helper and it has no effect.
Here is a video of the issue = http://youtu.be/WlCgFQ0cAO0
It is much worse with the keyboard than the mouse. My Note 3 running android 4.3 has no issue with galaxy gear, keyboard, mouse and allshare cast all connected at once. I expected the same out of this tablet. I may be returning this tablet, I do not find this acceptable.
My device is a 32GB white SM-p600 USA version.
BT problem exists at initial boot, and was tested after each incremental firmware update to still be present.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw your video (nice nicknames for mouse and note btw). I have the USA p600 16GB wifi only - white. I don't have a bluetooth mouse so I can't try that but it seems to work flawlessly with my K810 keyboard with my limited trials. I haven't done any extensive like write a paper but i've done some messaging and emails. Also i've only tried it with the latest firmware. I'd recommend doing a factory reset, and if that doesn't fix it, maybe exchange it for another unit.
Action B said:
BT problem exists at initial boot, and was tested after each incremental firmware update to still be present.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since there's no possible s/w conflicts and I'm assuming you disabled the onscreen keyboard during your testing it might be the keyboard itself. If your keyboard is older/newer than @ChrisNee1988's it might have a different chip or f/w in it. Peripherals aren't built to exacting standards whereas it's unlikely for there to be h/w differences between two SM-600's built so close together.
BarryH_GEG said:
Since there's no possible s/w conflicts and I'm assuming you disabled the onscreen keyboard during your testing it might be the keyboard itself. If your keyboard is older/newer than @ChrisNee1988's it might have a different chip or f/w in it. Peripherals aren't built to exacting standards whereas it's unlikely for there to be h/w differences between two SM-600's built so close together.
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The keyboard works great on my note 3 so it's fine.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

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