I think there is not secret that smartphones are in the category of portable micro computer, but what we did realize is how well it function as a micro personal computer.
I have combined Samsung Galaxy Note ( from now on I will shorten it as GNote) HDTV (HDMI-MicroUSB) connector, HDMI ready LCD/LED TV/monitor, and bluetooth keyboard (with mousepad built in). In this case, I tested it with:
- Samsung HDTV connector
- Sharp Aquos 22" LCD TV, HDMI ready
- Logitech diNovo Mini
What I have found is that the mousepad activate cursor to appear on the screen of my GNote. Since the screen is copied to the LCD TV, my GNote has become a micro PC that I can use to browse web, documents, emails, play games, etc.
Practical Funtionality
The functionality of this feature is making office computing very
portable. Leave the monitor, keyboard and cables in the office, and you
can just bring the 5.3" GNote as your portable office.
For data, just use Dropbox, Google Docs, Soonr (on this one, I will make a separate blog since it has one of the coolest feature I have ever seen), or similar type of cloud document storage system and your document will always be with you. And if you need bigger space, just use USB Flash Drive. GNote can read it using microUSB to USB connector which you can buy at very affordable price.
Enjoy!!
* "if you need bigger space, just use USB Flash Drive"
ReplyDeleteOK its works well, but did you try in the configuration you describe, i.e. connected to the HDMI monitor ? In my own tests, HDMI output seems exclusive of OTG so you can't use any USB stuff when connected to a screen. So if your HD movie or you documents folder are on an USB stick, you must first load them into your SGN or its µSD card. Wish SGN has a seperate miniHDMI connector (it seems big enough for that !).
* In my tests (with Android 2.3, didn't migrate to 4.0 ICS yet), except USB stick (and only in FAT), only few USB stuffs were reconnized by Android (even with external power), far from what a real PC can use. I heard hat ICS might carry more USB drivers.
* What screen resolution do you get ? For me, HDMI displays a clone of the internal screen so 1280*800 instead of expected FullHD : I don't get more "room" when browsing or editing, only bigger display. Only Videos seem to display in real FullHD mode on HDMI (which at least make it a nice pocket mediaplayer). Concerning Photo slideshow, I'm not sure what resolution is displayed.
Theses limitations (maybe some others) lower somehow the pretention of SGN as a "perfect" pocket PC, although it might be the smartphone that is the closest to than "dream". And I'm afraid SGN 2 didn't go much further on these points (although I didn't put my hands on it, just guessing).
Best regards.
Hello, sorry for the late reply.
DeleteTo response to your comments:
- the HDMI connector from Samsung Galaxy Note (also S2, S3 and Note 2) are a proprietary connector called MHL/HDTV (or HDMI) cable. You can buy this at Samsung accessories stores or, nowadays with the rise of Samsung smartphones to fame, OEM MHL connector. Make sure it is microUSB to full HDMI. The unique characteristic of this connector is that it has microUSB receptor to plug in the charger.
- It is, I used Gingerbread on my SGNote and it sometimes failed to read certain type of USB drive. Once I have upgraded it to ICS, it can read more types of USB drives. However, please note that it still has limitation of: FAT formatted, less that 32GB, and it only suppert low power USB. Currently, I have seen some higher power USB that has additional functionality, like as wifi receptor or modem, it will not work with SGNote.
- The resolution is set lower, actually. I believe (I don't have scientific data) it appears to be at 720p.
I think this features enables us to use SGNote as a CPU at home environment or even as a replacement Smart TV Connection.
In the office, it does work (and I have tried it) as presentation tools. I connect to SGNote using a bluetooth keyboard that also has mouse pad, so it does help in controlling the presentation and screen.
In term of HD resolution for playing movies, I suggest that you can play it using the USB on TV. The TV will get the best resolution and far clearer picture.
A note on SGNote2, it has a different resolution 1280 x 720, instead of 1280x800 like the predecessor. Also the dpi is lower. The reason behind this decision basically because SGNote2 must support multitasking that will split the screen for the 2 active applications at the same time.
A little bit sidelining, if you are looking for a smartphone capable to act as pocket PC, then there is a newer line of product that might impress you: Asus PadFone. Try it. Now, Asus released PadFone2. It is a 4" Android phone that double function processor for a tablet. This is a package. You can use the phone and put the tablet in your bag, so if you want bigger screen, just drop in the phone into the tablet and it becomes an Android tablet.
Hello, I'm "AnonymousNovember 28, 2012" again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your detailed answer that I read only now :-/
PadFone2 may indeed go closer to the "computer-phone" concept, I will give it a look, although I never saw it IRL, only on the Web.
I will also follow the SGN line : SGN1+ICS should be a bit better (as you tell me), SGN2 is impressive, SGN3 is rumored...
Best Regards
Hello again,
DeletePadfone2 is not the first and the only one, there are Asus Transformers, and also more Android Mini PC coming out.
As for the SGN line, watch for the Jelly Bean version of Android on them (SGN2), it will be killer since it has more features that will make your life easy in your daily operational.
SGN3 is rumored as an 6" phablet. SGNote 8.0 (8") is also introduced in the news. If you like editing on tablet, SGN 8.0 is what you need to watch for.
Also, since Nexus 7, and Kindle Fire, has launched 7" tablet in hard core market, you should watch for the 7" and 8" tablet to be the new standard of tablet, instead of 10".
Today, I have also read that Mountain View has made WindowsAndroid, an Android Interface to run on Windows natively, without the Virtualization process. That means the OS war has enter a new and exciting level.
Worth watching to see how they fair.