[RPM_KW]

I noticed that the Z30 has USB OTG listed in the specs. Is this a hardware thing or OS thing? Any chance we will see it in 10.2 in the Z10?

[Zmain]

I do hope it's OS thing.

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!

[thurask]

It's both. To have USB OTG for a Z10/Q10/Q5, one requires additional hardware (namely, a dock). The Z30 will have USB OTG capability on-device.

And they all require 10.2.

[RPM_KW]

A Dock? Or just an adapter, something like this: Amazon.com : sanoxy Micro USB OTG to USB 2.0 Adapter : Usb Network Adapters : Electronics

The official BB Z10 dock only has HDMI and micro USB port.

[thurask]

A Dock? Or just an adapter, something like this: Amazon.com : sanoxy Micro USB OTG to USB 2.0 Adapter : Usb Network Adapters : Electronics

The official BB Z10 dock only has HDMI and micro USB port.

I don't know the specifics about what hardware is necessary, all I know is that current devices need something extra.

So I don't know if that USB OTG to USB 2.0 adapter will work.

[AnimalPak200]

A while back someone had pointed out the physical differences in the micro USB port when USB OTG capable (to be a host), and when it is not.

If you look at the PlayBook's USB port, it is rectangular and that indicates it can act as a host (but it never received necessary software support), the Z10 has a sort of 'trapezoidal' shaped port that indicates it is not compatible to act as a host.

Anyway, that's the gist of what was posted... not sure if it can be overcome via an adapter and software.

Posted via CB10

[kbz1960]

So you're saying the USB cable is different also or just the port is different but the same cable works to charge both?

[AnimalPak200]

Here is the thread: http://forums.crackberry.com/news-ru...37/index2.html

[The Me]

That's what I'm scared for. On the PlayBook, we could damage the port by inserting it wrong, can't really do that on the Z10. So the Z30 is going to have a fragile US port.

Posted via CB10

[AnimalPak200]

That's what I'm scared for. On the PlayBook, we could damage the port by inserting it wrong, can't really do that on the Z10. So the Z30 is going to have a fragile US port.

Posted via CB10

The different spacing between contact 'tongue' and the upper and lower metal edges make it very difficult to insert it upside down.

Posted via CB10

[OldSkoolVWLover]

That's what I'm scared for. On the PlayBook, we could damage the port by inserting it wrong, can't really do that on the Z10. So the Z30 is going to have a fragile US port.

Posted via CB10

Not sure about all the port shape stuff, but I can tell you that a port shaped like the Z10 can do USB OTG as long as you have a power source for the OTG cable.

[pvphooman]

A Dock? Or just an adapter, something like this: Amazon.com : sanoxy Micro USB OTG to USB 2.0 Adapter : Usb Network Adapters : Electronics

The official BB Z10 dock only has HDMI and micro USB port.

I have a similar adapter. It doesn't work on my Z10 running 10.2.0.1725. (I've tried plugging in a flash drive).

The same adapter works properly on my galaxy tab3 and takes flash drives, USB mice and game pads.

I think a dock with a USB hub and HDMI would be ideal.


- aBBuser on CB10 - .1725 > squircle RIP..

[The Me]

The different spacing between contact 'tongue' and the upper and lower metal edges make it very difficult to insert it upside down.

Posted via CB10

I've read posts about the PlayBook of kids or adults inserting it at night upside down and rendering it useless. I've also seen someone come to charge my PlayBook and almost break it by inserting it upside down.

Not sure about all the port shape stuff, but I can tell you that a port shaped like the Z10 can do USB OTG as long as you have a power source for the OTG cable.

Exactly, so I don't know what's the point of making the port a B (Host) port when it can be the same and just be powered, no?

[FF22]

I've read posts about the PlayBook of kids or adults inserting it at night upside down and rendering it useless. I've also seen someone come to charge my PlayBook and almost break it by inserting it upside down.


Exactly, so I don't know what's the point of making the port a B (Host) port when it can be the same and just be powered, no?

Yup - too many threads on broken or bent connectors inside the Playbook's charging port. The rectangular shape can unfortunately "almost" accommodate an upsidedown micro-usb cable/plug. It is particularly irksome since they never enabled this "misshapen" port for usb-otg!

I have wondered if the Z10 will do it or not, given its micro-usb port. I guess we will find out (or not if they employ pb tactics for the z10!)

[Thunderbuck]

I have a similar adapter. It doesn't work on my Z10 running 10.2.0.1725. (I've tried plugging in a flash drive).

The same adapter works properly on my galaxy tab3 and takes flash drives, USB mice and game pads.

I think a dock with a USB hub and HDMI would be ideal.


- aBBuser on CB10 - .1725 > squircle RIP..

I don't think USB OTG has been implemented in .1725; BB themselves have said it will be in the consumer release.

And about your sig, the Z30 demos at the launch this morning clearly showed the squircle is BACK!

[pvphooman]

And about your sig, the Z30 demos at the launch this morning clearly showed the squircle is BACK!

Great news! Sig updated..

- aBBuser on CB10 - .1725 & awaiting the resurrection of Squircle!

[The Me]

I prefer the black circle than the squircle.

Posted via CB10

[scrapmetal58]

The squircle is so cool.

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[russmov]

Sorry what is the USB otg?
Also come on squircle!

[pvphooman]

Sorry what is the USB otg?
Also come on squircle!

It allows you to use the micro USB as an input. So you can plug a flash drive to your Z10. Or a keyboard, mouse, gamepad, etc..

- aBBuser on CB10

[kbz1960]

Sorry what is the USB otg?
Also come on squircle!

You know what a made up sqircle is but not USB OTG?

[russmov]

You know what a made up sqircle is but not USB OTG?

I never heard of it before , but I have seen and heard of the squircle.
Thanks pvphooman for the response.

[SDM7171]

I accept that the Z10 would need a dock to allow USB OTG (once enabled in the OS). I just wonder whether such a thing will ever exist - by the time that the OS is up to it (middle of next month), the Z10 will no longer be the top-end device, and with the state Blackberry is in, making niche docks for previous models doesn't seem likely to be a sensible use of resources.

This is a shame, as a dock with one (or more) USB ports and an HDMI out would be really useful.

[Richard Buckley]

The docks already exists, but I don't know in what numbers or if they have the hardware. They haven't been marketed, probably because the home screen doesn't support landscape mode. Short sighted.

Posted via CB10

[rngeek]

So a powered USB hub can be connected to the Z10 with an adapter and then the flash drive is plugged into the hub. Is that what you mean @OldSkoolVWLover?