USB storage does NOT work: "Natively" (File transfer is possible when rooted)

[rushmore]

As I expected,

Per Anandtech:

"Update 2: I've asked for further clarification about what USB-OTG functionality is supported. Using a mouse and keyboard will be supported, and I saw Google using an ethernet to USB adapter over USB-OTG as well. Unfortunately I found out that mounting USB storage will not be supported natively. In addition MHL is not supported."



My advice for folks that want to save money is to hold OFF on buying this, since there will probably be a zillion of these on eBay in the next few months. JMO. Media non-clouders or people not happy with using it will dump this device after a short period of use. The 8GB is pure nuts. Added: Perhaps 75% will love the device, but that 25% balance probably has a lot of eBay bidness with the 8GB model in particular.

The Nexus 7 is Cloud and Proud, like it or not.


Added: My guess is the rooters will see support like the Gnex, which means 32gb or smaller should work some time down the road. IF you root.

 

[yegon]

My advice for folks that want to save money is to hold OFF on buying this, since there will probably be a zillion of these on eBay in the next few months. JMO.

Whilst I'm totally with you, as per the other thread, regarding sd card slots and local storage ftw, I dunno about people selling them in the next few months dissatisfied. I don't think the masses are that bothered about masses of local storage. Weren't the most popular iPads from previous generations (dunno about current) the 16gb models? Admittedly, that may be price related, but almost every non-techy person I know with an iPad has a 16gb wifi and are very happy with it.

Myself? Of course, I bought the 64gb iPad 1&3, heh, but I think I'm a non-typical user like yourself.

 

[rushmore]

I am mainly ranting since anti cloud and would have bought this if full non hack need host support.

I am not as much anti cloud as I am against anti choice. If Google had their way, ALL Android devices would be like this.

 

[c4v3man]

I am mainly ranting since anti cloud and would have bought this if full non hack need host support.

I am not as much anti cloud as I am against anti choice. If Google had their way, ALL Android devices would be like this.

Seems pretty premature to claim that you need a "hack" to be able to use USB OTG storage. Who knows, maybe a simple app is all that is needed without root.

Also, the Title should be "General USB Storage does NOT work without 3rd party software" . It's actually pretty clear that it WILL be supported in the future, with root or without it.

Also, if Google wanted to have their way regarding expandable storage, they could just remove it from the kernel, or create a spinoff that is closed source. Irregardless of what perhaps a few of the developers on the Android team would want, Google is choosing to not have their way, and is giving user the choice of buying hardware that has the features they want. It may not be for $200-250, but you do have the option to buy it, unlike other vendors.

 

[bldgengineer]

Meh. Doesnt bother me if i have to root and hack to use USB for storage. 16Gb is plenty of storage for me anyway until i travel. By then root should have already been accomplished as well as the hack to make this work. I mainly use my nook for reading, internet, and simple games to pass the time in the car or airport anyway. My Rezound has become soul source and i'd rather listen to music than watch tv or movies.

 

[rushmore]

Considering most people do not root, it does not work and if only 3.3 volt, same restrictions as the Gnex even if rooted and modded.

I might compromise though and add an "apparently"......

Wish the Phandroid app had advanced editing.

 

[c4v3man]

Considering most people do not root, it does not work and if only 3.3 volt, same restrictions as the Gnex even if rooted and modded.

I might compromise though and add an "apparently"......

Considering that a significant portion of NEXUS users do root, I fail to see your point. While the general population may not root, Nexus devices are oftentimes sought out by users specifically to root. More importantly, "most people" have no desire to use USB OTG. If a poll was taken, I would bet money that over 2/3 of people who have interest in USB OTG (let alone actual users) are comfortable with rooting their device.

I simply don't want people to read your title, and leave the forum without reading and discovering the full story. By appending "naitively" to the end of your title, confusion would be avoided and encourage people to research more.

 

[DanielM426]

I think you have made it pretty clear to all of us that you don't want this device

 

[rushmore]

Considering that a significant portion of NEXUS users do root, I fail to see your point. While the general population may not root, Nexus devices are oftentimes sought out by users specifically to root. More importantly, "most people" have no desire to use USB OTG. If a poll was taken, I would bet money that over 2/3 of people who have interest in USB OTG (let alone actual users) are comfortable with rooting their device.

I simply don't want people to read your title, and leave the forum without reading and discovering the full story. By appending "naitively" to the end of your title, confusion would be avoided and encourage people to research more.

Instead of natively can I put nakedly??


There, I hope you are happy caveman! I REALLY wanted to put nakedly though- real word?

 

[18t]

so much talk about this and so little care

 

[rushmore]

I care, since Google took a sweet ASUS tablet and gimped it. This could have been my TF300's mini me.

 

[18t]

oh well...run along now

 

[rushmore]

I will, nakedly.

 

[c4v3man]

I will, nakedly.

How do you dislike... where the hell is that button...

 

[Xyro]

And with that mental image, lets please get back on topic

Personally, I'm still hoping that the socket can provide enough power, so that custom ROMs can enable it as a feature. Hopefully we'll get some confirmation on that soon.

 

[c4v3man]

And with that mental image, lets please get back on topic

Personally, I'm still hoping that the socket can provide enough power, so that custom ROMs can enable it as a feature. Hopefully we'll get some confirmation on that soon.

I have a hard time believing that Google would make a custom 3V USB to Ethernet adapter as opposed to just using a standard adapter. I'm sure there's a 5V line in the phone that has enough extra juice to be used on that line, and I'd assume most gamepads like the X360 one would requite 5V, but who knows.

I bet it will work. If not, having a powered hub isn't a dealbreaker, although it is definitely a bummer.

 

[Xyro]

If not, having a powered hub isn't a dealbreaker, although it is definitely a bummer.

Yeah. In that case, you'd have a few different options to play with. You could have hubs/drives that plugs into the mains, but then you're losing any sense of portability. There are also hubs/drives with their own rechargable battery, although I expect they're pricey.

 

[rushmore]

I have a hard time believing that Google would make a custom 3V USB to Ethernet adapter as opposed to just using a standard adapter. I'm sure there's a 5V line in the phone that has enough extra juice to be used on that line, and I'd assume most gamepads like the X360 one would requite 5V, but who knows.

I bet it will work. If not, having a powered hub isn't a dealbreaker, although it is definitely a bummer.

Good point about Ethernet.

 

[Xyro]

A guy with a rooted I/O device over on XDA has confirmed in this thread and this thread that he has mounted a portable hardrive sucessfully. Transfering files to and from the device does work, although he hasn't been able to open media/files straight off of the external drive so far. He's also had problems with certain file systems too.

Still, at least those are issues that can probably be dealt with

 

[Epicurean]

A guy with a rooted I/O device over on XDA has confirmed in this thread and this thread that he has mounted a portable hardrive sucessfully. Transfering files to and from the device does work, although he hasn't been able to open media/files straight off of the external drive so far. He's also had problems with certain file systems too.

Still, at least those are issues that can probably be dealt with

Yes, I saw those threads and just ordered the 16 gb!

 

[rushmore]

It is progress, but the point of the thread was for external space to play media from. People will now read this and assume you can do that now. It could be a driver issue and done on purpose as part of the OS package.

Just sayin'. May be harder to mod than some are thinking.

 

[Xyro]

It is progress, but the point of the thread was for external space to play media from. People will now read this and assume you can do that now. It could be a driver issue and done on purpose as part of the OS package.

Just sayin'. May be harder to mod than some are thinking.

Really? I thought my explanation made it clear what currently works and what does not.

As for whether or not it can be improved, well, yep that's just my speculation (as a non-developer).

 

[rushmore]

Agreed. You know, if Google simply allowed a native function like this to work 100% in the first place, this would be so simple

 

[Xyro]

So that guy who says that file transfer worked has done further testing. The results are a little odd...

He has a microUSB connecting sdcard reader, which he is attempting to open video, music and pdfs from. When he transferred the files from his PC to the sdcard, as normal, they wouldn't open, as we know.

However, if he loads the files onto the tablet (via Airdroid or connecting it to his PC), then moves them to the sdcard from there, they open, apparently. Weird.

 

[rushmore]

There can be at least two reasons for this:

1. Power threshold is not quite there to both open and flow data from the external source and play back. To see if this is the issue, try to play the source with a powered hub.

2. Google went out of their way to prevent this, so no resources in the firmware to support any playback except from the internal paths/mnts.

The lack of progress so far at least suggests this is not just a case of something turned off and may require effort beyond what most people will bother with. This would further support this was done on purpose.

Got to admire Google's focus: You WILL use the cloud!! Though this device would sell even more units with external support, it will still choke probably EVERY Android device within $50 to either drop price or die. The competition will get the external storage users, but that will be the minority of us consumers.

Heck, it could choke higher price tablets too, and even nip at the iPad. I wonder if this will drag Apple into the 7" market now?