Uses for the Micro USB Port?

[erik]

I bought a Micro USB Male to USB A Female Adapter and have successfully hooked up my Nexus 7 to a USB keyboard. But given that an unrooted Nexus 7 doesn't support thumb drives, I'm wondering what other uses this port has—especially since they don't exactly make tons of drivers for the Nexus 7. Is anyone here using the USB port for anything other than a keyboard?

[Drew]

You can use it as you would any USB except for storage (unless rooted). The main use would probably be transferring info/pics/music to and from a computer

[erik]

Drew, have you managed to transfer photos from a camera to the Nexus 7? I have the necessary USB adapters but I don't see any way to get the Nexus 7 to recognize my camera. I'm thinking the same restrictions against the Nexus 7 accessing thumb drives and flash storage apply here. But please let me know if I'm mistaken, if this task can in fact be accomplished through an unrooted Nexus 7.

[Babyfacemagee]

I wrote a front page article all about the microUSB here that will answer most of your questions:  http://nexus7forum.com/index.php?topic=336.0

[Drew]

Drew, have you managed to transfer photos from a camera to the Nexus 7? I have the necessary USB adapters but I don't see any way to get the Nexus 7 to recognize my camera. I'm thinking the same restrictions against the Nexus 7 accessing thumb drives and flash storage apply here. But please let me know if I'm mistaken, if this task can in fact be accomplished through an unrooted Nexus 7.

I haven't, simply because I am still waiting for my adapter for micro to micro...for now, I transfer camera to laptop and then to N7.  I will let you know when I get it, unless someone else responds with their experience.

[Drew]

Adapter arrived this morning and it works!

When I plug it in it brings up Gallery and my camera is one of the albums (squares).  I don't know if it matters, but I have a Canon and my app is Camera Launcher for Nexus 7.

[radiocycle]

Drew, have you managed to transfer photos from a camera to the Nexus 7? I have the necessary USB adapters but I don't see any way to get the Nexus 7 to recognize my camera. I'm thinking the same restrictions against the Nexus 7 accessing thumb drives and flash storage apply here. But please let me know if I'm mistaken, if this task can in fact be accomplished through an unrooted Nexus 7.

I used Dropbox : https://www.dropbox.com/ and I was able to transfer pics very easily.  Give it a try.

r

[Kyi]

I highly suggest everyone pick one of these up (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006XL26TS/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00), you don't have to use this specific brand but make sure its an OTG cable. I'm not sure of all of the uses, but I know you can use this to hook up cameras, hard drives (not sure if it needs to be rooted), and the reason why I am getting mine: using the Playstation 3 controller to play games on the device. Of course, you will also need the USB to Mini B cable as well, which you should already have if you have PS3 controllers.

[erik]

BFM, I read your article and it was really helpful.

A couple questions:

1) I assume a female USB to male micro-USB adapter is not inherently an OTG cable, and that if I want to hook up cameras and flash drives I'll need to buy an OTG cable. Am I correct?

2) Once I own an OTG cable, must my Nexus 7 be rooted/jailbroken in order to access my camera or thumb drive? Drew, if you're reading this, could you let us know if your Nexus 7 is jailbroken?

Thanks so much, everyone! This thread has been super helpful.

[erik]

I did a bit more digging in regard to my first question and discovered that not all female usb to male micro USB adapters are OTG. So I just bought an OTG version of this adapter.

One remaining question: I assume that in addition to being able to hook up thumb drives or cameras, this adapter can do everything a non-OTG adapter can do. In other words, I could use this OTG adapter to hook up a USB keyboard. Am I correct on this matter?

[Kyi]

I believe you will be able to use most USB devices with the otg cable but not sure if the device has to be rooted.

[Drew]

2) Once I own an OTG cable, must my Nexus 7 be rooted/jailbroken in order to access my camera or thumb drive? Drew, if you're reading this, could you let us know if your Nexus 7 is jailbroken?

Thanks so much, everyone! This thread has been super helpful.

No, no jailbreak, no root, just stock N7.  Do you think it is the camera launcher I mentioned earlier?  I can't think of anything else that would be different.

[Drew]

I know the OTG USB cable link is everywhere, but I just couldn't resist when I saw the price.

http://www.amazon.com/Micro-Adapter-Compatible-Google-Nexus/dp/B008MI79HO/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1343687057&sr=8-6&keywords=usb+otg+nexus+7

[birdastrompgman]

Thanks for the link, Drew.  I ordered a USB OTG cable minutes ago.

[Drew]

Sure, I hope the quality is good.  I bet these are all from the same manufacturer.