4

I have a couple of questions that I'd love to have answered on SE about modifying Android hardware; however, those questions aren't on topic at Android (which is only about "Android the platform"), nor on SuperUser (don't even think about picking up a soldering iron!).

Is there a Stack Exchange site where modifying Android hardware is on-topic?

Improve this question
12
  • What component(s) are you looking to modify? The reason I ask is that it may be possible to word the questions around those specific components in a way that could be on topic on other sites.
    – user273376
    Commented Nov 30, 2014 at 1:27
  • 2
    Poke around electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/android and see if those are the kinds of things you are interested in.
    – jonsca
    Commented Nov 30, 2014 at 1:28
  • 1
    @SabreTooth Right now, adding a GPS transmitter/receiver to my $20 tablet, possibly also adding more memory.
    – MTL
    Commented Nov 30, 2014 at 1:32
  • @jonsca Thanks for the recommendation. Those do look like the kind of question that I'm interested in. I've never used that site, though....do they write their answers so that newbies to the field (like myself) could understand, or are they more of a professionals-only place?
    – MTL
    Commented Nov 30, 2014 at 1:35
  • I agree with @jonsca, EE.SE maybe the way to go - now you got me intrigued, as I am performing similar experiments but with different components.
    – user273376
    Commented Nov 30, 2014 at 1:38
  • 1
    @Shokhet I'm more on the lurker side there, so I don't know for sure, but from my observations, the top users are more inclined to answer if you've done some prep work first.
    – jonsca
    Commented Nov 30, 2014 at 1:39
  • @jonsca Got it. I might do some research outside of the network (is that even possible???), and then ask there later if I need extra help.
    – MTL
    Commented Nov 30, 2014 at 1:40
  • @SabreTooth What are you playing around with?
    – MTL
    Commented Nov 30, 2014 at 1:41
  • The image sensor mainly
    – user273376
    Commented Nov 30, 2014 at 1:41
  • The consensus here seems to be EE.SE. @jonsca, why don't you write that up as an answer?
    – MTL
    Commented Nov 30, 2014 at 1:42
  • @SabreTooth Good luck!
    – MTL
    Commented Nov 30, 2014 at 1:42
  • 1
    @SabreTooth I've discovered that EE.SE is not the place to ask about consumer electronics, which was what I had intended to do. I'm not sure if your plan has the same problem, but I figured it couldn't hurt to let you know :)
    – MTL
    Commented Jan 25, 2015 at 4:19

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3

Electrical Engineering has a fairly active Android tag.

As with any other site on SE, it's important to do some background research before posting your question. For example, being able to refer to specifics on the datasheets (usually available as PDFs from the chip manufacturers) is important for any type of troubleshooting, and is where the more experienced users will refer you to if you haven't referenced the documentation already.

As mentioned in the comments:

Right now, adding a GPS transmitter/receiver to my $20 tablet, possibly also adding more memory.

As an addendum regarding the above, "modifications" in this case should be changes to the actual circuitry and not consumer-grade add-ons for the platform. As in all cases, an inquiry on the site's Meta is the right way to go if the tour/help center is not definitive.

Improve this answer
6
  • I've discovered that EE.SE is not the place to ask about consumer electronics, which was what I had intended to do. I believe your answer is still correct, though perhaps this should be made clearer for the benefit of others.
    – MTL
    Commented Jan 25, 2015 at 4:19
  • @Shok That information should be in your question as well. It was "modifying hardware" that was the ambiguity here.
    – jonsca
    Commented Jan 25, 2015 at 5:28
  • You're right. The lack of clarity was my fault; I had mentioned what I was trying to do in the comments to the question, but the question probably should have been worded more clearly.
    – MTL
    Commented Jan 25, 2015 at 21:08
  • @Shokhet A moment after I wrote that I realized that you had mentioned it in the comments, but I got sidetracked last night and never clarified. No hard feelings, it's just an MSE answer! :)
    – jonsca
    Commented Jan 25, 2015 at 21:13
  • Also, my addendum is not to chastise anyone in particular, just advice for the next guy.
    – jonsca
    Commented Jan 25, 2015 at 21:19
  • I didn't take it as chastisement. Thanks for your answer :)
    – MTL
    Commented Jan 25, 2015 at 21:41

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .