Mame4Droid Controller

[EssexMame]

I recently installed mame4droid onto my Kindle Fire HD. It's not in the Amazon app store but I was able to easily find how to do this - put the apk file install for it onto the device via USB, run it through ESFileExplorer to install and putting the ROM's into the default folder. Much simpler than I expected and now means I have an arcade cabinet on every train to work I ever travel on (sort of...)

It also gives me an opportunity to try out the games and decide what I really, really want on my cabinet once built (which would be helped by not spending the time playing the games, though in my defence I can't build the cabinet on my daily commute!)

The only problem is the touchscreen controls. Whilst they are as good as any, my fingers tend to move off and be pressing air just as I'm swooped on by the Galaga invaders or somesuch. So, is there a controller that will work well for this on Kindle (Android 3.0) that I can play on the train with the kindle on my lap (or even held held at an angle by the controller itself - something I've seen for phones but not tablets). Does anyone know if this exists and which are the better ones (if more than 1 exists). I'm in the UK so UK based/sold ones would be best but if it will work from the US and is the one I want/need then I'd be prepared to order and wait!

[05SRT4]

I did a quick search on amazon and I found some Bluetooth controls that claim they will work with android 3.0 here is one.

http://www.amazon.com/Playpad-Android-Bluetooth-PC-Mac-Linux/dp/B0092ZEIN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371561542&sr=8-1&keywords=bluetooth+gamepad

You may need to search for the UK site.

[EssexMame]

Thanks 05SRT4, I'd seen that one, but thought price might be a bit steep. its my only option at present though but I'm not sure how it will work on the train with the kindle on my lap. Some sort of attached holder would be perfect but the ones with that only seem to hold a phone...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Koolertron-Wireless-Bluetooth-Controller-Gamepad/dp/B00AF5QC02/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1371565483&sr=8-2&keywords=bluetooth+controller

[knave]

If you root your kindle HD you can pair a PS3 controller.

[ark_ader]

Get yourself a Zeemote for £6 off ebay.

Works a treat!

[EssexMame]

That might just be the one! Controller in one hand, hold the tablet in the other and away you go.

How many buttons does it have though?

Will be v good for pac man, donkey kong and the like with 0/1 button but  would struggle with Defender and Street Fighter I expect :-) That said, the buttons are still on the device and its the joystick that doesn't work so well. For £6-£12 I can at least try it out can't I :-)

Could go with this (for the train) and the full-on controller (Nyko) for where space isn't so limited :-)

[EssexMame]

Seems to have 4 buttons (somehow?!) so buttons won't be an issue outside of Street Fighter and the like anyway.

[ark_ader]

It works for me with the odd pacman or tempest.  Anything more exotic like SF then maybe not.

But as you say 6 nicker how can you go wrong?

[EssexMame]

Ordered off e-bay - £7 + £3 p&p. Its been dispatched so could be here tomorrow!

[EssexMame]

Well the Zeemote JS1 arrived but I can't get it to work with the kindle Fire HD and Mame4Droid. Has anyone managed to do this? I've got the zeemote Quick Start software and a HID controller software also but I can't seem to get Mame4Droid to work with it. I've set Mame4Droid controller to iCade, and set iCade in the Zeemote software also, turned on/synched the bluetooth but its not working yet.

[ark_ader]

Hi,

Yes I have been there before.

You need to go to the android store and get BluezIME.

This software acts as a handler for your zeemote.  When you install it go to Language and Input in Settings and select it.

Press the BluezIME configure tab and scan for the Zeemote.  Hold down the top button to invoke scanning on the Zeemote.

Once it has detected it and paired (if you have done this already) you will have to open up the browser and tap the URL space and hold your finger down until Android asks you which device you want to default for input.

Then just map away.

Like I said I have been there and done that and it might work for you but if it doesn't you can look at a JXD S7300 or JXD S5110.

Incidentially I was cruising around looking for an Atari to USB adapter and came across this by accident.  Actually I was looking for this similar device a few months ago before I bought the JXD S7300. 

It might be more up your street than the zeemote.

Let us know how you get on!

[EssexMame]

Thanks - will have a go later. Google had led me to bluezime but I hadn't yet gt it working with zeemote. Will try again now I know you've had success!

[EssexMame]

Pretty sure I've got bluezime and so on paired with the remote.

Where I'm struggling,is using the remote in name4 droid or indeed any app - I don't follow the hold down in url until I can choose the controller partly - does that work on kindle fire hd 7"?

[ark_ader]

Pretty much all android does this. Its dumb but it tells android what input device is active.  You dont have to do this later on when you switch on a BT keyboard. Go figure.

Maybe its different between ICS and jelly bean.  As you are basically mapping input controls.

I should get my S7300 in a couple of days.  I will do a review and maybe convince you getting one. 

[EssexMame]

I'd not seen "Bluez IME" in the keyboard options but have found it now.

For some reason though my bluetooth won't connect now so I can't see if I've sorted it - grrr!

[EssexMame]

Got there!

In Bluez IME, select device=Zeemote JS1, select device driver=Zeemote JS1, select IME=Bluez IME (scroll to top as its hidden initially)
In Mame4Droid Options/Settings - external controller=default, define keys for Player 1. I found the following suited best:

Joy Up/Down/Left/Right as the default - i.e. DPAD_UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT
Button B = A on the Zeemote
Button X = B on zeemote
Button A = C on zeemote
Button Y = D/on button on zeemote

All working now! At least for 2 button games,  3 and 4 button more awkward and 6 button won't happen so no street fighter (though can use L+R as buttons on the touch keypad I guess.

[EssexMame]

That was me un-setting UP in the Pacman "Input (this game)" menu in Mame4Droid whilst trying to set all this up, so fixed now.

Thought I'd post a few thoughts on the Zeemote JS1 now its working. It's neat and compact meaning it'll be no hardship to carry around with my kindle so I will use it at least.

It cost £7 + £3 P&P so its pretty well priced.

Once setup (which took a long time for the unsupported Amazon Kindle - see above!) with Bluez IME and Mame4Droid it is now simple to use - turn it on, it synchs via bluetooth automatically and  away you go (perhaps needing to switch to Bluez IME keyboard if you've switched back at any point to type on screen etc).

The unit is sturdy, though the joystick does feel a little fragile. It isn't ergonomic at all - it's slightly too small for the hand (mine at least) and the buttons aren't easy to hold all together - I hop from A to B button with 1 finger. It is playable though and certainly better than the onscreen controls where my fingers kept sliding away from the buttons leaving me adding coins just as I need to be shooting/running away/jumping!

The C (trigger position) button is for some reason recessed so you can't press it like a trigger with the finger holding underneath. For this reason I've set it up as COIN and D ( the top/on button) as START so I don't need any on-screen presses to play 0, 1 or 2 button games so most of the classics. This means I can be full screen Horizontally or Vertically and that is a big improvement.

Battery life seems good - all the setting up and playing over the last 2 days and the 2xAAA batteries are still going strong (these weren't supplied)

So, its perfect for some quick travel blasts of space invaders, pacman and Donkey Kong. Any longer play and it can get a bit tough to keep holding and any multi-button games are a no-no (unless perhaps combined with the onscreen touch controls). For a longer play at home, or on holiday perhaps I'd use a full-size controller but to be honest I'd feel a bit stupid doing that on a busy train whereas this hand controller is a bit more discreet. You do feel a few simple improvements (comfortable to hold, easy to press/better shaped buttons) would make it ideal however. Still, the best I came across as a 'travel/mini' controller for sure.

[dclark61]

Realizing that this discussion took place several months ago ....

I'm trying to use Bluez IME on my new Kindle Fire HDX.  When I click on "Select IME", I only see English as a Keyboard Language.  How do I enable Bluez IME?  The app says to access "Settings -> Language", which doesn't exist on the Kindle.  There is Settings -> Device -> Language, and there's Settings -> Keyboard -> Languages, but Bluez IME is not shown under either one.

Thanks in advance.

[ark_ader]

You have to use your browser and tap the URL and it will ask you which keyboard to use.  Select Bluez IME and you will have it working.  It is not enough to select in your options you have to invoke it on keyed entry.

If they keyboard is not listed, ensure you have a non corruptible (chances are slim) version, and that you have rebooted the device.  Once you have rebooted go into settings and select keyboard options and you will see it in the list.  Select it and go through the above procedure again.

Works similar to the wiimote if that helps.

[EssexMame]

I forget. Tapping the browser doesn't work on Kindle Fire HD I have however - the keyboard selection is done via the settings. Scroll up - BluezIME is at the top and it can be hidden?

It took a lot of non-intuitive setting up for me, but it is possible and I did get there - I'll refresh my memory tonight as I've not used it in a while.

[dclark61]

You have to use your browser and tap the URL and it will ask you which keyboard to use.  Select Bluez IME and you will have it working.  It is not enough to select in your options you have to invoke it on keyed entry.

I have the Silk Browser on my Kindle; when I tap the URL text box (is that what you mean?), it just prompts me to "Enter search term or URL" ... doesn't prompt me for a keyboard.

If they keyboard is not listed, ensure you have a non corruptible (chances are slim) version, and that you have rebooted the device.  Once you have rebooted go into settings and select keyboard options and you will see it in the list.  Select it and go through the above procedure again.

Works similar to the wiimote if that helps.

I have rebooted.  Under Settings -> Keyboards there's "Languages", "Keyboard Settings", and "Bluetooth Keyboard".   None of them contain anything about Bluez IME.

Thanks.

[dclark61]

I forget. Tapping the browser doesn't work on Kindle Fire HD I have however - the keyboard selection is done via the settings. Scroll up - BluezIME is at the top and it can be hidden?

It took a lot of non-intuitive setting up for me, but it is possible and I did get there - I'll refresh my memory tonight as I've not used it in a while.

Can't find Bluez IME anywhere under Settings.   

Thanks.

[EssexMame]

On my Kindle Fire HD:
Pull down the menu = Settings
Language & Keyboard --> Keyboard --> Keyboard. Your current one is selected and looks like it is top of the list BUT if you pull the list/scroll it down you will see other entries above - one of which is BluezIME - it is in alphabetical order so is top of the list. I have English (United Kingdom) selected but above it is English (Canada) and BluezIME.

That's assuming its all setup of course - have you installed the BluezIME app?

[dclark61]

On my Kindle Fire HD:
Pull down the menu = Settings
Language & Keyboard --> Keyboard --> Keyboard. Your current one is selected and looks like it is top of the list BUT if you pull the list/scroll it down you will see other entries above - one of which is BluezIME - it is in alphabetical order so is top of the list. I have English (United Kingdom) selected but above it is English (Canada) and BluezIME.

That's assuming its all setup of course - have you installed the BluezIME app?

Hey, thanks for your reply.

Maybe it's a Kindle Fire HDX issue ... I don't have a "Language & Keyboard" entry under Settings.  I have Keyboards -> Languages, Keyboard Settings, Bluetooth Keyboard.  I do have BluezIME installed, but it doesn't show up under Settings anywhere ... I've tried all the submenus etc.

Oh well, thanks for your help ...

[EssexMame]

I will say I took ages of fiddling and changing and tweaking - it wasn't easy. As a result I tried to document what I'd done in this thread (near the top). However, there was so much trial and error I don't fully know all I did and what made a difference and what didn't.

[dclark61]

I will say I took ages of fiddling and changing and tweaking - it wasn't easy. As a result I tried to document what I'd done in this thread (near the top). However, there was so much trial and error I don't fully know all I did and what made a difference and what didn't.

I'm wondering if there is some difference between the Kindle HD and HDX that makes BluezIME unusable on the HDX.  The fact that the Settings menus are different is interesting and might mean something ....

[ark_ader]

Kindle is not true Android.  It is a gimp and should be treated as an ebook reader, and not a proper tablet.

[dclark61]

Kindle is not true Android.  It is a gimp and should be treated as an ebook reader, and not a proper tablet.

Who cares if it isn't true Android?  The point of this thread isn't to get a pure, complete Android experience.

[ark_ader]

Kindle is not true Android.  It is a gimp and should be treated as an ebook reader, and not a proper tablet.

Who cares if it isn't true Android?  The point of this thread isn't to get a pure, complete Android experience.

Well it is if you want to get some compatibility on standard android devices.

I bought a MK808b recently and I have a similar problem.  If I use the Bluetooth the wifi kicks out and vice versa.  So I bought DroidMote to navigate via another tablet.  I also have Splashtop HD which you can control a PC's game on your tablet.  Essentially having a portable gaming machine which you can control via the tablet screen.  DroidMote has the same option to control another tablet via on screen joysticks.

So this can be another solution for those reading this thread, and looking for a virtual controller to use with their Android tablet or PC.

[EssexMame]

The ZeeRemote isn't a "standard android device" either - it is for phones - designed for Nokia mainly it seems from their marketing. We need BluezIME to get it working on even "pure andriod devices".

As for me, I do treat the kindle as an ebook reader (and a good one) but use it's other benefits - watching films, browsing the web and now playing a few Mame games which the original kindles don't offer (though they are lighter and better as an ebook reader itself).

The Fire does all I want from it and it's cheap too of course compared to many other tablets. Anyway, like dclark61 has said this isn't really the point of this thread, but to get ZeeRemote (and others?) working on the kindle and potentially other (pure and non-pure) Android devices. I'm lucky, it works for me-  Mr Clark isn't (yet) so lucky but perhaps someone can help him where I've failed :-)

[ark_ader]

Well in order to do that he needs an Android tablet that isn't gimped at inception.

Perhaps a wifi controller instead of a BT one might work or a USB controller?

[EssexMame]

Well, it works on the gimped Kindle Fire HD. Perhaps (or perhaps not) it will worked on the HDX also?