Iconia B1 - Connect a USB MIDI keyboard
Hello,
Since one day I am the owner of a B1 tablet, bought with the intention to connect it to a USB MIDI music keyboard. The tablet seemed to be ideal for this purpose: limited options, a recent version of Android OS installed, etc. As known, Android supports USB host mode since version 3.1. But alas... it did not work as expected. I installed an appropriate application, but then the story ended.
In an older post to this forum I found the following:
> Re: Acer Iconia B- Can I use a USB Dongle???
>
> 02-04-2013 07:44 PM
>
> The information I have available on the Iconia B1-A71 says that the microUSB port is not a hub port and is for data
> cable connectivity and for charging. You should be able to do data transfer with the port from another computer.
Now I have 2 questions:
1 - Where was this information available? I should have known it before I purchased the Iconia B tablet.
2 - Is it by any means possible to activate USB host mode for this tablet? Supply of power (5 volt) to the USB connection is not that important.
Please notify that USB host mode is an issue for a lot of people: you then can connect e.g. a mouse to your tablet.
Thanks for any help,
Wouter Boeke
Answers
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No it is not possible to change the design of the tablet.
You have already quoted the pertinent data from a previous post.
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Acer-Tommy wrote:
> No it is not possible to change the design of the tablet.
Sorry Mr. Tommy, but that did not answer my questions. I did not ask for a design modification, I asked whether USB host mode could be activated by a firmware update. The usual 5V supply to the USB port of course cannot be provided, as this would imply a hardware change.
My first question was more important: in general, why are important specifications for new hardware not available somewhere, somehow?
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You did ask whether the operation of the system could be changed. The USB port is not designed as a hub. A firmware update will not change how the port is designed.
You do not list where you looked for what you consider "important" data.
I was able to provide that data, so it does exist "somewhere, somehow".
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Tommy:
> You did ask whether the operation of the system could be changed. The USB port is not designed as a hub.
> A firmware update will not change how the port is designed.
Hi Tommy,
I did not ask for a USB hub, but for a USB host. A hub is some device that creates multiple ports from one port. A host is something that can initiate a USB connection between 2 USB ports. You need that to connect e.g. a mouse or a MIDI keyboard to your tablet. This is supported by Android since version 3.1
> You do not list where you looked for what you consider "important" data.
> I was able to provide that data, so it does exist "somewhere, somehow".
The big question remains: where is that information located? Because you are an Acer Technician, probably you have access to information that this poor customer has not. Please, supply a link, many visitors of this forum would be grateful.
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I would like to find out what Bluetooth keyboard would be compatible with an Acer Iconia B1 A71 tablet?
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Is there any solution for this? Acer moderator please response.
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Hello whisnu
This is a peer to peer support forum. The moderators work only with the forum itself and do not have access to technical information or services to answer the question.
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FYI: I don't bother anymore, I dumped my Acer Iconia and bought a Nexus 7, which has full USB-host support.
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So the Icoina B1 will not support a remote keyboard thru the charging port? Bummer
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