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How to connect a USB accessory to an Android smartphone or tablet

How to connect a USB accessory to an Android smartphone or tablet

Posted: 20 Jul 2012, 02:32, by Nick T.

Categories: Accessories Accessories Android Android Interesting facts Interesting facts Hacks & Mods Hacks & Mods How-to How-to

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How to connect a USB accessory to an Android smartphone or tablet

With Android 3.1, Google's mobile platform added a new trick to its repertoire – USB host functionality. In plain words, that allows for Android devices to work with a broad range of USB peripherals, such as keyboards, mice, USB flash memory sticks, and even gamepads. But what about smartphones and tablets that don't have a full size USB port? Well, they still can get along well with such accessories too, with the help of an inexpensive gizmo.

The USB On-The-Go cable adapter plugs into the microUSB port of an Android device and provides a standard size USB port on its other end. All you have to do is to plug in the desired USB accessory in there and you should be good to go.

PS3 controller connected to a Samsung Galaxy S III using a USB OTG adapter

Be aware, however, that not all devices are compatible with USB OTG adapters. The list of the smartphones and tablets that are known to work includes:

Samsung Galaxy S II
Samsung Galaxy S III
Samsung Galaxy Nexus (USB flash drives not supported)
Google Nexus 7 (USB flash drives not supported)
Motorola Droid RAZR
Samsung Galaxy Tab
Acer Iconia Tab A200
Acer Iconia Tab A500
Archos G9
Notion Ink Adam
Motorola XOOM
Toshiba Excite 10
Sony Tablet S

For anyone who is interested, Amazon has cheapo USB On-The-Go adapters in stock and they only cost a few dollars. Those of you who might get one, what USB accessory would you connect to your smartphone? Drop a comment below and let us know.

source: CNET

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1. speckledapple posted on 20 Jul 2012, 03:00 0 0

I use one on my xoom for playstation games on trips. Quite a useful little tool.

2. valapsp posted on 20 Jul 2012, 04:31 0 0

Will Nexus 7 get USB flash drive support via a software update? If I'm not making mistake right now it's possible if rooted. Anyone confirms?
This is the most important factor before buying the Nexus 7 since you don't want to pay $50 more for that extra 8gb. You can easily hook up a flash drive if it supports.

4. Croxy posted on 20 Jul 2012, 09:54 0 0

Just leaving a comment so I can get notified if someone replies to you :D

7. Asasindude26 posted on 01 Aug 2012, 15:00 0 0

Yeah when rooted yes :D But I have a question.... If I root my nexus 7 but don't install any custom ROMS will i recive Android OS updates from Google as I would without rooting? :) Thnx for replies

8. valapsp posted on 01 Aug 2012, 15:15 0 0

I'm not so sure but i think you wont get the OS updates automatically since this doesn't have to do anything with custom ROMs. And this is the main obstacle preventing me from rooting.

3. rd_nest posted on 20 Jul 2012, 05:44 0 0

If anyone has SGS3, just check this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46IiRyigUH0

It's long, but you won't need anything else.

5. borganwa posted on 20 Jul 2012, 12:23 1 0

It works with all 2011 and 2012 Xperia (2011' Xperia needs root to access USB flash drives)

6. shayan posted on 23 Jul 2012, 01:08 0 0

what about galaxy note?

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Samsung Galaxy S4
- Announced: 14 Mar 2013
- OS: Android 4.2.2
- Hardware: Quad core, 1900 MHz, Krait 300, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 5.0 inches, 1080 x 1920 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 13 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: LTE Cat3 Downlink 100 Mbit/s LTE Cat3/4 Uplink 50 Mbit/s HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS
Apple iPhone 5
- Announced: 12 Sep 2012
- OS: iOS
- Hardware: Dual core, 1300 MHz, Apple Swift, 1016 MB RAM
- Display: 4.0 inches, 640 x 1136 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 8 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900), CDMA (800 1700/2100 1900)
- Data: LTE Cat3 Downlink 100 Mbit/s HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS EV-DO Rev.A EV-DO Rev.B
Samsung GALAXY Note II
- Announced: 29 Aug 2012
- OS: Android 4.1.2 4.1.1
- Hardware: Quad core, 1600 MHz, ARM Cortex-A9, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 5.5 inches, 720 x 1280 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 8 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 35 hours of Talk Time, 980 hours of Stand-by
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: LTE Cat3 Downlink 100 Mbit/s LTE Cat3/4 Uplink 50 Mbit/s HSDPA+ (4G) 21.1 Mbit/s HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS
HTC One
- Announced: 19 Feb 2013
- OS: Android 4.1.2
- Hardware: Quad core, 1700 MHz, Krait 300, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 4.7 inches, 1080 x 1920 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 4 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900), CDMA (800 1900)
- Data: LTE HSPA (unspecified) UMTS EDGE GPRS
Sony Xperia Z
- Announced: 07 Jan 2013
- OS: Android 4.1.2
- Hardware: Quad core, 1500 MHz, Krait, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 5.0 inches, 1080 x 1920 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 13.1 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 11 hours of Talk Time, 550 hours of Stand-by
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: LTE Cat3 Downlink 100 Mbit/s LTE Cat3/4 Uplink 50 Mbit/s HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS
Google Nexus 4
- Announced: 29 Oct 2012
- OS: Android 4.2.2 4.2.1 4.2
- Hardware: Quad core, 1500 MHz, Krait, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 4.7 inches, 768 x 1280 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 8 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 15.3 hours of Talk Time, 390 hours of Stand-by
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS
LG Optimus G
- Announced: 28 Aug 2012
- OS: Android 4.1.2 4.0.4
- Hardware: Quad core, 1500 MHz, Krait, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 4.7 inches, 768 x 1280 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 13 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 15 hours of Talk Time, 335 hours of Stand-by
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: LTE HSPA (unspecified) UMTS EDGE GPRS
Nokia Lumia 920
- Announced: 05 Sep 2012
- OS: Windows Phone 8
- Hardware: Dual core, 1500 MHz, Krait, 1024 MB RAM
- Display: 4.5 inches, 768 x 1280 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 8.7 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 17 hours of Talk Time, 400 hours of Stand-by
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: LTE Cat3 Downlink 100 Mbit/s LTE Cat3/4 Uplink 50 Mbit/s HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS

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How to connect a USB accessory to an Android smartphone or tablet

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8 Comments Follow Following

1. speckledapple posted on 20 Jul 2012, 03:00 0 0

2. valapsp posted on 20 Jul 2012, 04:31 0 0

4. Croxy posted on 20 Jul 2012, 09:54 0 0

7. Asasindude26 posted on 01 Aug 2012, 15:00 0 0

8. valapsp posted on 01 Aug 2012, 15:15 0 0

3. rd_nest posted on 20 Jul 2012, 05:44 0 0

5. borganwa posted on 20 Jul 2012, 12:23 1 0

6. shayan posted on 23 Jul 2012, 01:08 0 0

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