Pixel Debug Cable

Hacking around with building your own Android / AOSP system images can lead to difficult to debug problems during early boot.  

Fortunately, the Pixel XL (and several other Nexus and Pixel devices) includes a serial debug port that uses the pins on the headphone jack.  It’s possible to get early debug output (from the boot loader and kernel) by issuing a special fastboot command, and connecting a simple serial adapter.

Distributed Air Quality Monitoring (Using Taxis!)

Last month I put together a project on Hackster.io as part of an Android Things contest that Google was sponsoring.  Amazingly, I won!

Making my TV dumb again!

I don't like my TVs smart.  I like them dumb....

...and when I'm using my 4k LG Smart TV as a glorified computer monitor for work, I *really* want nothing to do with pressing buttons on a remote control, chatty on-screen display messages, and displaying stupid pictures of a golden retriever.

Android Things to the rescue!

My Garage Door is now part of the Internet of Things

I am a firm believer in my phone being the only thing I need to have with me…. EVER!

… and I am looking forward with great anticipation to the day I can finally defeat my constant and unwanted companions: wallet and keys.

Controlling my Door Lock from Android using Bluetooth-LE

Part 3 of My Fancy Bluetooth-LE Operated Door Lock series

This is the last post of my 3 part series on hacking an off-the-shelf electronic lock to be controlled by my Android phone using a Bluetooth capable Arduino board.   Whew!

So the final pieces to this is to create a usable Android App that I can use to control my door lock.

It's easier said than done!