Is there a way to use a keyboard with Smart Phones/Tablets?

[Defect]

Are there any good mech boards that are compatible with say a Galaxy S5?  Or iPad?

Any way to make it work?


Any laptops with integrated mechanical board?  Don't care if its a foot thick.

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

Are there any good mech boards that are compatible with say a Galaxy S5?  Or iPad?

Any way to make it work?


Any laptops with integrated mechanical board?  Don't care if its a foot thick.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=64980.msg1520042;topicseen#msg1520042

As for using a keyboard with a smartphone/tablet, I think all you need is a MicroUSB to USB-A adapter (I'm sure it depends on the device too, wouldn't be that simple for Apple devices).

[esoomenona]

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[Defect]

But I assume not all keyboards would be compatible?  I'm not good at electronics...any way to tell which boards would work?

Are there power draw issues with backlit boards?  Problem with funky controllers like the NKRO available on Choc Minis?

[esoomenona]

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[dorkvader]

But I assume not all keyboards would be compatible?  I'm not good at electronics...any way to tell which boards would work?

Are there power draw issues with backlit boards?  Problem with funky controllers like the NKRO available on Choc Minis?

Any keyboard that is a normal USB HID should work. I've used anything from an IBM 122-key model F to a poker II on my galaxy S3.

I used it for some IRC at work a while ago.

[EvilOliv3]

I have this http://www.amazon.com/eForCity-Adapter-compatible-Samsung-Galaxy/dp/B00871Q5PI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1416276779&sr=8-3&keywords=usb+otg+cable

I just plugged my ducky shine 3 into my galaxy tab pro 8.4. It worked just fine, even the back lights.
I'm surprised you can even change your keyboard layout in android. Dvorak, colemark..etc.

Had the OTG cable for awhile and never even occurred to me to do this. Guess it's kinda neat, ditto.

[heedpantsnow]

There's that BT adapter on massdrop. Pretty cool. Has a USB and a PS2 port, and works with other stuff besides keyboards.

[MGH]

I currently have a cheap OTG cable but I am planning on buying a bluetooth keyboard to use with my phone.

[Puddsy]

If you have an android phone, android has innate support for an external keyboard.

In layman's terms: plug it into the USB port on your phone

[rowdy]

Someone doing it, by the look of it: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=57987.msg1538888#msg1538888

[dorkvader]

In layman's terms: plug it into the USB port on your phone

2 things

1. has to be a USB OTG port (most devices are)
2. have to use a USB OTG cable. A normal microUSB will not work, unless you mod it yourself.

Someone doing it, by the look of it: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=57987.msg1538888#msg1538888

Incoming pic of beamspring plugged into phone

edit: cannot take picture as camera is on phone.
edit2: sometimes solenoid needs to charge a little before firing. Will have to look into this as I suspect it's just a voltage sensitivity threshold issue.

[SonOfSonOfSpock]

There is the Matias One: http://matias.ca/onekeyboard/tactile/

It can swap between USB to your computer and bluetooth to your smart phone / tablet.

[tutuling]

There is the Matias One: http://matias.ca/onekeyboard/tactile/

It can swap between USB to your computer and bluetooth to your smart phone / tablet.

This one has an odd blank space holder for the phone.

[DasHHKBProM]

http://enebrick.cerevo.com/en/

[esoomenona]

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[Jixr]

FOR IPADS:


ipads limit the output power as a power saving featue, so there are 2 ways to get a keyboard to work with an ipad.

Either way you'll need the lightning to USB connection kit.

1. Use a keyboard that has a low power draw, basically, any keyboard that does not have or support backlighting ( PokerX works perfect for this )
plug and play, good to go.

2. For keyboards with bigger power draws, you have to trick the ipad to give you more power, to do this, you need to get a usb hub with at least 4 ports, and chain it in between the lightning to usb cable, and the keyboard. The ipad willl see the open ports and send more power out allowing your keyboard to work.

I write for my website entirely on my ipad with a pokerX, works perfectly.

[JackMills]

Anybody tried this ugly box https://www.massdrop.com/buy/bluetooth-keyboard-adapter?mode=guest_open?

[EvilOliv3]

Anybody tried this ugly box https://www.massdrop.com/buy/bluetooth-keyboard-adapter?mode=guest_open?

was interested, until I saw the price... way too much for what it is IMHO.

[JackMills]

was interested, until I saw the price... way too much for what it is IMHO.

I agree, I had a look at it and it costs are a little high. And it defies the purpose of being wireless, when you have such a box dangling on your keyboard IMO.

[thecampfire]

http://matias.ca/laptoppro/mac/

It's a bluetooth keyboard, so it will work with your Mac, tablet, smartphone.

[tutuling]

was interested, until I saw the price... way too much for what it is IMHO.

I agree, I had a look at it and it costs are a little high. And it defies the purpose of being wireless, when you have such a box dangling on your keyboard IMO.

I think its an awkward solution having a extra piece just like the olden days, you need a extra wifi card for the laptop. now its basically builtin the laptop. I see wireless should be a coming standard in the future for keyboard? maybe 20years? :O

[vivalarevolución]

http://matias.ca/laptoppro/mac/

It's a bluetooth keyboard, so it will work with your Mac, tablet, smartphone.

I was going to say this.  I have one, I like it, but not my fave.

 How the heck would a smartphone have enough juice to power a keyboard plugged into it?  That sounds like a battery sucker.