The more astute observers among you will have noticed, no doubt, that the current crop of smartphones are rather more than just handsets. Their power, storage and functionality has turned them into small handheld computers, great for doing all sorts of tasks we used to do on our laptop computers.
But the big problem is that phones are not great for extended working sessions, at which point you really need a good set of input accessories to make things comfortable.
Well guess what? The clever geek wonks have worked it out and delivered a great solution. This Micro USB OTG 4-Port Hub is a fully functional 4 port microUSB hub lets you attach a keyboard, mouse, flash memory device and probably even a set of USB powered heated slippers to your Android smartphone, thereby giving you all the comfort and functionality of a traditional computing device. Marvelous eh?
Rather cleverly, the unit also doubles up as a standard computer USB hub if you use the included adapter, which means you can carry it around for all kinds of emergencies. It offers USB 2.0 performance, is PC, Mac and Linux compatible as well as any Android OTG USB phone or tablet, and comes in two fabulous colors. Well OK, black and white if you insist. Priced at just $11.00 which we think is a bargain considering the utility factor.
Nigel, what can you tell us about that Liliputian keyboard and mouse setup?
Don
Don, I’m not sure to be honest. I’ve had a look around and I can’t place the make or model. It must be some sort of generic mini-keyboard. I suspect that the mouse is a separate accesory from the keyboard though.
Agree, they look like different makers. I looked but couldn’t find that particular keyboard on Brandon. Interesting that one can do so much with a phone these days, but alas, I need another mouse/keyboard/usb hub setup like I need a case of gout, and beyond that, my eyes aren’t as sharp as they used to be. Cheers!
This would be infinitely more useful if it were possible to attach a charger, so that the phone’s battery isn’t drained while those external devices are being used. Or is it not technically possible to charge a phone while simultaneously using the USB port to obtain a data connection to a hub or other device?
Good point. On some phones it is definitely possible to charge while using the microUSB port for something else. I know because the HDMI adapter from Samsung has a power port on it which charges the phone while it’s connected and sending video to a TV. Although I wonder if that’s one way only, from phone to television, whereas data is two way and could prevent charging?
Just use Bluetooth mouse/keyboard… that way you can also charge your phone/tablet at the same time.
Yeah but surely you need an integrated set, because as far as I know you can’t pair and connect multiple devices together via Bluetooth?