Mobile
X-keys® Mobile Device Support
X-keys USB keyboards, switches, pedals, and controls offer a number of options for sending input to mobile devices. We currently offer three products with specific features for mobile applications. Use our X-keys Android app, a free download on Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.piengineering.pimacroworks ) to program a range of commands emulating touch, swipe, text, or multimedia commands.
These standard X-keys have Android features already built in.
In addition, all of our X-keys XK series devices can be configured as a USB Keyboard, Mouse or Game Controller (joystick). See more features and information below.
Using USB HID
- USB X-keys work on all devices supporting USB HID
- Programming and macros saved in onboard memory
- Supports keyboard or game controller (joystick) with mouse and multimedia commands
- X-keys Plus devices have multimedia and absolute mouse features
All of our XK series X-keys can be configured as a USB keyboard, mouse, or game controller (joystick). The configuration and programming are done on a PC using our MacroWorks 3.1 software. Our X-keys Plus units (currently XK-24 Plus, XK-3 Plus, and USB 12 Switch Interface) may also be programmed with our X-keys Android app.
X-keys Plus units have additional capabilities like our proprietary absolute mouse feature, and multimedia commands. The absolute mouse feature allows an X-keys button or foot pedal to perform a touch or swipe anywhere on the screen.
A USB A to USB Mini adapter (inexpensive and commonly available) is required for most mobile devices and not all mobile devices accept USB input. Some mobile devices will require a powered USB hub as well to prevent the X-keys from drawing power from the device.
Using a configuration with no keyboard endpoint preserves the functionality of the on-screen keyboard. If both on-screen and keyboard endpoint are required, many mobile devices have methods to accommodate this. Learn more here: On-screen Keyboards
Learn more and download MacroWorks 3.1 here
Learn more and download X-keys Android here
Using X-keys Android
- Allows X-keys to control any app
- Programming and editing performed on the Android device
- Programming stored in X-keys memory and travels with the X-keys
- Easily set up multiple identical X-keys
- Program touches, swipes and multimedia commands
- Supports keyboard or game controller (joystick) with mouse and multimedia commands
X-keys Android app reads and writes programming on X-keys Plus units. X-keys buttons and pedals can send keyboard commands, mouse actions, game controller controls, multimedia commands, and touches or swipes. Programming is stored in the X-keys on board memory and can easily be copied to multiple units.
X-keys Plus units currently include XK-24 Android, XK-3 Android, and USB 12 Switch Interface. Many Android devices require a USB A to USB Mini adapter and not all Android devices support USB input.
Learn more and download X-keys Android here
Mobile Developer Resources
- Integrate X-keys with your app
- Use a communication channel independent of other input
- No collision of programmed X-keys with Android standard features
- Retain functionality of on-screen keyboard
Method 1
Use our X-keys Android app to set up all keys on the X-keys as game controller buttons with values 17 and higher. This prevents them from conflicting with keyboard, mouse, or game controller input from other input devices. Then incorporate a dispatchKeyEvent to "read" these buttons. This is easy on Android and, unlike Windows, you get the sending device so you know it is an X-keys sending the button event. See the free code samples: PIGameController and PIJoyKeys.
Method 2
Read and/or write X-keys USB HID data reports directly. This method will allow the developer complete control over the indicator and backlighting LEDs. See X-keys SDK for Android for free code samples for detecting and reading/writing the state of all controls and indicators.
iOS Support
We have successfully tested USB input to iOS via the USB Camera adapter. A powered hub must be placed between the X-keys and iOS device. The X-keys must be preprogrammed on an Android device or a PC.
Keyboard
All standard USB keyboard input. The on-screen keyboard can be toggled by programming a multimedia Eject command (see below).
Multimedia
- Play/Pause
- Volume Up
- Volume Down
- Next Track
- Previous Track
- Home
- Eject (toggles on-screen keyboard)
At the time of this publication iOS does not support mouse or game controller input via USB.
Compatibility
We have compiled a list of compatible devices that work with our Mobiles keyboards, switches and pedals.
Working
- Nexus 7
- Samsung Galazy Tab 2
- Dopo D7015
- M6 Smart TV
- iPad Mini - requires a camera adapter and powered USB hub and needs to be programmed on a PC or Android
Not Working
- Kindle
- Nexus 4
**If you don't see your device on listed above, it does not mean it will not work, it just means we have no tested it.
Questions to ask:
- Does my device support USB host/OTG?
- Can the Device support keyboards or game pads connected to its USB port?
- If the answer is yes to either of these questions, then the X-keys Mobile devices should work.
