Editing USB host mode

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''Note: This is '''about pre-N900 devices''', i.e. OS2008. The '''N900''' does not support full OTG, but '''has a hostmode''' that's quite a bit different to that of older devices. See [http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=31921 discussion] for details, implementation of [http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?p=866309#post866309 h-e-n], as well as [[N900_Hardware_USB| usb on the n900]]''

USB host mode allows you to connect various USB devices (external hard drives, digital cameras, card readers, input devices, etc.) to your device just like a regular computer. There are, however, a few limitations. The device must draw under 100mA (this can be bypassed by using a powered hub), and you will need a hardware adaptor to plug a fullsize USB cable into the tablet's undersized one.

== USB On-The-Go ==

The USB port on the tablets is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_On-The-Go USB OTG], this means that they can be switched between client- (where you plug the tablet into a computer—for flashing and mounting cards on the computer), and host- (where the tablet acts like a computer) mode with the correct hardware adaptor.

You can find a USB OTG adapter designed specifically for the [http://www.electronicproductonline.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1781 N800] and the [http://www.internettablettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16284 N810]. These OTG adaptors will automatically switch the tablet into host-mode when plugged in.

You can also buy a "dumb" adapter that will provide the correct connections, but will not automatically switch the tablet into host-mode from most online and some in-store retailers. Then you can simply switch into host-mode manually.

== Switching modes with software ==

There are two options for switching between client- and host-mode in software. If you want to switch modes using a statusbar application, install the [https://garage.maemo.org/projects/usb-otg-plugin/ usb-otg-plugin], if you prefer to use a separate application for switching modes, then install [http://maemo.org/downloads/product/OS2008/usbcontrol/ USB Control]. Both pieces of software accomplish the same thing, they just provide slightly different interfaces to do it.

== Switching modes manually ==

To manually switch USB modes, you must first have [[Root_access#rootsh|rootsh]] installed, then open xterm and type:
 sudo gainroot
 echo host > /sys/devices/platform/musb_hdrc/mode

The tablet will then be in host-mode and you can use your USB peripherals. To set the tablet back to client mode, open xterm again and type:
 echo otg > /sys/devices/platform/musb_hdrc/mode

[[Category:Users]]
[[Category:USB]]

[[Category:Power users]]

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Editing USB host mode

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 The USB port on the tablets is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_On-The-Go USB OTG], this means that they can be switched between client- (where you plug the tablet into a computer—for flashing and mounting cards on the computer), and host- (where the tablet acts like a computer) mode with the correct hardware adaptor.
-You can find a USB OTG adapter designed specifically for the [http://www.electronicproductonline.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1781 N800] and the [http://www.electronicproductonline.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=35_67&products_id=2004 N810] (N810 owners will need to buy both adaptors until a custom N810 adaptor is manufactured). These OTG adaptors will automatically switch the tablet into host-mode when plugged in.
+You can find a USB OTG adapter designed specifically for the [http://www.electronicproductonline.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1781 N800] and the [http://www.internettablettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16284 N810]. These OTG adaptors will automatically switch the tablet into host-mode when plugged in.
 You can also buy a "dumb" adapter that will provide the correct connections, but will not automatically switch the tablet into host-mode from most online and some in-store retailers. Then you can simply switch into host-mode manually.