SlimPORT recommendation + Bluetooth Keyboard

468 views
Skip to first unread message

Abdulafou Kabbani

unread,
Mar 14, 2016, 2:14:50 PM3/14/16
to Maru
Hi there, Greetings..! 

I'm looking for a good SlimPort adapter. The point is that I have a bluetooth keyboard and mouse which are working using an adapter connected to a USB OTG. 

So, is there a possibility to have an adapter than can work as an OTG and HDMI output at the same time?

if not, what is the recommended bluetooth keyboard and mouse to get?

Plus, is this cable anygood?


Julian Ang

unread,
Mar 14, 2016, 10:22:55 PM3/14/16
to Maru

Preetam

unread,
Mar 16, 2016, 9:19:56 PM3/16/16
to Maru
Hi Abdulafou,

SlimPort and USB OTG

I just got my micro-USB to USB OTG adapter (amazon) for testing SlimPort and OTG. I tried connecting the OTG adapter to the power port from my SlimPort cable and plugging in a flash drive and USB keyboard.

I can confirm that OTG will NOT WORK while SlimPort is enabled.

If you are interested in the technical details, see this white paper by Analogix on SlimPort. You can see that the USB data and ID pins are used by the SlimPort transmitter so you are either in SlimPort mode or USB mode.

Recommended bluetooth devices

See http://maruos.com/#/hardware for a list of officially tested hardware, including both SlimPort cables and bluetooth keyboard/mice. Any Android-compatible bluetooth devices should work.

I don't know about the cable you linked to, but try to make sure that your cable lists that it supports Nexus 5. You can probably contact their customer support and ask.


@Julian: thanks for sharing another SlimPort cable option!

Hal

unread,
Mar 21, 2016, 11:26:22 PM3/21/16
to Maru
Just in case it might be helpful for others, I have Maru working well with an Apple Magic Mouse and a Logitech K811 Mac Bluetooth keyboard. It should also work with Apple brand bluetooth keyboards as well. The only thing I need to get used to is using CTRL instead of CMD for shortcuts.

Peter Cheung

unread,
Mar 21, 2016, 11:54:45 PM3/21/16
to Maru
Hi Hal is your Apple Magic Mouse the 1st revision of the current Magic Mouse 2? I can't get Magic Mouse 2 to pair with Maru.

chev droid

unread,
Mar 22, 2016, 3:29:30 PM3/22/16
to Maru

Hal

unread,
Mar 26, 2016, 6:04:58 AM3/26/16
to Maru
Nope, it is the original magic mouse.

Litu Lint

unread,
Sep 19, 2016, 4:12:05 AM9/19/16
to mar...@googlegroups.com
Just bought an old nexus 5 just to use Maru - nice idea, I like this project
1.) Question: Now I have the same question and stumbled over that stackexchange question (about using an simport/hdmi/cardreader-adapter: https://amzn.com/B016GXVU5S <- this is generally available, not just for nexus7http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/310645/does-maru-os-on-nexus-5-work-with-slimport-adapter - I had the same question as the threadstartet there, but reading this thread here I think this adapter would be impossible to (or is this just an MHL-adapter with a "slimport"-branding?) ?!

2.) Question:
How do you attach hdmi AND an external sdcard or other storage? Is it somehow possible? Or do I have to buy a wifi-storage or something like it. (imo it will be possible when wifi-screensharing will be integrated?)

I would like to attach HDMI + Charger + external storage (I could buy a NAS or wifi storage) + keyboard with integrated mouse(*)

*now I use a thinkpad USB-keyboard with trackpoint. I could buy a thinkpad bluetooth-kb with trackpoint, but its about 70$ (or 80euro) - because I like to carry just one Device

3.) Question: ... so do I have to expect problems by using a bluetooth keyboard/trackPAD (combined) device?
Attaching my thinkpad+trackPOINT USB kb via USB OTG I can use it perfectly! Would the bluetooth-version of that keyboard be different?

Thank you verry much in advance

Franco Peschiera

unread,
Sep 19, 2016, 6:32:09 PM9/19/16
to Maru OS
To answer to #3:

I've been using this Bluetooth keyboard + TouchPad. I bought it for 17€ on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.es/gp/aw/d/B014CEQI7S/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It works fine with maru OS, both the keys and TouchPad. It continues to work fine when I added a Bluetooth mouse.

There are some minor inconveniences like
having to press the function key to have access to the "F4" key or the "esc" key.

On the other hand, it is really portable and I find it comfortable to write in it.

Preetam

unread,
Sep 19, 2016, 8:07:00 PM9/19/16
to Maru OS
Hi Litu,

Thanks for trying out Maru OS!

1. I can't speak about that particular adapter because I haven't tried it, but it would be wise to ask the manufacturer if this really is SlimPort capable and if it will work on the Nexus 5. Also, thanks for bringing up that stackexchange question, I'll help answer it.

2. You can charge your device simultaneously while SlimPort is active as long as your adapter supports it (see this FAQ). However, it is not possible to simultaneously be in SlimPort/charging mode AND use USB external storage (via USB-OTG). SlimPort and USB-OTG can't be active at the same time due to the way SlimPort works. If you're curious why, refer to this post for more details. In short, the USB data pins are used up by SlimPort when it is active, so you are in either SlimPort mode or USB-OTG mode.

Once Maru OS works with other streaming technologies, for example wireless ones like you suggested, you should be able to get around this and use USB-OTG at the same time you interact with the desktop.

3. As Franco has said, BT keyboard/trackpad combined devices should work just fine as long as they are explicitly listed as Android compatible. (Thanks for confirming, @Franco!)

Best,
Preetam

Litu Lint

unread,
Sep 20, 2016, 2:04:34 AM9/20/16
to Maru OS
Thank you @Franco, for directly confirming!

Thank you Preetam for your Answers. Yeah, I read about that whitepaper, it shouldn't be possible and thats why I am confused. This item is on Gearbest, too - (http://www.gearbest.com/cables-adapter/pp_186712.html) with Q/A about it, that it is really slimport. But I asked again.
For 13$ I could try it if its possible to ship to germany... oh, its out of stock there :/
Thanks for confirming, that wireless streaming is coming. Thats so great (and could really beat up convergence and continuum ^^).

Litu Lint

unread,
Sep 27, 2016, 8:20:34 AM9/27/16
to Maru OS
My Conclusion:
1) I didnt try the above mentioned 5in1-Hub, because I read here (https://www.amazon.com/COOMAX-Slimport-Adapter-Reader-Support/dp/B00X489W6S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474977189&sr=8-1&keywords=Slimport+to+Hdmi+HDTV+Adapter+and+OTG+Card+Reader) in the comments, that you can use this device, but EITHER input OR OUTPUT. It could be convenient though! (But, ordering from germany, I didnt want to spend 20$ for testing a "china-gadget") so...
2) I ordered this one: https://www.amazon.co.uk/KanaaN-Slimport-Adapter-Chromebook-Smartphones/dp/B00JEB2SX8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474977745&sr=8-1&keywords=leicke+hdmi+slimport (from german amazon) and it Works well. It is nice, because it has female slimport and hdmi port, so you can use existing cables. 
3) and a thinkpad bluetooth keyboard with TOUCHpoint (too bad it has no trackpoint): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lenovo-Bluetooth-Keyboard-ThinkPad-Tablet/dp/B00B4PEY3O/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1474977986&sr=8-15 
I was lucky and got a refurbished one for ~30$ and its great (if you get around the bad documentation for pairing this device.)

Questions:
a) If you have startet Debian and unplugged the cable, the BT-Keyboard cant be used with android, am I right? Would be nice if you could switch between android and debian (e.g. starting debian in the background and then ssh into it and using the BT keyboard) - or did I miss something?
b) maybe you can make a sticky from this site with "unofficial supported devices (tested by users)" in addition to the "official supported device list" in the FAQ

(btw - Maru is really really great! And I like, that you stayed away from integrating Goo... and its services... so everyone is free to use it or not. Thanks so much)

Preetam

unread,
Sep 27, 2016, 1:10:05 PM9/27/16
to Maru OS
Hi Litu,

Thanks for getting back and filling us in on what hardware worked for you!

a) That is correct--right now BT keyboard and mouse can only be used with the desktop. There is an issue filed for this: https://github.com/maruos/maruos/issues/12

b) Good idea! I have added one: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/maru-os/KucsM6gVUL4. Let me know if I missed anything.

Thanks for the kind words on Maru! I thought it would be cool if Maru didn't force you to use proprietary services, so it only comes with the bare essential software to have a functional device. After installing Maru, all the software on your device--except some hardware drivers--is open-source, so you can be confident in your privacy. Whether you use Google services or not, and the degree of integration, is up to you!

Best,
Preetam

Joaquín Terrasa

unread,
Dec 27, 2017, 8:12:19 AM12/27/17
to Maru OS
Hey there! I am just wondering, would it be possible to use an HDMI output and USB input at the same time? I found some docks, as this one by Samsung or this one on Amazon which allows for power supply, HDMI output and USB inputs. Maybe not with an USB OTG, but with multi I/O docks there is a way to go. Do you think they use Slimport?

Chituc Georgian

unread,
Dec 29, 2017, 10:39:42 PM12/29/17
to Maru OS
I'm using a HTC 10 phone and a MS HD 500 dock .
I can get hdmi out from MS HD 500 dock , and I can also insert normal usb and mouse into it , and also charge the phone in same time .
So all is resolved if you have this .
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages