kindle 3 hardware hacking (micro usb & sd card)

damaru · 03-14-2012, 05:31 PM

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone moded their kindle 3. The first mod I am looking to experiment with is to change the kindle connector to a normal mini usb connection. I wouldn't think it's too hard and the pinout is almost the same - the mini connector cable are simply more available.

The second one would be a lot trickier if not imposible, but I was wondering if it has been done to add a micro sd card reader to the kindle 3? that would really kick some serious ass but would be probably quite hard.

Any other modder out there ? I searched trough the forum and mostly found software hack and no hardware hack atm.

edit

I found some discussion on the board that lead nowhere:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...t=94548&page=4

/edit
thanks!

ixtab · 03-14-2012, 06:05 PM

I suggest to ask this kind of questions in the developer's corner -- it'll probably get much more attention there.

geoffwood · 03-14-2012, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damaru

The first mod I am looking to experiment with is to change the kindle connector to a normal mini usb connection. I wouldn't think it's too hard and the pinout is almost the same - the mini connector cable are simply more available.

The stock connector is a Micro USB, which is rapidly becoming the standard connector on most new Cell Phones, ereaders and other small electronics.

Why spend the time and effort to switch to Mini USB, which seems to be dying out?

kevinp · 03-15-2012, 01:57 PM

Add a micro USB card reader? You're talking about changing the circuitry of the mainboard inside. I'm not an electronics engineer, but you would need to be one to do that! Then what, use a Dremel on the case? And all for a K3? Hardly seems worthwhile. I'm happy with my Kindle just the way it is.

NightGoat · 03-15-2012, 10:40 PM

This is so reminiscent of the old days (early 90s) of scanner radio hacking like restoring cellular reception, adding an S-meters.... It was all a lot of fun, but that aspect of the hobby died out when scanner radios became more "firmware" based like many electronics today.

Sadly, that sort of hacking for the layman isn't possible with today's devices, at least not on the hardware level. I doubt the circuitry is even there for an SD card, that would needlessly add to production cost if the Kindle were never intended to have one.

Andy_T · 03-16-2012, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damaru

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone moded their kindle 3. The first mod I am looking to experiment with is to change the kindle connector to a normal mini usb connection. I wouldn't think it's too hard and the pinout is almost the same - the mini connector cable are simply more available.

That does not seem so difficult:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...b%2Caps%2C1228

Best regards,
Andy

03-14-2012, 05:31 PM	#1
damaru Enthusiast Posts: 45 Karma: 6672 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: kindle	kindle 3 hardware hacking (micro usb & sd card) Hi there, I was wondering if anyone moded their kindle 3. The first mod I am looking to experiment with is to change the kindle connector to a normal mini usb connection. I wouldn't think it's too hard and the pinout is almost the same - the mini connector cable are simply more available. The second one would be a lot trickier if not imposible, but I was wondering if it has been done to add a micro sd card reader to the kindle 3? that would really kick some serious ass but would be probably quite hard. Any other modder out there ? I searched trough the forum and mostly found software hack and no hardware hack atm. edit I found some discussion on the board that lead nowhere: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...t=94548&page=4 /edit thanks! Last edited by damaru; 03-14-2012 at 05:59 PM.

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03-14-2012, 06:05 PM	#2
ixtab (offline) Posts: 2,907 Karma: 6736094 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: K3, K4, K5, KPW, KPW2	I suggest to ask this kind of questions in the developer's corner -- it'll probably get much more attention there.

03-15-2012, 01:57 PM	#4
kevinp Fanatic Posts: 582 Karma: 3549018 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan Device: Kindle Scribe, Kindle PW (10th & 11th gen); Fire HD 10	Add a micro USB card reader? You're talking about changing the circuitry of the mainboard inside. I'm not an electronics engineer, but you would need to be one to do that! Then what, use a Dremel on the case? And all for a K3? Hardly seems worthwhile. I'm happy with my Kindle just the way it is.

03-15-2012, 10:40 PM	#5
NightGoat Connoisseur Posts: 92 Karma: 39190 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Grand Rapids, MI USA Device: Kindle Oasis, DXG, and Kobo Aura One	This is so reminiscent of the old days (early 90s) of scanner radio hacking like restoring cellular reception, adding an S-meters.... It was all a lot of fun, but that aspect of the hobby died out when scanner radios became more "firmware" based like many electronics today. Sadly, that sort of hacking for the layman isn't possible with today's devices, at least not on the hardware level. I doubt the circuitry is even there for an SD card, that would needlessly add to production cost if the Kindle were never intended to have one.

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