Adding 3G+GPS

[Guest decpvr]

After looking at this thread (post #7), I thought it would be best to start one just for this.

So does Paul or anyone know if it's possible? Does that look like a standard connector in the picture (mini-PCI/express or similar)?

If so and modules can be purchased then I guess it's a software issue - enabling the device to access the 3G/GPS module and use it.

I'm not bothered about phone calls, mainly 3G data access, although being able to send/receive SMS would be handy.

Or is it just too much work when there should be a 3G (+GPS?) version out after Christmas?

Edited November 27, 2010 by decpvr

[Guest Bobbler]

Doesn't look to be a standard connector from what I can work out. Certainly not a Mini-PCI - has no "key" slot for a start and not enough connector pins (assuming its only a single sided connection by the looks of it)

Probably more chance via USB being enabled and getting a 3G dongle going?

Potentially that socket inside could be probed to find out what it does, I have seen a few devices (Acer One netbook springs to mind) where extra USB connectors and the like I have been found via similar methods. IF they do bring out a model with 3G module - either from PC World/Advent brand or any other that takes the base model P1ANO1 device - then mods to bring that to existing owners should be fairly straightforward I would think.

[Guest decpvr]

Oh well, wait and see then I guess.

Like you say, maybe something to look into once the 3G ones are available?

[Guest QLF]

Looks like "gps2blue" will allow you to use your phones GPS unit, and something like joikuspot would do the same for 3G.

Investigating this now ;)

Also trying "Symarctic Extgps", as I'm currently stuck with an N97!

Edited December 5, 2010 by QLF

[Guest warriorscot]

It could be a propreitary socket type. It looks from the placement and the empty space in the Vega like it was designed to attach an add-on module of some kind. Probably to allow expandability at the manufacturing stage. I would assume that is where the later models that have 3G will have a module fitted to allow it possibly along with other features.

If they make peripherals that use the port we could probably see a lot of upgrade modules available or if someone work out the design and make an adapter there are a few pieces of hardware that would go in there already. Personally I wouldn't mind being able to add extra storage. Looks to be enough space to add in a small hard drive either SSD or standard. If someone came up with a daughter board to go in there that had maybe 64Gb or more of flash with GPS and 3G it would sell like hotcakes.

And its an Nvidia reference design so they probably have a few things that use the slot that aren't on the market. There is probably information on the port and its potential uses somewhere the trick is just finding it and hopefully in English.

[Guest Drizz]

I'm just about to try Bluetooth GPS output on my HTC magic, Not 100% it's going to work as the phone is still v1.6.

Search market for 'Meowsbox'

[Guest Drizz]

OK update, doesn't look like it supports android 1.6 as a search on the market doesn't bring it up on my phone. but it's there on the vega.

[Guest QLF]

Looks like "gps2blue" will allow you to use your phones GPS unit, and something like joikuspot would do the same for 3G.

Investigating this now :unsure:

Also trying "Symarctic Extgps", as I'm currently stuck with an N97!

OK, i've come up with an issue whereby i'm unable to connect between my N97 and the Vega, using Symarctic Extgps and Bluetooth GPS on the n97. I get the error "Service discovery failed".

So is anyone smart enough to try this: (from url: http://www.symarctic.com/beta/index.php?m=...ry091215-064452 )

15 December 2009, 06:44 - ExtGPS

Posted by Jarno Heikkinen

Here's a little tip for those of you who use different kind of GPS enabled software development tools. You can use ExtGPS to provide live GPS information for your development purposes.

On Android development kit, there is a special text based protocol over TCP port 5554 which can set the GPS position used for Android applications. ExtGPS (and any other GPS) can easily be setup to feed emulator with live GPS data. Well, at least if you are on a UNIX based system.

On OSX, to use live ExtGPS data with Android emulator, just connect ExtGPS normally (there's instructions link on the right navbar). Start Android emulator and run this command line on shell (single line):

cat /dev/tty.E90-SymarcticExtGPS | sed -e 's/^/geo nmea /g' | telnet localhost 5554

On Windows, it might be possible to get same results by creating a BT serial port and using PuTTY's plink command to read the serial port, but there's no built-in sed command to format the data...

Sadly i'm not, but would love it if someone was able to help or point me in the right direction...

[Guest ptbw]

Looks like "gps2blue" will allow you to use your phones GPS unit, and something like joikuspot would do the same for 3G.

Investigating this now :unsure:

Also trying "Symarctic Extgps", as I'm currently stuck with an N97!

Just to let you know I use Joikuspot with my N8 and it only works in adhoc mode so the Vega does not connect out of the box, see a post about replacing the the wpa_supplicant file (which can be done using adb) to make it work..

HTH

[Guest AntiCatalyst]

Doesn't look to be a standard connector from what I can work out. Certainly not a Mini-PCI - has no "key" slot for a start and not enough connector pins (assuming its only a single sided connection by the looks of it)

Probably more chance via USB being enabled and getting a 3G dongle going?

Potentially that socket inside could be probed to find out what it does, I have seen a few devices (Acer One netbook springs to mind) where extra USB connectors and the like I have been found via similar methods. IF they do bring out a model with 3G module - either from PC World/Advent brand or any other that takes the base model P1ANO1 device - then mods to bring that to existing owners should be fairly straightforward I would think.

it HAS to be a standard port, probably mini-pcie. I'll eat my hand if it's not.

These chinese-made devices don't have anything proprietary. It's just so much cheaper to use the standard ports and pick readily available off-the-shelf 3G/GPS/Wifi chips. This also provides a modular base for the companies to build on. The Vega for example has no 3g but that "dream-something 360" one does.

Proprietary hardware standards are only for large-scale enterprises like Dell and Apple, and even those have gone more and more "standard" over the years.

I'm getting one of these(POV Mobii) in a few days, i'll look into it for sure. If it is a mini-pcie port(and i happen to have one installed rather than just a couple of solder points) i'll probably order a 3g module and antennas off eBay and try it out for real.

[Guest worto03]

Looks like "gps2blue" will allow you to use your phones GPS unit, and something like joikuspot would do the same for 3G.

I use bluetooth gps provider to connect to an external gps receiver and joikuspot to get 3g data via my o2 nokia E51 as posted above this only works in ad-hoc mode so you need to be on the right custom rom for it to work or use the wpa_supplicant patch.