Kyocera KR1 Wish List

Michael · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:11 pm Post subject: Kyocera KR1 Wish List

OK, some have received their KR1, many will receive theirs next week, so this thread will discuss, the features that they would like to see in the next firmware update or future version of the KR1.

Here is my list:

- Add GPSd to the firmware. Don't document it, just add it. Those that know what it can do, will use it to sell a TON of KR1s

- ability to see signal strength in the browser admin area (real cool, to see the signal strength in LEDs on the front panel)

- support PRL updates via atdt*228 (if possible)

- make the 2nd USB port functional and add print sharing

- add support for the PPC6700 (and possibly others)

- Failsafe Ethernet Port . Allow people to hook up a DSL/Cable/T1 to Ethernet Port 1. If that connection should drop, auto switch over to EVDO.
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Scott · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2006 11:17 pm Post subject:

KR1 wishes:

UMTS/HSDPA card support.

You've pretty much touched on the other ones Michael.

Some type of signal strength indication would be nice. I could dream a little dream and ask for SNMP polling (and a Dashboard or Java Widget to go with it for remote signal display) but that may be asking just a little too much. ;]

Mackieman · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 491

I'm not sure I'd get a lot of support for GPSd; if you can provide a solid basis for needing it , we'll look into it.
We're currently working on getting some basic form of signal strength reporting put into the router GUI. It will be available via firmware upgrade. The next revision of the product should have a complete signal strength solution in place, and I like the idea of LEDs somewhere on the box letting you know.
OTASP functions are planned but may not be feasible in the current product.
Having a print server was actually an original requirement for this product but was dropped for some reason. Folks I've talked to who have tested the unit didn't really care either way but I think it's a good idea and it shouldn't be terribly difficult to implement.
Other phones will be added as they become available with carriers and supporting tethered data.
UMTS/HSDPA and automatic failover is in discussion for the second revision of the product.

Keep the suggestions coming, guys.

PSEVDOU · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:56 am Post subject: Kr1 Router Wish List

I would really like 2 additional features:

1. The ability to connect a USB printer

2. The ability to initialize an EVDO card

Mackieman · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 491

I think the print server feature was already covered. What do you mean by initializng the EVDO card? Do you mean that you'd like to be able to pass your own commands to the card?

PSEVDOU · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 3:27 pm Post subject:

Mac PowerBook users currently have no way of activating cards for Sprint without having the card initialized in a Windows PC first.

It would be great if the card could be activated in the KR1 and the PRL could be updated without the need for a Windows laptop.

Michael · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 4:37 pm Post subject:

Mackieman · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 491

Oh! You mean card activation! That probably isn't going to happen; the ability to do OTASP for PRL updates may be viable though.

Scott · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 5:23 pm Post subject:

Mackieman · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 491

hamlet00 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 6

Dual wan (even triple wan) with load balancing and auto fail over.

Michael · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:20 am Post subject:

Mackieman · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 491

I've dropped a line into the waters for GPSd and it was met with indifference largely due to the somewhat low level of technical knowledge in the team. I'm looking into it.

tz1

I love the KR1, but since it runs Linux, I'm hoping a few things can be added sometime in the future:

1. GPSD. I would like nothing better than to plug any standard GPS into the USB port (or via USB serial adapter) and then get GPS coordinates available via gpsd, or even the NMEA via some port. (I would also note there appear to be internal serial com ports - it would be interesting if they could be used with a GPS).

If they need technical help I can do this (I've modded gpsd for my zaurus).

2. Signal Strength (even if only when disconnected). AT+CSQ? every second or so or on demand to a web page - when the signal is low, or even if my connector isn't fully inserted it is hard to tell. Alternately a pass-thru TCP port to the control port on the PC card, as it should be possible to do a "socat" type link to the Verizon app on the PC (comN <-> TCP port XYZ) so you could do things like upload PRLs. The signal strength does come on the control port and I think the protocol can be reverse engineered, if only to spoof the conversation and pick out the signal strength. (also note that BitPim works on the control port, so the PRL might be uploadable).

This could be done with socat. Actually the NMEA GPS could be done with that too.

3. USB port tweaks. Mainly to disconnect my iPod so I can listen to it while it is being charged (disconnect/detach anything unrecognized). Support one (probably D-Link) bluetooth device (maybe to bluetooth EVDO phone). Web cam/mic? There has to be a way...

4. Kismet. I have it for my Zaurus (an earlier version, but ARM), and I think it supports the wlan hardware, and it works as a server. I wouldn't need redundant antennae to wardrive.

tz1 · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:30 pm Post subject: Pass-through ports

The pass-through ports might be something that would provide a lot of the functionality including activating a card, though you might need windows (but consider someone who has a desktop without a PCMCIA slot).

I don't know how to make a TCP port appear as a COM port in windows since I am not an expert, but I would suspect that if the pair of ports /dev/ttyUSBx on the box could simply be forwarded to windows as a com port, the various activation and other software could simply work. The VZ Access manager recognized my tethered phone. This would allow PRL updates as well.

For Mac and Linux, BitPim will recognize the control port and (if there were a similar passthru - or mod bitpim since it is opensource Python) you could theoretically update the file containing the PRL.

On the subject of passthroughs, you wouldn't necessarily need GPSD - that might be run on the target, but you would need a way of pulling the NMEA datastream to a passthrough port (firewalled, but accessible over the internet - I assume EVDO or 1xRTT already uses compression so gzipping the stream would not increase bandwidth).

My guess would be that even just having the WAN-GPS linkage would make the product very useful in many tracking applications - even if the router or other networking functions were never used. Or if you did the serial it would just be a mobile telnet serial terminal server box.

Also consider OnStar type services. OnStar uses analog cells (last I heard), a GPS, and a vehicle interface. That might need two serial ports (dual port USB adapter?). I'm in the auto industry (on the vehicle communication busses), and can think of a lot of uses for this.

Final Wishlist item - a non hacked battery pack, or something that can let the thing run for a few hours away from another source, but could (re)charge from that source. I have that, but not in a matching case with clean mounting system.