How to make a USB Y cable for host mode on HP TouchPad or Android

Instructions on how to build a usb y cable to use your HP TouchPad as a usb host, for keyboards, usb sticks, or camera sd cards. This cable should work with any android devices that support host mode, but don't supply power to the connected usb devices.

The USB host mode adapter I used:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/micro-usb-on-the-go-host-otg-adapter-pair-50774?...

Heat shrink:
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/1m-black-heat-shrink-tubing-five-size-pack-0-8-1...
or you could use electrical tape.

If you don't have enough spare USB cables, monoprice or AmazonBasics are a good, inexpensive choice:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TH7GUU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=r...

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• OTG
• usb
• host mode
• touchpad
• android
• web os
• cyanogen
• y cable
• usb y cable
• Android (operating System)
• HP TouchPad
• Phone

[Asorekim]

Thanks for the quick response. I tried the photos in the DCIM directory and still no luck seeing them. I just realized you have installed Andriod OS. Does the ability to see the flash drive only work with Andriod OS and not WebOS?

[jbowes]

@Asorekim you can, but as far as I know it's a more manual process. You'd have to get a terminal emulator installed from Preware and mount the flash drive manually any time you attached it.

I found installing Preware to be about as complex as installing Android on the touchpad, for what its worth ;)

[Asorekim]

Great video -thanks. I used a manufactured USB y cable with a OTG cable and powered it with the touchpad power adapter. Th charge indicator did not show charging so I assume the OTG cable did not have the power pin connected. The keyboard worked but I could not get a flash drive to work which is what I really wanted to use. Any suggestions to make the touchpad see the flash drive? Thx

[jbowes]

@Asorekim if you're using a flash drive with pictures on it, any especially if they're layed out in the same way a camera would (in a DCIM directory) it should just work. Otherwise, the drive will get mounted by Android, but not in any useful location. If you want to copy files around for backup or whatever, you can always fire up the terminal and manually mess around with the files.

[Shaylesety]

nice. but i dnt want this:D ... im looking for sometin like. if is possible and how to make a wireless keyboard work with a usb cable

[cheapsckate]

Can't get mouse to turn on, all connections are triple checked its just the mouse wont turn on not enough power? ??

[porpoisepornjim]

Great tutorial , I will be making one this afternoon. I am mainly intrested in using flash drives for video as there is no WiFi on Deep Panuke.

What app you are using to get you controling buttons along the bottom of your sceen?

[AVNSpider]

guys i need help , i bought a New micro USB to USB Female Cable USB-OTG N900 and the y cable New USB 2.0 A to USB A Male Data Power Y Cable i put them to a usb 2.0 hub but my hub has its on usb wire connector to power the usbs i dont know what i am doing wrong that i cant seem to make this work do i have the wrong type of hub , or what i am doing wrong so i can use a usb flash drive and and use it , maybe keyboard and mouse as well all three be nice like i saw on the videos from people .

[Asorekim]

I was able to mount the flash drive using Xterm. You are correct, it's a pain. I really like WebOS but will most likely move to Android OS as soon as a more stable version is available. Thanks again for your help.

[rebelduke1]

Well done!