PreCentral: CyanogenMod 10 for the TouchPad almost ready for prime time
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By pivotCE
Well, it’s 2024 and technology continues to advance. The TouchPad isn’t new by any means, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be slightly modernized to be more convenient today. Specifically, it is entirely possible to convert the TouchPad’s Micro USB port to USB C for charging and USB storage access. I’ll show you how.
This is a tough mod which requires micro-soldering and modifying a PCB which you will have a hard time sourcing a replacement for without buying another TouchPad. Proceed at your own peril.
Tools for the Job
To do this mod you’ll need a few things for tools and parts. Here’s a list of what I used:
– Needle nose pliers/tweezers
– USB C boards with 5.1k resistors
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– Soldering iron, solder, flux and a hot air station
– Flush cuts
– Dremel with cutting or sanding wheel
– 28 AWG wire or smaller. 30 AWG is pretty good but any wire around 0.25mm to 0.5mm should work.
– Small file and screwdriver set
– Painter’s and kapton tape
– Metal spudger Disassemble the TouchPad
This is where you’re going to want to get that metal spudger out and be very careful not to snap clips. I can’t explain it better than iFixit already did so go check out their and then come back here.
Modify the USB Connector Board by Removing the Micro Port
There are a few ways to remove the Micro USB port. I added a bunch of flux and coated all the connectors in fresh leaded solder and then used a hot air station set to 800 degrees while wiggling the port very slightly with needle nose pliers. You don’t have to be particularly careful here so if you want to cut the port off with the dremel or the flush cuts or just rip it off with the pliers, (I don’t recommend it but…) that’s fine. We’re not using the pads it’s soldered to anyway. You should STILL be careful not to crack the board. Go slow. Be patient.
Trim the USB C Board
We need to expose the USB C port a bit on this board so let’s cut it down. Grab the painter’s tape and flip the USB C board upside down. You’ll see a small trace between the front and rear anchor points on the right side, which we don’t want to cut. Mark the tape just on the other side of that trace like I did. Dremel along the tape line until you get to the port. You can then use needle nose pliers, a flat file, and/or flush cuts to remove the rest of the board from the bottom of the port.
Prepare the USB Connector Board for the USB C Port
We need to slide the port into the old space so grab the painter’s tape again and mark off the area I marked to make room for the USB C port. You can place the port up to it like I did and use that as a guide. Grab your dremel again or a similar tool and cut out what you marked off. When you’re done, the USB C port should slide easily into the groove. It will fit tighter when we add the kapton tape in a later step.
Make Room in the TouchPad for the Added Thickness of the USB C Board
The USB C board will sit underneath the USB connector board so we have to make room by trimming away the plastic underneath. For this you’ll need to use flush cuts or any other tool you have to chip away. You could use the dremel for this if you’d like. Be careful to not go beyond the first inner layer. Beyond that is the outer shell of the TouchPad. There’s no real method here, just cut out the screw posts and chip away. Use the pictures below as a guide.
Cut the USB C Hole from the Old Micro USB Hole
To open the micro USB hole enough to fit the USB C port, take a rounded file to the left and right of both sides and just file a little bit at at time. Use a small flat file to widen the top and bottom of the port. This process is just trial and error. File a little and then grab the USB C board to test. The port will need to fit inside the hole a bit so you can push it through from the outside to test the hole size if that’s easier. Note: the USB C board will likely not rest on the bottom of the TouchPad and will float a little. This is good because it makes room for your wires and a little kapton tape underneath.
Tape the USB C Board
Since we hacked away at the USB connector board it’s possible we’ve provided the perfect environment for creating shorts! Oh no! So get out the kapton tape because we’re going to add a layer on both sides. You’ll see how I did it on one side below. Do it on both sides. You’ll also notice how I did not cover those two small square contacts just at the bottom of the tape. That’s because we need them.
Where To Get Power and Data
You’ll see the diagrams below which I’ve marked with VBUS (power), data in, data out, and ground. Obviously the old port is gone and most if its pads, but I wanted to show that both sides of the board have the connections. You could possibly do this mod differently, and if you so choose, hopefully these help.
A quick note: this mod can be done with a 4-pin USB C port. That would give you power and data just like with the USB C board I’m using in this guide, however, a 4-pin USB C board will not charge with a USB C charger (ie USB 3.1). The board I’m using in this guide provides the ability to use any charger because it comes pre-built with 5.1k resistors wired to CC1 and CC2 to ground. This is the trick that tells the USB C chargers to send power to the device.
Solder the USB C Board into the USB Connector Board
This isn’t a “how to solder tutorial” so hit up youtube and find a good tutorial that works for you. In general though, use flux, pre-tin the VBUS, Ground, D-, and D+ pads on the USB C board as well as the points on the bottom of the USB connector board.
Now for the tricky part, I didn’t list it in the Tools section above, but it would really help to have magnification or a digital microscope for this. I have these things and I used both. You might have steadier hands and better eyes than me. The picture below was my first attempt of the three TouchPads I modded, and it’s not my best soldering work, but fundamentally, this is what yours should look like.
Put the Pieces Together
You can use a bit of kapton tape to secure the wires in place a bit more if you’d like but it’s not required. It won’t short since it’s only plastic underneath. This is all press fit into place, but if you’re uncomfortable with that, you can add a little hot glue under the board as you put it back into the TouchPad. You don’t have to put the metal shield back into place if you don’t want to. It’s all a pretty tightly fit and if you find the TouchPad screen isn’t as flush as you want, just leave the metal shield off. A little kapton tape right on top would be fine instead.
Congrats, You Now Have USB C
I did this mod on three TouchPads and each one works fine with any USB charger I could find, including USB C port having USB 3.1 chargers. I can also confirm the data connection works just like it should to connect via USB mode on PC. Sadly, this doesn’t do anything to stop webOS from telling you the charger you’re using isn’t the original TouchPad barrel charger, but you can make a custom cable to stop that which I’ll cover in a future article on pivotCE.
#webOS4ever
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By News Reporter
Company Announces Integration of Latest Intel Core Ultra Processor in the LG gram
Lineup at Intel Launch Event, Marking Giant Leap Forward for Personal Computing
SEOUL, Sep. 4, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) is excited to announce that its newest LG gram laptop featuring the Intel® Core Ultra processor (Series 2) will be showcased at the Intel Core Ultra Global Launch Event from September 3-8. Renowned for its powerful performance and ultra-lightweight design, the LG gram series now integrates advanced AI capabilities powered by the latest Intel® Core Ultra processor. The LG gram 16 Pro, the first model to feature these new Intel processors, will be unveiled before its release at the end of 2024.
As the first on-device AI laptop from the LG gram series, it offers up to an impressive 48 neural processing unit (NPU) tera operations per second (TOPS), setting a new standard for AI PCs and providing the exceptional performance required for Copilot experiences.* Powered by the latest Intel® Core Ultra processor, the LG gram 16 Pro is now more efficient thanks to advanced AI functionalities such as productivity assistants, text and image creation and collaboration tools. What’s more, its extended battery life helps users handle tasks without worry.
The Intel® Core Ultra processor (Series 2) AI processor, which is three times more powerful than its predecessor, enhances a PC’s AI performance dramatically. With up to 48 NPU TOPS and up to 67 GPU TOPS, this next-gen processor offers up to 120 total platform TOPS to unlock new levels of productivity while maximizing user convenience. The new LG gram offers a smoother user experience, since the Intel® Core Ultra processor is optimized for Windows PCs.
“Together with LG, we are bringing to market the next generation of AI PCs that offer incredible performance, power efficiency and security capabilities for consumers. The LG gram 16 is a great example of an ultra-lightweight AI PC, powered by the all-new Intel® Core Ultra processor, that delivers an outstanding and seamless experience for creators, working professionals and everyday users. We’re thrilled for people to experience the wide-ranging benefits these AI PCs can enable,” said Michelle Johnston Holthaus, Intel executive vice president and general manager, Client Computing Group.
“Building on LG gram’s renowned ultra-lightweight design and powerful functionality, our newest model integrates Intel’s exceptional AI technology to push the boundaries of on-device AI laptops,” said YS Lee, vice president and head of the IT business unit of LG Business Solutions Company. “The enhanced performance and productivity offered by the latest Intel® Core Ultra processor is poised to enrich the LG gram user experience with AI, ushering in a new era of on-device AI laptops.”
In line with the company’s AI vision of “Affectionate Intelligence,” an approach that seeks to understand customer needs and deliver differentiated experiences that go beyond traditional AI, LG plans to add more AI processor models to its gram lineup following the introduction of the LG gram 16 Pro with Intel® Core Ultra processors (Series 2).
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* Rolling out gradually in preview within the latest update to Windows 11 in select global markets. Timing of availability varies by device and market. Learn more here: aka.ms/WindowsAIFeatures.
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By C3_User
I love the Always Ready feature on my LG C3. I've configured it to include the beautiful wallpaper options and it works great with the LG remote.
However, I use a Chromecast remote to control my TV and my Chromecast together. I've configured the Chromecast power button to control the TV's power. Unfortunately, the Chromecast remote's power button turns the TV off instead of switching it to Always Ready mode.
LG support agent told me the Chromecast remote is "probably not fully compatible" with the feature.
Does anyone here have a solution?
If not, it would be great if someone from LG put this in as a feature request.
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By News Reporter
BINGE Korea on LG Channels to Give LG Smart TV Owners in 23 Countries
Over 40 Channels of Top-Quality Korean Content to Enjoy
SEOUL, July 11, 2023 — LG Electronics’ (LG) exclusive, free streaming service, LG Channels, is set to present LG Smart TV owners in Australia, Europe and Latin America1 with a vast selection of compelling K-content, which has gained growing popularity worldwide. Spanning multiple genres and offering something for every age and taste, BINGE Korea is the latest collaboration between LG and South Korea-based digital content and platform distribution company, NEW ID, the first in-house venture of the media group NEXT ENTERTAINMENT WORLD (NEW).
In June 2023, LG launched YTN on LG Channels in Australia, Brazil, Mexico and Europe, bringing live news directly from Korea’s first 24-hour news service to a global audience.
Building on this, LG is expanding the selection of K-content available on LG Channels with the introduction of BINGE Korea. LG Smart TV users in the applicable markets will have more than 40 channels at their disposal, allowing them to watch Korean news, entertainment and lifestyle shows, K-dramas, K-pop, animation and more – all without a paid subscription. Whatever their preferences or interests, users will find a wealth of great viewing choices on the new home of K-content on LG Channels.
Popular Korean TV shows like Running Man, the beloved SBS series that offers friendly competition and laughs as 2 teams compete to win missions – often involving well-known Korean landmarks – are available to watch. Coming in July, LG is proud to present a collection of K-dramas that includes historical favorites, such as The Nokdu Flower, and iconic series set in modern-day Korea, such as The Heirs. The latest wave of K-content to arrive on LG Channels will also feature the NEW KMOVIES channel from NEW ID and an exciting lineup of SLL drama titles.
LG Channels has become a go-to hub for K-pop enthusiasts around the world, enabling them to watch their favorite pop stars perform on the large screens of LG’s Smart TVs. Among the must-see shows users can now tune into is Inkigayo, SBS’s weekly Korean music ranking program which features the hottest K-pop artists of the moment. They can also head to the NEW KPOP channel for a variety of K-Pop TV shows boasting music videos and live performances, as well as reality shows, K-dramas and documentaries.
Younger viewers will be enthralled and engaged by the delightful collection of Korean children’s programs on LG Channels. From Toony Planet and Kongsuni, to Tobot and Robocar POLI, there are plenty of colorful characters and exciting adventures to captivate the youngest members of the household.
Many of the 40-plus K-content channels on BINGE Korea provide user-friendly options to enhance the viewing experience for overseas audiences, including content dubbed in English, and programming with subtitles available in English, Spanish, French or Italian.2
Viewers can access LG Channels by pressing the dedicated button on the Magic Remote or the LG Channels icon on their LG Smart TV’s home screen. This takes them to a full-page menu where they can learn all about the diverse channels on LG’s free, premium service. Every channel is assigned an IP- number which can be easily inputted using the number pad on the remote.
LG Channels can also be activated via antenna (over-the-air) by selecting the Live TV button on the main screen. This method allows viewers to browse both broadcast TV channels and LG Channels at the same time. BINGE Korea channels can be found starting at IP-800 in Australia, Europe and Latin America.3
LG Channels is LG’s exclusive free streaming service, offering a wide selection of premium live and on-demand programming, including movies, TV shows, news, sports, children’s programs and more. With an always growing number of channels in 27 markets globally, LG TV owners can easily discover their favorite programs by launching the LG Channels application on their LG TV’s webOS platform (LG Smart TV models 2016-present).
With its extensive and expanding library of premium K-content, LG Channels continues to take the lead in delivering the best of Korean news, entertainment and culture to viewers worldwide.
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1 Content available in sixteen markets in Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom) and six markets in Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru).
2 Subtitle language varies by title and country.
3 Viewers in Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom can launch LG Channels from the app, while viewers in other countries can also launch the channels over-the-air, by selecting Live TV and browsing the channel numbers.
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By News Reporter
Company Offering LG Smart TV Owners Worldwide Opportunity to Watch
Acclaimed Apple TV+ Series and Films for Free for Limited Time Only
SEOUL, Dec. 2, 2022 — LG Smart TV owners in over eighty countries will gain access to three months of Apple TV+ for free, supplying them with popular, award-winning content to enjoy over the holidays.1 Starting this week, the promotion is available to new Apple TV+ subscribers and applies to all compatible 4K and 8K LG Smart TV models from 2018 to 2022 running webOS 4.0 to webOS 2022. To redeem this offer, users must access the Apple TV+ app via a compatible LG Smart TV and follow the redemption instructions.2
With Apple TV+, LG Smart TV owners can enjoy premium Apple Original drama and comedy series, feature films, documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, including this year’s Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA,” record-breaking Emmy Award winner “Ted Lasso,” holiday musical comedy “Spirited” and hit series such as “Bad Sisters,” “Slow Horses” and many more, as well as live sports, beginning with “Friday Night Baseball” and Major League Soccer matches coming in February 2023. After its launch in 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 280 wins and over 1,200 awards nominations.
LG Smart TVs leverage cutting-edge picture and sound technologies for stunning home entertainment experiences. The company’s industry-leading TVs employ Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos enhancing the immersive home entertainment experience, especially when streaming the Dolby mastered Apple TV+ titles.
To add even more convenience to the viewing experience provided by LG Smart TVs supporting webOS 4.0 or higher, viewers can use LG Magic Remote to point, click and scroll the app’s interface and utilize its built-in microphone to search, discover and start watching the high-quality content featured on Apple TV+ via simple voice commands.3 What’s more, webOS 22 supports personal profiles to deliver to each individual their own personalized viewing experience.
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1 Start date may vary by region. Offer ends January 31, 2023. Promotion applies to countries where Apple TV+ is available. Please check local details at
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2 Offer available with LG 4K and 8K TVs from 2018 to 2022. Offer ends January 31, 2023. Valid only for new subscribers to Apple TV+ in your region, age 13+. Limit one offer per TV and Apple ID. Plan automatically renews at your region’s price per month until cancelled. Requires iTunes/Apple Media Services account. Terms and Apple Privacy Policy apply; see the applicable terms at . Compatible products and services required. Cannot be combined with other offers providing access to the same service. Apple TV+ is a service mark of Apple Inc. Apple is not a participant or sponsor of this promotion.
3 Voice command available in twenty-two languages.
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