IOIO for Android

**NEW REVISION FOUND HERE: **DEV-10748. We've simply swapped out the on-board PIC for a different model, however the board will still function the same. This page is for reference only.

Note: This product is a collaboration with Ytai Ben-Tsvi. A portion of each sales goes back to them for product support and continued development.

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  • Member #741667 / about 9 years ago / 1

    As an IOS developer, would never consider this with iPhone development, untill I can buy inexpensive iPhones for around $30 for my projects.....

    Unless you are developing expensive systems, the iAnything would not be feasible for these projects... So, I think therefore 80% of project in the end will be Android related, if they did decide to make an iPhone version, which will be a waste of their RND budget, for sure....

    Suck it up iExpensive users!

  • Improvised Dynamics / about 14 years ago / 5

    so now we can convert our Androids into...androids!

  • Hooray! Except for one thing... I do not now, nor will I ever have an Android. They are fun, but I use iPhone, iTouch, and iPad.
    So, can we please, PLZ! have one for Apple I-Products?

    • mikenon / about 14 years ago / 2

      Why? A higher entry cost, as described by galed, and a more restrictive environment in terms of app development, really don't seem favorable over Android. Especially when you can pick up an older Android device sub $100, off contract.

      • I will NEVER EVER use an Android. Steve Jobs' (approximate) words: There's a porn store for Android. You can download porn, your kids can download porn, it's bad. We are restricting inappropriate apps so that won't happen with iPhones.
        I'm annoyed because my mom was looking at a Samsung Galaxy Tab in the RadioShack. I am NOT letting her get one! The only computer-y devices we have (that are not dumbphones) that are not Macs are:
        * My Lenovo S10 Netbook (and I'm going to hackintosh it with Boot-132)
        * Dad's stupid BlackBerry that can barely browse the net. SUNY Press gave it to him.

        • SomeGuy123 / about 13 years ago / 1

          He isn't talking about restrictions on inappropriate apps. He is talking about these kinds of restrictions.

    • galed / about 14 years ago / 2

      Developing hardware products for apple is a ridiculous process. Before any Apple device will talk to you, it wants verification codes from an Apple proprietary IC. The verification chip and the Apple device have a little conversation through your processor and if the device is happy, then it'll talk to you.
      Developing with the chip isn't that bad. Getting the chip is a real pain, at least it was for the company I was working for. So i guess seeing one of these for iTouch, iPhone, or iPad depends on how masochistic Sparkfun is feeling...

      • An old thread, but nevertheless. What galed said still stands in 2014.

        One problem for Sparkfun distributing an iOS compatible IOIO is that it could only sell it to companies involved in MFi program. I don't think this is on the agenda.

  • ikonict / about 14 years ago / 2

    A bluetooth link would be nice- don't always want to have your project tethered to your phone or tablet.

    • Ytai / about 14 years ago / 2

      Bluetooth has higher latency and lower bandwidth than what can be achieved via USB.
      IOIO has ~3ms one-way latency and ~300KB/s throughput.
      Bluetooth + microcontroller board is also a little more expensive and somewhat more complicated to setup for the novice.

    • kactus84 / about 14 years ago / 1

      I agree with the need for Bluetooth. The whole point of a cell phone is the lack of wires.
      BTW I am using a LG Optimus S with V2.2.2 with reasonable success. Some bugs are present in the demo that are mainly a result of the simple app.

    • Member #192948 / about 14 years ago / 1

      For that you have amarino :]

    • sjunnesson / about 14 years ago * / 1

      We at 1scale1 are working on a bluetooth link between android and arduino bluetooth using processing as the main environment to create your apps. All will be released open source soon but you can find a short video here and pics and more videos here

      • JamesBritt / about 14 years ago / 1

        Folks interested in using Processing to create Android apps should check out: http://www.creativeapplications.net/android/mobile-app-development-processing-android-tutorial/
        As for Android/Arduino connections with Bluetooth, see Amarino: http://www.amarino-toolkit.net/index.php/docs.html

      • mikenon / about 14 years ago / 1

        Processing, or the Processing based Arduino IDE?

    • dc / about 14 years ago / 1

      Google "Amarino" for Android Bluetooth to Arduino. It is more oriented towards using the Android phone as a sensor package and doing the control code on the Arduino, but the communications library can be used from the Android SDK too.

    • Member #31965 / about 14 years ago / 1

      This is built with the purpose of being able to plug in to the phone. You can already communicate with a microcontroller through a bluetooth TTL transceiver module.

  • Member #471618 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Hello Fellows, which pins of IOIO can I use for oscilloscope

  • Member #260804 / about 13 years ago / 1

    Does anyone know where can I buy IOIO board now?
    "This product has been retired from our catalog and is no longer for sale."
    Thanks

    • Sorry for the confusion, the IOIO is still available here
      This page is the product page for a previous revision of the IOIO.

  • Bohlsche / about 13 years ago / 1

    I'm stuck in between a Basic Atom Pro 40 Microcontroller (http://www.basicmicro.com/Basic-ATOM-Pro-40-M_p_63.html) and the Android IOIO. The basic idea is to read information from the Basic Atom Pro on an I2C-Bus and then display on the Android device (Acer Iconia Tab A500). I tried to go through some sample TWI master-slave-interfacing codelines, but it was not at all revealing to me. To be honest, I'm a total newbie, nevertheless, I have to get this going, no matter what the cost. Looks like I got into some major project I wouldn't want to drop anymore by now. If there's anyone you could get me a short draft or any written support to write the code, pls help me. For any further aid, I won't hesitate on an appropriate recompense.
    thanks,
    Bohlsche

  • Capt Nemo / about 13 years ago / 1

    I have a project that I would like to try. I am completely new at this, but if I read the capabilities of th ioio, it should be possible. I have an boat powered by an electric motor. The motor speed and direction are controlled with a 5k potentiometer. I also have my still functioning G1. Would it be possible to mimic the potentiometer using the ioio? If so, what equipment do I need to purchase? If not, can you think of any other way that this can be done?
    Thank you,

  • Member #164574 / about 13 years ago / 1

    which pic24 is on the board?

  • Ryan Johnson / about 14 years ago / 1

    Confirmed to work with my Samsung Fascinate (Verizon-flavored Galaxy S). However, the very day I received my IOIO, the entire codaset.com site appears to have fallen off the face of the internet...

  • The Bell Guy / about 14 years ago / 1

    Just tried it with the BPDN (Black Pandigital Novel) 1.5. The IOIO is recognized as being attached, however the BPDN jumps to the development screen and locks out the regular functions until the IOIO is unplugged, then the BPDN reboots. I have another pad coming in for evaluation.

  • The Bell Guy / about 14 years ago / 1

    IOIO works with my T-Mobile Comet, but not with my Pandigital Novel (rooted 2.1) or the MID iPed from China (rooted 2.1) I believe it has to do with handshaking. The pads don't charge through the USB port where the phone does. It may be what others have experienced. I am getting another pad and I will post my experience.

  • SparkyH / about 14 years ago / 1

    Just confirmed the IOIO works with Archos 32 mini tablet.
    Fantastic!
    Anyone know how I could get this to work with an Android app created using Flash CS5? (This is the only way I have at the moment to create Android apps and haven't got time to learn a whole new language!!)

  • Member #139182 / about 14 years ago / 1

    Just confirmed the HelloIOIO example works with both my DroidX and my Asus eee pad Transformer.

  • Dindi / about 14 years ago / 1

    Confirming a working SonyEricsson Xperia X10 working with FreeX10 (2.2 Froyo), rooted. I do not know if the original firmware works or not, but this one does.
    The sample application imported, compiled, and runs. The initial install/lunch always gives me a "force close", but when starting from a menu on the phone it works fine.

  • CKB / about 14 years ago / 1

    The board works with my WiFi-only Samsung Galaxy Tab.
    It does not work with my HTC Droid Incredible. USB debugging/charging continuously connects and disconnects for 2 seconds at a time. Haven't done much trouble shooting yet though...

    • Try adjusting the trimpot on the IOIO. You might not be supplying enough current for the phone to go into charge mode.

  • Member #134535 / about 14 years ago / 1

    Nook Color (Rooted)
    Anyone Tried the IOIO and software with a rooted Nook Color running Android?
    I'd appreciate reports on any attempts.

  • wwward / about 14 years ago * / 1

    HELLOIOIO running on rooted Barnes & Noble Nook Color
    Simple to go from nothing to yellow LED goodness.
    Thanks Sparkfun! See you at OHS I hope.
    wwward

  • FastEddy / about 14 years ago / 1

    Despite being a total noob on Android and java, I have this up and running with my AT&T HTC Inspire 4G. I'm loving it and learning fast (as I can).

  • bboyes / about 14 years ago / 1

    This is a very cool idea and long overdue (using USB on Android devices to attach more I/O). Too bad they didn't pick an Arduino-compatible controller so it would work with the just-announced Arduino-based I/O expansion ADK. BTW what does that new initiative mean for the future of this IOIO project? Will Sparkfun produce a version of the ADK hardware?
    http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19736_7-20061529-251.html

  • Yan in Paris / about 14 years ago / 1

    Beautiful work:) Need more implementation examples! When can ADK be ported to IOIO?

  • CF / about 14 years ago / 1

    No SparkFun red?

  • espritech / about 14 years ago / 1

    Can the firmware of this board be changed to use USB accessory mode rather than ADB over USB.?

    • Ytai / about 14 years ago / 1

      I'm working on it and making nice progress. Should be ready soon. Will support seamless fallback to ADB whenever ADK is not available.

  • Rene2 / about 14 years ago / 1

    Is this device compatible with the Android Open Accessory Development Kit announced today at Google IO?

    • No, not yet. But there are some major benefits to the IOIO compared to the current state of the ADK. Overall, the IOIO is less expensive (mega + usb host shield) and is easier to use since you only will need to write code for your app, no embedded programming in C++ is needed.
      For a discussion on the matter see this IOIO discussion thread.

    • wenjiun / about 14 years ago / 1

      yeah, the name comes from IO? The board shown in Google IO seems to be Arduino-based.

  • Member #224541 / about 14 years ago / 1

    I have been looking for such an item of this.
    Do put an order of 2.

  • swantron / about 14 years ago / 1

    Example project verified on IOIO / Droid 2 / Eclipse on Ubuntu. Awesome product...very well done.

  • X y z z y / about 14 years ago / 1

    Would like to purchase at least 1, probably 2, of these and am happy to backorder if estimated time to delivery is not that long (and guess others are interested in the same answers).
    1) Is there any estimate of when the backorder would be fulfilled ?
    2) Is there a (threshold) number of backorders needed to trigger production ? If so, what is it and how close to the threshold are the existing backorders ?

    • All I can tell you for sure is that orders for the first build have started to be filled.
      I assume the next build should be a big one, so I anticipate positive stock numbers in the next month or so.
      -Aaron

  • ioniser / about 14 years ago / 1

    As it acts as the USB Host, will the android device still recognize usb hard drives using OTG?

  • Member #220124 / about 14 years ago / 1

    Very cool device: and I've got my order in! :-)
    Note also folks (Micah Dowty) are interfacing Android via Blue Tooth using the Propeller chip:
    http://scanlime.org/2010/04/embedded-bluetooth-for-2/
    A friend of mine has not however yet been successful to copy/emulate what was Micah was able to do using the Propeller and a cheap blue tooth usb dongle.
    And, blue tooth will be a bit slow, so this IOIO USB interface is just the ticket I wanted anyways.
    I'm not sure why the folks over at Parallax that make the Propeller chip aren't also trotting something like this Android USB interface out, or just a standalone BlueTooth Android interface board.
    Things are certainly going to get interesting...now sensors can be separated from their interactive displays...hmmm...and there's a lot of standalone sensors, such as example:
    - a Ulta-Sound device in hospital,
    - or a Gieger Counter,
    These type of sensor devices dedicate 80% of their internal resources to info display and user interaction. Hmmm...what is the market dynamic if most all sensors could simply interact with a standard API?...with a polyanna expectation that most everyone has an Android device to display and interact with the sensor: Efficiencies!

    • spiritplumber / about 14 years ago * / 1

      Here's the new object that lets you run (off the same prop running at 96Mhz) an ADB bridge and one other USB host device.
      http://obex.parallax.com/objects/738/
      The Parallax guys have had this out since February / early March, but since there's no extra hardware, they're not bothering advertising it other than on the object exchange. It's just a Prop board with four extra resistors.

  • ftc / about 14 years ago / 1

    How many of the DIO pins are PWM capable?

  • R4D4R / about 14 years ago / 1

    So...any ETA on production?

  • bdodds / about 14 years ago / 1

    Why USB and not BlueTooth???

  • dbc / about 14 years ago / 1

    When do we find out what the software license is? I'd happily pre-order one, but I'd like to know the license first.

  • Ward / about 14 years ago / 1

    Neat product, but what on earth is that potentiometer (R2) doing there? I worry about its power rating...there are scant few details on the schematic, but the biggest, baddest SMT pot I can find on Digi-Key is rated at 0.5W. Assuming the resistance of the pot at the close end of its wiper range is at least 1 ohm, and I bet it is, drawing the USB spec max of 500mA you've likely exceeded the power rating of the device. Here's hoping that the IOIO doesn't allow the peripheral to enumerate as a high-power device. That would afford you 2.5 ohms on R2 before you violate the USB bus voltage spec. My vote: replace R2 with a resettable fuse.

  • crispernaki / about 14 years ago / 1

    Want.

  • Brodie / about 14 years ago / 1

    I do believe that creative make an X-fi mp3 player now that is android based, cheaper for those who dont need a cell phone for their application, well it is basically an android phone without the phone, still got wifi, bt etc.
    Have to say though, nicely done, and just another reason for people not to buy an iPhone :p

  • FlyByPC / about 14 years ago / 1

    Very cool! This solves a major problem (GPIO) for a research project we're working on. Any idea when the boards will ship? (I backordered one today.) Thanks!

  • JohnMitchell / about 14 years ago / 1

    Did the source code link get forgotten?

  • mman1506 / about 14 years ago / 1

    My Iphone is always getting worse and worse

  • Talon Designs / about 14 years ago * / 1

    As someone that has been playing extensively with getting my phone to remotely control my Arduino madness, this just makes me tingle.
    Being an Android developer for only a year now, and until about 6 months ago, never put my hands near an arduino, I simply cannot wait for one of these to arrive at my doorstep.
    I have been able to switch some LED, change values/graphics on an LCD, send potentiometer information back to my phone (Etch A Sketch anyone?) all via bluesmirf. I have to admit, having something like this at hand will make all of this SO much more fun. As mentioned in other posts, the latency and bandwidth issues are somewhat hard to overcome when you want to do a LOT of things. But as a tinkerer, it is certainly a lot of fun. Especially when it comes to remotely changing the value on a charlieplexed led matrix. ;) 3rd brake light anyone? :D
    FYI - yes. It was done via the Amarino toolkit.
    Cant wait, cant wait, cant wait.

  • Duke3k / about 14 years ago / 1

    Engadget's write up on ioio.
    http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/10/sparkfun-intros-ioio-for-android-a-hack-free-breakout-box-to-ge/

  • FelixL / about 14 years ago / 1

    Wanted to do something similar with an arduino, but had problems with the usb host mode. Now I've got two questions:
    a) Can the sound be redirected from the speaker to the IOIO?
    Would be great to use one connector for sound and data.
    b) Is something like an external interrupt or clock for communication possible?
    Thanks for making this!

    • Daniel.cltn / about 14 years ago / 1

      Couldn't you strip the wires of an audio jack and use that?

  • gwdeveloper / about 14 years ago / 1

    Very nice. I have an original G1 that I've kept waiting for this moment.

  • CephDon / about 14 years ago / 1

    Would the pic source code work with the "USB 32-Bit Whacker - PIC32MX795 Development Board" ? If so, it offers another board with slightly more horsepower (and larger size) as a platform for Android development. If it wont work, I wonder what differences there are to making it compatible...

  • bluedude / about 14 years ago / 1

    If someone can hook this up to a Grove or Electronic brick to readout sensors it would be an instant hit.

  • dangell / about 14 years ago / 1

    It would be too cool if Android App Inventor would support this.

  • raiderj / about 14 years ago / 1

    I'd think a super cheap Android tablet would be a great interface for this. Best I've found so far is an Archos 28 tablet off Amazon. Can anyone do better?
    http://www.amazon.com/Archos-28-Internet-Tablet-Black/dp/B00422SGX0/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1302276229&sr=8-17

    • dbc / about 14 years ago / 1

      OK, I'm a month late replying... but I agree, the Archos tablets are a good deal, and support dual-boot to your own Linux install out of the box. I have an Archos 70, which I got from BH Photo & Video -- you might compare them to the Amazon price. About the only other cheap deal I've found is the T-Mobile Comet -- you can get that phone pre-paid without a contract, and sometimes T-Mobile has refurbs at a good deal. The Comet isn't all that powerful a unit, but if you want a cheap, no-contract Android phone with more sensors than an Archos, its the only one I've found.

  • Member #130970 / about 14 years ago / 1

    Great stuff! A bit on the pricey side, though. Note that this stuff has already been done on Arduino (code.google.com/p/microbridge), and you can get an Arduino + host shield slightly cheaper.

  • Doctor Who / about 14 years ago / 1

    Hello!
    Nice! But I see a typo. Someone wanted to type android within one sentence, but swapped the o and i at one point. It is in this one:"The IOIO is fully controllable from within an Andriod application, using a simple and intuitive Java API - no embedded programming or external programmer will ever be needed, even for firmware upgrades!"
    But I am still going to order one of the things at some point.

  • Member #216814 / about 14 years ago / 1

    Its well beyond me, but what are the chances of being able to use the 3g for control at somepoint. i.e a long range RC car/plane/heli controled from phone/laptop with 3g dongle with video feed :)

    • Ytai / about 14 years ago / 1

      Has been done.
      It is fairly simple. Might post a step-by-step tutorial on this at some point. In the meanwhile, you may want to check cellbots.com

  • Remnant / about 14 years ago / 1

    Awesome. I was just a few weeks back predicting that such a product would be a huge hit. I think you guys will discover that that is correct :)
    The potential of coupling embedded electronics to android is amazing.

  • Zakuska / about 14 years ago / 1

    Any news on when the code base and this product will be available!?

  • kd5crs / about 14 years ago / 1

    This is really nifty. If I were to buy an old Android phone off eBay, do any of the OS upgrades beyond the required 1.5 add anything that would make using this board easier/harder/better/worse?

  • Odysseyjason / about 14 years ago / 1

    This looks like one of the coolest boards ever from Sparkfun! Wow, all the computing power of an Android for data logging, screen, GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, memory, Gyroscope, Accelerometer, Magnetometer, and more! Only, now we don't need to buy all those awesome LCDs, Arduinos, SD card readers, Magnetomeeters etc from Sparkfun and they will go bankrupt;(
    I only wish it could work with an Ipod Touch, that way we could integrate a $200 item that has no expensive data plan attached to our projects. Seems technically possible as this is functioning as the USB host, would it be a matter of just the IOs programming or does Apple have some sort of block on the possibility (what about a Jailbroken Ipod Touch?)
    I am building camera control circuits with my Ipod Touch using the FSK modem board from sparkfun. Check out my 3D Panorama viewing website at http://www.3d-360.com

    • Awkward Woodshop / about 14 years ago / 1

      Also, the ipod touch has a 3.3v uart in the dock connector, so you could just use that with a micro with custom firmware if you really wanted.

    • I only wish it could work with an Ipod Touch
      The board should work with some Android tablets. Although, we have not tested one yet. :)
      -Aaron

      • Talon Designs / about 14 years ago / 1

        I have a xoom and a gal-tab.. I will certainly get information to you regarding this. I also have 3 different android phones (HTC, Droid 1, Droid 2)in hand and access to many others. Once I am able to get one of these, rest assured, you will have my input.

    • Dean_Kreger / about 14 years ago / 1

      Or, you could buy your Android phone from eBay or similar and skip the data plan altogether. ;-]

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