yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Maturola:
I'm not sure if you had read the thread, but the device on the indiegogo.com project is going to be about 1/3 of size of that.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] garreh:
That is really cool. How on earth did I not come across anything like that? I've been looking for any kind of flash storage with Micro USB connection but couldn't find anything. Anyhow while that's interesting, like Maturola says the adapter is going to be much smaller than that. I'd say under half that size, maybe even less. Also it's sd-card based so is more... adapt-able ;)
[Nexus 7 Accessories] DieH@rd:
I hope that you will be to make this small microusb>microsd adapter but im aiming at something much more smaller - pure microusb 32gb drive with ultra small design

alibaba dot com /product-gs/617194179/32gb_micro_usb_flash_drive.html[/url]
[Nexus 7 Accessories] garreh:
Well the only way your going to make a "pure" microusb drive as small as possible is if you solder directly onto the microsd card, as I posted a few pictures back. Personally I'd rather have a bigger adapter/device that doesn't mean potentially ruining a microsd card. Also have the possibility of swapping out microSD cards.

Anyway the link you posted is for USB (type A) and it's not even small. Look at this -- that's for 8GB but you can get up to 32GB in that size.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] iElvis:
I posted in the One XL forum--we've recently gotten OTG kernels.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Maturola:
Thank you sir, for the support.

I updated the video and some images with a better representation of the Final size of the device, working on updating the description with some FAQs.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] hikaricloud:
Just got done reading through this whole thread, and I'm pretty stoked about this project as well. I've been in the market for a tablet, and I'm going with the Nexus 7 in the near future, so I'd be very interested in this adapter. Once I get my finances in order (ie: make sure bills are all paid and budget, lol) I'll see about donating.

I'll be honest, I'm mostly a noob when it comes to Android stuff so far, I've been pretty much exclusive to the iPhone dev scene for the past few years, so I'm looking to branch out with the Nexus 7. Keep up the good work, I'll be following this for sure.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Maturola:
Thanks :), We cannot make it happen without your support, and that is not only monetary, spreading out the word is almost as important, make sure your friends and Family know about it, everyone on your network (twitter, Facebook) and on any forum or newsgroup you are part of. we will be running for 25 more days, so you can come back anytime once those bills are paid :fingers-crossed:
[Nexus 7 Accessories] hikaricloud:
I'm going to be posting this project over at my main forum, tech-forums.net...we have a medium sized user base, and a core group of posters who would most likely be interested in this project (loads of Android owners/modders). The core group is a bit on the small side, but every little bit counts the way I see it. ;)
[Nexus 7 Accessories] jnewman1991:
I'm getting a Nexus 4 and this would be awesome. I don't know if it's been mentioned or not, but this would be great if it was able to be attached to a key ring once everything is said and done.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Maturola:
Absolutely, i'll make sure it is more clear on the campaign page.

I had it on the FAQs
[Nexus 7 Accessories] hikaricloud:
It was mentioned a couple pages back, actually:

Ack, ninja'd! I really need to start refreshing threads before I post when I'm at work, sigh.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] :
Interesting.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] phonedroid:
I liked this project. I'd be happy to get on if it doesn't stick out of the tablet like seen in the prototype. It should be made flexible right after the micro USB connector, so that the actual micro sd card with its reader board can be attached to the rear of the tablet.

Most of the time, we keep the tablet in our hand, while lying down in bed or a chair, holding our hands on the two shorter sides of it, one having the micro USB port. So if this device is going to stick out, no matter how small it is, is going to affect its usability.

Having a flexible connector will also help the users of it to get out of the paranoia of breaking this device on the slightest hit it receives while connected to the tablet.

EDIT: The whole device can also be made in the form of a clip that can hook on to most of the tablets and phones. I am just talking about the aesthetics, and I'm not aware of the technical challenges such a design could face.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] hello_world.c:
Have to agree with phonedroid here. If it sticks out, it sticks out and the benefit against a cheap USB OTG adapter plus separate mini/micro SDcard reader is diminished, because having a solution that only sticks out slightly less is not worth all the effort IMHO.

It should wrap around to the back, preferably with a rigid structure but I can see that this may not work well with all devices. If not, a flexible solution or one where it can be mounted two ways may indeed be the way to go.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] swieder711:
Read thru this thread and am excited to see the final product. I will buy one.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Maturola:
Thanks for the feedback, while making a flexible adapter is on the roadmap, it is not the priority for first release, that required a lot of mechanical testing and the casing is very complicated. The idea of the adapter is that you can now swap MicroSd easily, you don't necessary have to have the adapter plugin all the time, you want to watch a movie, you can copy to internal memory and play it, then erase it when done. That way the adapter is only plug when copying.

Also, personally (and please...this is my own very personal opinion), I hate the tail of the OTG cable, maybe I am OCD about how it looks but I personally really hate it, hanging in there flapping around.

We need your support to make it happen in order to reach that final product, every little bit counts.

Thanks
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Capt.PP:
@Maturola

From your design, can't you mount the micro USB on top of the shell of (micro SD inside) which the micro USB now facing 6 o'clock when lay horizontally like in the picture? It would cut down 6mm. The outcome would be thicker but it's well worth it (not thicker than the device itself).
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Maturola:
If i understand correctly, the answer is no, the MicroUSB connector is a edge mounted, also the micro USB always need to stick out a little bit so it will fit on devices with a case.

I mentioned before, some of the resistors and caps currently located between the socket and the Plug can be relocated to te bottom, shaving about 0.2inches more of the overall size, but that's about it.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] nerys71:
If the price is right I will buy 10 but it has to be like this.

the problem with all these adapters is they fail for the same reason. THAT PLUG IS THE ONLY INTERFACE YOU HAVE TO THE DEVICE.

the idea of having something stick out even 2 inches from the device is simply "SCREAMING" break me in a serious way. I am drawing up what I want to see.

the idea would be you use a micro usb plug that "BARELY" protrudes from the device when inserted (less than 1mm)

you would place a shallow "dome" over top of this (the plastic housing) that would smoothly join the sides of the device.

an "S" shaped FLAT durable ribbon cable would come out of this going DOWN (screen up) around to the BACK of the device.

you would use an S shape so you could "stretch" it a bit to "UNPLUG" the adapter (so you can charge) OR integrate a charging point into the adapter itself on the backside.

on the backside SIZE is not important save one dimension. FLAT. as flat as humanely possibly. I would like to see a mSD slot a Micro USB charging port and a full size USB port. these ports would face IN toward the center of the machine.

this "construct" would use some 3M tape to semi permanently affix to the back of the machine (this is why you need that S bend)

another fabricated "cover" of a shallow as possible DOME would go over this entire construct so the only "sharp" edges are those with the slots for the ports and card.

the whole point of all this is to insure nothing can "catch" on this plug and damage the built in plug of your device. and to make it "feel" good in your hands. I will come up with a better drawing later but THIS is what I want.

this would work on phones or tablets the same way.

why do I want this? I want a Galaxy 10 but its literally a USELESS device to me wit 16gb of memory (usable around 11-12 if typical)

what am I going to do? put 2 movies on the damned thing? kidding right? its LAUGHABLE to release such a device with only 16gb of memory (I sure as heck am not paying $100 for another 16gb when I can buy a 64gb card for $40) and 32gb is STILL not enough.

even 16gb and 64gb is going to be "tight" for my usage. (game roms mp3's podcasts and video) heck my PODCAST folder is 9-12gig on average !!

don't even talk to me about the stupidity of "cloud" storage. the ONLY time "CLOUD" is anything but effective VAPOR is when your near wifi (and GOOD wifi) and if I am near wifi 99% of the time I have my laptop and NO need for a device like this.

the whole "POINT" of something like the nexus 10 to me is when I am "NOT" conveniently near the rest of my hardware IE MOBILE. which means I will also NOT have convenient access to anything "cloud"

I would love to get close enough to the decision maker who decided it was a good idea to leave out a mSD slot and give him one on the back of the head courtesy of Gibbs. damned proby's.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Maturola:
The idea you describe is great, but such a thong required lot of testing and mechanical development, that we are planning on doing if we can get of the ground and get the first device funded.

Secondly, most people picture the device connected all the time, and that is not the intended design, the fact that you can have it on your keychain and carry multiples MicroSD card, mean that you don't need to have anything on your internal memory, so when you want to watch/read or work on something you can plug the device, copy it to the internal memory and unplug the Adapter. When you are done you can copied back tp the microSD or just erased (if it is a movie or something like that).

Also the adapter is less than a inch long.

for those that still think the device is too large and it can break, the OTG cable is the way to go, that way youcan bended it anywhere you want, personally I hate it, but it comes down to personal preferences.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] nerys71:
the only useful design is connected all the time. there are already nearly as small as what you propose designed for plug and play and remove. there is no need to design that.

an inch long is WAY to long. do the seat of your pants math on the force multiplier if you were to TWEAK that inch long thing while its plugged in. the OTG cable has the exact same problem. it sticks out an inch. the leverage will DESTROY the socket over time. (that is the typical failure point of these devices if you manage to not crack the screen. TWEAK the socket till its unusable. I want this think to stick "out" from the device no more than the thickness of the wires and the shell covering them. IE 2mm or so.

I can't copy anything to internal memory these devices HAVE NO internal memory (16gb is no internal memory in my book that is program space) that's the whole PROBLEM with these devices.

we need semi permanent attached storage so we can actually HAVE memory on these devices.

I am "NOT" worried about breaking the adapter. its $1.92 shipped its nothing to me.

I "AM" however worried about breaking the "SOCKET" on the $400 gizmo :)
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Maturola:
You must had misunderstood what I ment. The micro USB plug on your charger is protected by a square pastic, that is about 0.8 inches (on the stock Nexus 7 device) are you afraid to break your device with the stock USB cable? having the adapter connected would be very similar without the cable on it (and a bit larger width aprox 0.5in)

Can you please point me to the direction to those devices already exiting that are less than 1 inch long (or close to an 1inch)? Comparing to already exiting devices is a great way to improve a design

Thanks :good:
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Capt.PP:
What I meant was like this but I guess someone have already made it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shf0XUCuhAg

The device in the video above once plugged in is really less than 1 inch.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] nerys71:
YES I am afraid to break the device with the stock cable. its my most serious concern with these devices since its the second most common failure point next to dropping it.

I did not say less than 1 inch. you did so you go find it :) I said device that can go on your keychain and plug in for a temporary transfer exist already for $1.92 (amazon 86 free shipping so its less I thought it was also 86 cents shipping) than add in one of those usb mSD readers and you got something 2 inches long that costs $4

TWEAK your device and TWEAK a 2 inch long device and your socket is just as broken. its only a matter of time (unless you really only need a temporary connection and then there is no reason to make one an inch long just use the 86cent one that already exists.

in fact this is one of the reasons I use THICK hybrid cases to protect from the #1 killer dropping AND I buy amazon kindle USB cables because they are a "tight fit" in the hole in the hybrid case meaning the CASE ITSELF takes the "stress" if you "tweak" the cable a little. instead of the socket taking the stress.

alas these case do not exist for the tablets :)

Here is a picture detailing better what I mean

Here is a video where I try to describe the how and why. (its taking a while to "process" :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qxIX__H35I
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Maturola:
Not really sure why the need to be so aggressive, you said "there are already nearly as small as what you propose designed for plug and play" if they are not less than an 1in, then they are not " nearly as small" , however if you take a few minutes to read the thread you can see that I had answer the question several times, even if we do all you describe on your drawings, there would be a block of about 0.8 inches around that micro USB plug, this is not because google or Asus engineer (or myself) want to annoy people out of the blue, the micro USB plug was design to be cable mounted, that almost inch of surface need to be there for mechanical reason, for the same reason you are so afraid of, breaking!, without that mass the plug will just break.

So even if the design is "Bendable" like you describe you would still have almost an inch of plastic sticking out of the device, defeating the whole purpose of having it bend.

Not to mentioned signal integrity, those signal need to handel up to 900mA of current and 5 Amps if it is a charging device.

The way to do it is to design a new plug that can make contact with the Micro USB female but that is made of rigid-flex and nota ridget connector, and that can be bend at the connector, and not at the neck. that is not an easy task and require a lot of engineering hours and multiple prototypes.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] nerys71:
I tend to be strong worded no aggression intended. and alas language issue here. NEARLY as small would cover anything ~2 inches and less in my book (that is why I said NEARLY as small and not AS SMALL)

point remains. such a device can't be "left in" as the risk of damage is too great. 5amps is silly the highest power charger I can find is 2.1amps and the device usually won't draw that much in most cases.

and amps are relative 2 amps at 5v is a LOT less than 2amps at 110v. WATTS is what you need to use.

do the math. VxA=W

so 2 amps at 5v is 10watts while 2 amps at 110v is 220 watts. BIG difference.

10watts is nothing. the skinnest wire you can feasibly use for this project can handle far more than 10watts. power is NEVER the issue at this scale. "physical integrity" ie how much physical manipulation by our fingers can it handle IS critical.

there is no signal integrity. this is not analog. its digital. 1's and 0's your signal integrity is always 100% or 0% there is no in-between.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Maturola:
again, your numbers are perfect but out of prospective, even when those may be the cases, we cannot design to that we need to design to the USB specification and also comply with the FCC requirement. 10 Watts is a lot contrary to what you said, and again, you cannot use the just the bare minimum, electronics are design to windstand worst cases scenarios. I cannot rewrite the specs of the USB connector. all i can do is make is as small as it can possible be.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] nerys71:
I still don't understand why your stuck on the power. you can use wire that will handle 50 watts no problem with the design I showed. did you notice how "tiny" the traces are on the usb connector and realize they are taking the same power load.

10watts is not the minimum. its the theoretical MAX.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Maturola:
No matter how much I try i cannot seen to be clear on why it is not as easy as you are trying to picture it, just starting to the fact that you cannot just "cut" the USB plug, those are off the shelf part already design like that, and no matter what you do, you if you are using a microUSB plug you are going to have at least 0.8 of plastic sticking out. The only way to do that is with a custom connector and that is not easy thing to do. I'm not stuck in the power, i am stuck on signal integrity, the length and width of the power trace on a FR4 board are different from one on the rigid-fles that is going to be bend over and over. You can use wires, but then again, the wires are terminate either on the connector or on a mini PCB making that 0.8 plastic that you see on all MicroUSB cables.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] kickofthecat:
Interesting thread. I personally don't have a micro otg usb port, but I did notice an interesting little card reader here:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-Clear-Blue-Mini-micro-USB-2-0-M2-Micro-SD-TF-MS-T-Flash-Card-Reader-Blue-/110963057230?pt=US_Memory_Card_Readers_Adapters&hash=item19d5e9e24e

I may just get one of the regular sized usb otg micro sd card readers, but for some serious portable mass storage, I think I may go with one of these:

http://computershopper.com/storage/reviews/patriot-gauntlet-node#product-review

I'll still be watching the progress here, just in case I trade up my phone.

k.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] nerys71:
well of course it would have to be a custom connector. I never doubted that. :)

again there should be no signal integrity issues. its digital. 100% OR 0% there is no inbetween.

my primary issue is if your not going to go low profile (.8 inches is not low profile) then you might as well use off the shelf stuff.

combine this

Found it for $2

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Micro-USB-t..._USB_Cables_Hubs_Adapters&hash=item256f47e282

with this $4

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Micro-SD-SD...ory_Card_Readers_Adapters&hash=item2eb4a55fc1

strip the case from both and heat shrink it and you have your adapter just a wee bit longer (under 2 inches)

$6 shipped for both I found an 86 cent shipped otg unit but I can't find it now.

either way for under $6 off the shelf you can get what you want to build. as you said your not LEAVING it plugged in so being tiny is not as critical once you get to such a small size anyway.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Maturola:
=) I'm sorry but that is not correct, not even close. USB is a differential pair, very sensitive to skew, delay, impedance matching and much more. Not as simple as you want to picture it, this is not a hobbie for me, I design and manufacture electronics and telecommunication devices for a living.

And I am sorry but those devices for $10. do not get even close to what I am building, I respect your opinion, and I understand you don't see the point, and that is fine, my design is simple no for you, but the size, speed and reliability of that comparison are not even close, there is not point for me to get into any more details, there is nothing i would say that would share some light on the matter.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] nerys71:
you may have a lot of technical knowledge but that does not always translate precisely to practical results.

any "speed" difference will be invisible because your device can't come close to maxing the max speed of the card in use anyway.

these are not devices. they are just adapters (mSD is nearly pinout usb compatible ie does not take much to go from usb to mSD)

I made my point. you can buy $6 in off the shelf parts and make a device that will do what you want at under 2 inches long.

but that won't help those of us who want some storage in these insanely cool but "crippled" for lack of space devices coming out (namely nexus devices)

thats all I am saying. I thought you were getting parts MADE custom anyway. did not realize you were sticking to ready made bin parts.

I still say there are no signal issues that are relevant to what is to be accomplished by this. please show me resources that would indicate otherwise?

I just ordered a dozen micro usb plugs for $5. I am going to see if I can cut one in half and keep it functional. (I have 12 shots to do it :) hehe

I DO hope your project gets off the ground. I am still amazed no one has made something like this (though it kind of makes sense I have more fingers than devices that support OTG sprint even intentionally removes it from the S2 the creeps :) hehe

I might even buy one.

I just wish it could be smaller.

OH btw I LOVE your little 10 SD card holder. !! very neat. you should sell those separate or put up an STL on thingaverse.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] garreh:
Let us know how it goes. Personally I'd love a professionally designed and FCC approved adapter than a cut-and-butcher-shrink-wrap job, but I'm intrigued to see how it goes nonetheless. ;)

That said, I believe the project will not receive all the funds it needs, and even if it does, the adapter will be pretty expensive at first. So in that case I'd like to attempt make a tiny homemade microSD to microUSB adapter with some instructions, even if it is 0.5 inches bigger or so. As for the electrical reliability, safety etc, well of course there is always a risk, it's personal choice whether you want to take the risk or not. Though we have an expert in our midst so maybe a bit of visual consultation with professional whether the device looks safe to use for the long term or not is better than nothing ;) (or send a copy of the adapter to Maturola if you'd be willing to test/inspect?)
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Troute:
He's not wrong.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] garreh:
Cheaper, but definitely not smaller for application like this. And I don't think more flexible. Can you put the USB pen drive inside a phone?
[Nexus 7 Accessories] smirkis:
i saw this adapter on another website and just ordered one. it's not listed on fleabay as a "otg" adapter but the person that posted it said it worked fine.

i'll let you guys know how it works out when i get it. i like this one a lot so far, i have like 10 otg cables of different lengths and angles but a long cable dangling off is just not practical. i don't even know why i care about this anymore as i have the 32gb model but you can never have to much space lol
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Coolsaber57:
Just put in my support for the project, can't wait!
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Aleemz:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2267731

Thanks

Edit: Just realised, I have a couple of these on order already from ebay.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Capt.PP:
I haven't seen anything as small as this in the market. Check it out at 0:47, the problem is I can't find anywhere to buy it. All we know is it came from from a small shop in Japan.

I'm going to make my own base on this L design. Once plugged in it's not larger than a penny (in width) like in the video.
[Nexus 7 Accessories] Maturola:
Thank you for your support, we are having an incredible international response, meeting with someone soon that is interested on matching about 20% of the funds :victory: