|
How difficult would it be to make an app that turns a old or current android phone into an extension number pad keyboard for laptops or PCs? I figured that people have their old android phones just lying around n could also be able to use it to have macro programmed button mini keyboard. So, basically take the old phone and use the micro USB to plug in and have a num pad for laptops, or even a mini macro keyboard.
Any possibility of something like that working, or does that already exist? I don't know, for some reason I think that's a pretty good app idea... Any feedback, thoughts, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Even just kind of setting me in the right direction would be most appreciated. To be honest I don't even know what type of code I would need to be using to create something like this.
And just some background; I'm new to programming. I'm learning quickly on my own (I'm learning on codeacadamy and am hoping to get into some community college classes) and with help, but I'm getting basics down quick (most I've learned has been in Java for game development but I'll learn anything I need to). I really want to progress and want to get into app development along side game design which is what I go to school for.
Also I don't know, if someone with knowledge would want or be willing to help with a project like this I'd definitely be open to working with people (anyone with some experience or knowledge they'd be willing to share and teach) and helping or sharing ideas. I have a lot of app ideas but not a lot of knowledge on how to make them all work or function.
Please help me out. It may sound dumb, but I'm an artist, I'm a creative thinker and am always coming up with little tid bits of app ideas but I never really know where to go with them but I'm hoping this one goes somewhere and that someone reading this would be willing to help me in the process. Truly, any info you could provide would help me, even if it's just telling me what kind of phones might work best for this. I need help on this and I hope you may give me the time and help to make this happen. If you're someone who's willing to help me and have some patience I have other ideas that I'd like to make happen to and I'd love to share those as well and get your input. Thank you for taking the time to read this and make a consideration to help me. I know I have potential, I just need help and direction.
Thanks,
Nick. aka infamous X187Xx
modified 21-Jan-15 12:28pm.
|
|
|
|
|
Paragraphs are actually good things... Cause that's a really big block of text that I'm not awake enough to read.
|
|
|
|
|
This idea requires more effort than needed. Regardless of the goal or merit of it, I think it will require the following:
1. An application specific to the phone devise so that it relays the keyboard actions to the PC, connected through USB.
2. An application running on the PC, listening to the actions from the USB and sending them to the OS.
Push Framework - now released !
http://www.pushframework.com
|
|
|
|
|
I edited your message to:
a) put some paragraphs in there
b) remove the annoying text speak bits - it's and, not n, and be, not b
Please check my edit to make sure it still reflects what you wanted to say.
|
|
|
|
|
The problem with that is that I read through his post (after your edit, and before reading your post) and thought to myself "self... at least this kid is using correct spelling, grammar and paragraphs!!"  
|
|
|
|
|
Pete O'Hanlon wrote: Please check my edit to make sure it still reflects what you wanted to say.
I was wondering why I was feeling a disturbance in the force. What I was reading was in such good English, it didn't match with what I was expecting to be reading.
Marc
|
|
|
|
|
People hate having to transition between using a keyboard and reaching for the mouse (and vice-versa). Having to reach for a third device sitting on your desk is going to be impractical, I would imagine. Not to mention actually having to pick it up to hold it steady, unless you're only going to type a very short sequence of numbers.
Not to mention the fact that you're also going to have yet another wire running across your desk.
|
|
|
|
|
dandy72 wrote: People hate having to transition between using a keyboard and reaching for the mouse (and vice-versa).
True - but generally a fact of life
dandy72 wrote: Having to reach for a third device sitting on your desk is going to be impractical,
I disagree - especially as, with a bit of thought, it could be used in place of the mouse (i.e. as a touchpad)
I use teh numeric keypad often on my regular keyboard and HATE using keyboards without one (e.g. laptop keyboards and Mac wireless keyboards)
dandy72 wrote: Not to mention the fact that you're also going to have yet another wire running across your desk.
There's this new-fangled thing called BlueTooth that's just been invented. Oh and also there's now wireless networking!
Sorry for the sarcasm but I felt your post was unnecessarily negative for someone asking for our help!
PooperPig - Coming Soon
|
|
|
|
|
_Maxxx_ wrote: I disagree - especially as, with a bit of thought, it could be used in place of the mouse (i.e. as a touchpad)
I have a vision of grandma moving her phone around her desk and wondering why the pointer on the screen isn't moving...
_Maxxx_ wrote: There's this new-fangled thing called BlueTooth that's just been invented. Oh and also there's now wireless networking!
My thought process is that given the battery life of the typical phone, I'd think you'd rather leave it plugged in all the time (hence the extra cable that's basically necessary to have). Especially when the original poster was thinking about making use of older phones past their useful life, and (presumably, given the age) with batteries that no longer keep a charge for very long.
_Maxxx_ wrote: Sorry for the sarcasm but I felt your post was unnecessarily negative for someone asking for our help!
Not at all. I'd rather give a newcomer something to think about upfront, rather than have him go through the effort, only to realize that in the end, it's really only going to be marginally useful. Been there, done that, spent hours coding, and then finding out I'm only going to use the program once or twice.
But then again, maybe his project is about learning how to do it, and not strictly about getting it finalized. In that case, more power to him.
|
|
|
|
|
I grew up with keyboards without num-pad on the right side, so for me it is useless (as I do not use the existing num-pad)...
Skipper: We'll fix it.
Alex: Fix it? How you gonna fix this?
Skipper: Grit, spit and a whole lotta duct tape.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I believe you may have reversed the exchange rate.
But it doesn't really change your point.
|
|
|
|
|
I did indeed...
My fault, I bought something on FleaBay and it arrived today - a heck of a lot more than I thought I was buying and that confused my sense of money. 
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
|
|
|
|
|
Can I interest you in buying some US dollar bills?
I'm retired. There's a nap for that...
- Harvey
|
|
|
|
|
Ok,
This is me talking. Answer: not very easy.
And if you and I were to team up, I'd need to throw a lot of philospophy at you. Stuff like, "you be on the opposite team" or "I pick (the other guy), someone has to sit out".
And I'd have to ask this one question. And get ann actual answer. Is it all right with you guys if I remain on skins because I'm really buff?
|
|
|
|
|
Provided you don't leave the house, and turn the webcam off.
Please, please turn the webcam off... 
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
|
|
|
|
|
I was actually looking for something like this a few months ago. This is not something that I would put on my pc, but I could use my phone as a mouse for my tablet.
I have a Lenovo Win 8 tablet and was looking for a keyboard, most didn't have the mouse or trackpad. Sometimes my finger just isn't small enough, and I haven't been able to find a finger sharpener. Since I always have my phone with me I figured I could use it as the mouse for the tablet.
As it turns out I got a Lenovo keyboard with track button(?) so I don't need it.
So while I wouldn't use it on a pc, I certainly can see using it with a tablet.
Jack of all trades, master of none, though often times better than master of one.
|
|
|
|
|
That's actually not a bad idea: the phone has inertial sensors, and you could use the screen as buttons, then connect via bluetooth.
If you can do gesture recognition with your phone, then you could use it as a mouse.
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay...
|
|
|
|
|
It is already out-there - go and Google for it...
Skipper: We'll fix it.
Alex: Fix it? How you gonna fix this?
Skipper: Grit, spit and a whole lotta duct tape.
|
|
|
|
|
Member 11392066 wrote: How difficult would it be to make an app that turns a old or current android phone into an extension number pad keyboard for laptops or PCs?
How long is a piece of string? It's not that difficult if you can write Android apps well and can write PC (or Mac) applications to handle sending keystrokes to the OS
If you can't do that then it's hard!
Member 11392066 wrote: So, basically take the old phone and use the micro USB to plug in
I'd be more adventurous and look at using WiFi or BlueTooth
Member 11392066 wrote: does that already exist?
There are apps that do something similar - but that doesn't stop you writing a different / better one!
There is one for the iPhone, for example, that allows you to use the accelerometer in your phone - so you can run an app on the Mac and access the accelerometer data - very useful when developing phone apps!
Member 11392066 wrote: Please help me out.
My 2c
Having a goal is the best way to learn software development! It gives you direction for your learning.
Why not try. Start off with writing an Android app with a button and working out how you can detect that button being pressed on a PC (connected by USB or wi-fi or Bluetooth - or all three!)
Then work out how to make the PC app send a key to the OS when it detects that press.
For a simple numeric keypad, the rest is just coding!
But you could see if you could add mouse emulation, accelerometer info - and anything else you can think of.
Breaking it up into simple steps (make it look pretty last!) you can then ask specific questions of people when you get stuck & can't find an answer out there.
A quick search found me this[^] link which may help you get started.
Good luck!
And when you get it done, write an article here on how you did it!
PooperPig - Coming Soon
|
|
|
|
|
Hi everyone. It's me in my old clothes. They feel nice. Just thought I'd formally say hi now. 
There have been joys too great to be described in words, and there have been griefs upon which I have not dared to dwell, and with these in mind I say, climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are naught without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste, look well to each step, and from the beginning think what may be the end. - Edward Whymper
Climb On!
|
|
|
|
|
Hopefully, you can fit in your old clothes, 
The sh*t I complain about
It's like there ain't a cloud in the sky and it's raining out - Eminem
~! Firewall !~
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome back! 
The difficult we do right away...
...the impossible takes slightly longer.
|
|
|
|
|
So, where have you been?
- I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code.
|
|
|
|
General 
News 
Suggestion 
Question 
Bug 
Answer 
Joke 
Praise 
Rant 
Admin 
Submit an article or tip
