Incredible! Nokia N8 and USB bar code reader!
When I received this email about the Nokia N8 and barcodes I thought, “interesting – a new barcode reader app? I did just install one the other day, I wonder if it’s the same…is my pizza burning?” when the pictures loaded…
Holy crap it’s an actual checkout style barcode scanner! How awesome is that?!
According to Janne (thanks for the heads up to tips@mynokiablog.com)
Bog standard software, nothing extra installed. USB barcode readers work like USB keyboards. N8 powered the device fine too.
The barcode reader is a Marson MT6015.
What things have you attached to the USB? More pictures in the gallery below!
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Hey, thanks for reading my post. My name is Jay and I'm a medical student at the University of Manchester. When I can, I blog here at mynokiablog.com and tweet now and again @jaymontano. We also have a twitter and facebook accounts @mynokiablog and Facebook.com/mynokiablog. Check out the tips, guides and rules for commenting >>click<< Contact us at tips(@)mynokiablog.com or email me directly on jay[at]mynokiablog.comSubscribe
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Sites That Link to this Post
- Incredible! Nokia N8 and USB bar code reader! | My Computer Entertainment | December 9, 2010
- Nokia N8 e lettore di codici a barre USB: amore possibile! @ NokiaSpace – Nokia, Symbian, MeeGo and any more.. | December 9, 2010
- Barcode scanner per Nokia N8 (No, non è un’applicazione.) | December 9, 2010
- Länksprutning – 12 December 2010 – Månhus | December 12, 2010
- Anonymous | December 12, 2010
- Video: Suuuperfast barcode scanner for S^3 – Even works EDoF and old S60 – demoed on Nokia N8/E7/N95 : My Nokia Blog | May 2, 2011
- Curiosità, N8 diventa anche un lettore di codici a barre Usb | July 23, 2011
- Incredible! Nokia N8 and USB bar code reader! « « BeingGadget Mobile News,Reviews & More BeingGadget Mobile News,Reviews & More | April 6, 2012
- Die vielen Möglichkeiten von USB OTG – beispielsweise USB Barcode-Reader | Symbianlounge | July 12, 2012
Thanks for posting this, Jay. It actually looks a bit like 300 baud modem downloading text (or someone typing pretty fast) when the barcode reader outputs it to whatever application is open in the N8 – it was the SMS entry window in the images. Barcode readers like this emulate a USB keyboard basically. Pretty nice, I thought so too. Works really well.
New picture here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=40954&l=77ad923141&id=106589586032856
In the picture a detail of note, just as with USB keyboards, it is possible to “type” using a barcode reader without opening the virtual keyboard. Therefore it is possible to enter codes in context with a website instead of the fullscreen keyboard.
I guess this would be best shown on a video, but a picture must do – the new picture I posted shows EAN-Search.org receiving a barcode from the reader. It took a couple of tries to get the picture without shaking, so it shows the code in progress being typed and full code in the memory dropdown for comparison. Green light on the reader signals that transfer of code is still in progress, i.e. the code was being “typed” as the photo was shot.
Speaking of potential uses for a barcode reader and a mobile phone, websites like EAN Search as well as banks that accept barcoded invoice data are probably the most useful ones. Granted, not many people need to access these on their phones with a barcode reader at hand, but the web is one – theoretical – use case. Other plausible scenario would be custom-made apps that make use of barcodes (logistics etc.) where the N8 (or e.g. C7) would take the place of a PDA.
But for now, just a fun thing to try out…
P.S. Unfortunately EAN-Search.org database didn’t include the Knorr Beef Fond “Du Chef” product I scanned in.
hunh. Didn’t see this one coming. Just shows off the versatility of USB-OTG…
AMAZING, I just wet my pants .. I will be using this daily and yeah, I love barcode scanners and nokia, and both can s**k my b***s.
Funny, just yesterday I did the same with my N900.
Hilarious, far from usefull as it is now. Still nice to see it is possible.
What does it help when there is no real useful app behind that hardware? What do you do with a long number? Copy and paste it to the browser and google for it?
I don’t think there are practical uses for it now but there could be.
Possibly not for consumers. Maybe small business – stock inventory. Stick it in your phone, scan away, email all inventory requirements to suppliers.
I dunno. I just thought it was cool it worked. Was certainly an odd surprise after expecting a barcode reader app.
Hmm, I’m a bit in doubt about that. Perhaps it is usefull for small business (no extra investment into Windows CE based inventory checkers) and for salespeople. But most use case already have dedicated stuff in place that works good and has good support as well.
This capability should be picked up by a company like Symbol (scanning equipment) or just a company that sees a use for it and have an app developed.
All in all, nice to see, but for now useless aside from the gimmick factor.
Only Nokia makes it possible.
This sort of thing is pure fantasy for owners of iPhone and Android.
Nice! I just got my N8 2 days ago and I love it. I have only hooked a keyboard and mouse to it and even that is amazing and funny at the same time! I had my N8 hooked to my HD tv using a mouse to navigate…that just makes me smile. Sure my N900 could do it but not out of the box or without buying additional cables. I tried plugging a cheap logitech web cam and my xbox 360 controller to it but it came up as being a non compatible device. I will try more as soon as possible.
Question: Has anyone tried a USB splitter to get 2 USB ports running on the N8? I want to connect a mouse AND keyboard and run it through HDMI! If that works, all I will need is that new browser that I hear so much about…
It took me 2 days to find how to download Ovi Store 2.0……I ended up going to ovi on the pc, finding the free ovi install…downloading it to my computer, copying over the Ovi Installer sis that I downloaded and running it on my N8. BOOM! Ovi Store 2.0. Sure….sounds like a lot of effort but my N8 had an issue that prevented me from downloading ANYTHING from any website…even a Nokia field person that I ran into in T-Mobile said he never saw that issue.
I am glad to have an N8.
P.S. I was shooting a short live action Bounce Voyage movie with my N900 and it is almost complete. I may post the incomplete one to youtube and reshoot and finish a new one with the N8….yes, I am thrilled, can’t you tell by my rambling!
A USB “splitter” means a hub, and it was reported that this is not supported. Just a single device. (You can use a BT keyb/mouse combo of course)
New picture here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=40954&l=77ad923141&id=106589586032856
In the picture a detail of note, just as with USB keyboards, it is possible to “type” using a barcode reader without opening the virtual keyboard. Therefore it is possible to enter codes in context with a website instead of the fullscreen keyboard.
I guess this would be best shown on a video, but a picture must do – the new picture I posted shows EAN-Search.org receiving a barcode from the reader. It took a couple of tries to get the picture without shaking, so it shows the code in progress being typed and full code in the memory dropdown for comparison. Green light on the reader signals that transfer of code is still in progress, i.e. the code was being “typed” as the photo was shot.
Speaking of potential uses for a barcode reader and a mobile phone, websites like EAN Search as well as banks that accept barcoded invoice data are probably the most useful ones. Granted, not many people need to access these on their phones with a barcode reader at hand, but the web is one – theoretical – use case. Other plausible scenario would be custom-made apps that make use of barcodes (logistics etc.) where the N8 (or e.g. C7) would take the place of a PDA.
But for now, just a fun thing to try out…
P.S. Unfortunately EAN-Search.org database didn’t include the Knorr Beef Fond “Du Chef” product I scanned in.
Amazing. This and keyboard and mouse. I wonder if its possible to use other USB devices? Like USB TV tuner card? Of course some software would be needed but that would be awesome..
There’s this DVB-receiver addon made for Symbian^3 devices.
LOL
I love this phone
Yes there is but, it’s only for dvb-h signal for mobile phones. And that is not very widely available.
I savor, lead to I found exactly what I was having a look for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye