How to set up your Nokia N810:
1.(optional) update your firmware
note:
flashing the firmware will erase everything on your device, except for files placed on the mass memory card (ie dragged on to the device from the desktop). All installed apps will be erased. It's a good thing to do if your tablet is (a) brand new, or (b) not behaving well, or (c) won't install some software which requires newer libraries (i.e. skype).
go to: http://tablets-dev.nokia.com/nokia_N810.php and download the latest build. right now it's: RX-44_DIABLO_5.2008.43-7_PR_COMBINED_MR0_ARM.bin
For mac users, I mirrored the os X GUI flasher program here:
http://hayesraffle.com/n810/osX-Flasher.zip
2. install some applications, using the app manager
open app manager and navigate through the menu to make the R&D tools visible
application manager > Tools > Application catalog > Maemo Extras Devel > uncheck the "disable" box
-openssh (client and server). please make the password "admin"
-personal launcher (allows you to make icons on the desktop that launch scripts or apps)
other (optional) useful applications:
-python (maemo-python-device-env)
-easy modules for python. high level access to camera, gui building, and other multimedia stuff.
-Jalimo, to run java applications
3. learn how to control n810 from your desktop machine,
i.e. establish an ssh tunnel to the n810:
Make sure the n810 is online. There is a wifi icon on the home screen. It should have bars lit.
launch settings > connection manager
get its IP address:
from connection manager, use the taskbar menu to go to: connection manager > Internet Connection > IP Address
copy down the ip address. e.g. mine is 10.66.37.28
from your pc, open a "terminal" application and open an ssh tunnel, e.g. from my mac I type
"ssh root@10.66.37.28"
now you can program directly on the device through ssh. If you want to geek out, you can use apt-get instead of the application manager.
4. copy files to/from the device:
use an sftp or ssh program (like Cyberduck or Fugu) to copy files to/from the device. use the device's IP address to connect to it.
by default, your files will be copied to /root.
It's often nice to view your files using the n810's "file manager" application, but your root folder is invisible to file manager. It's best to copy your files to /user/home/MyDocs.
Note that you may have to change file priviledges (i.e. type "chmod 777 filename" in the terminal) to actually access them from the default "user" account that is logged in to the GUI.
5. install USBControl,
to put the tablet in "host" or "OTG" modes. This allows you to plug normal USB devices (keyboard, arduino boards) into the device. ( http://maemo.org/downloads/product/OS2008/usbcontrol/ )
Install it from my mirror:
Open a browser window on your n810 and type in this address:
http://hayesraffle.com/n810/usbcontrol.deb
choose "open" from the dialog box. App manager should install it for you.
How to use it:
It will show up in the "extras" menu on the device.
"Host" mode is what you use when the arduino is attached.
"OTG" mode is what you normally use.
alternately, you can copy the file to your desktop with this link:
http://hayesraffle.com/n810/usbcontrol.deb.zip
then use your favorite sftp client to copy it to this folder on the tablet: /user/home/MyDocs
then use the "file manager" application to navigate to this file. Double click on it to install.
6. learn how to become root from the gui (just fyi)
launch x-terminal and type ssh root@localhost. Then enter your password, "admin"
7. Now set up flash and arduino to talk to each other: