Setting up Android on a smart mirror device.
Setting up Android on a smart mirror device.
I recently bought a Capstone Thin Cast smart mirror at a discount. It runs a custom Android 10 version without access to Google Play services, which makes it quite limited and raises security concerns. Since the company no longer exists, I decided to install stock Android instead to get more functionality. My main problem is that USB C power isn’t providing any data access through the port—it only supplies power. After taking it apart, I noticed there are other ports available, but none of them work with Windows. Any guidance or suggestions would be really helpful!
if there IS a way to access the bootloader and/or flash it, then you may have better luck asking on XDA. chances are though that data access has been removed and/or limited to a solder point on the board somewhere. and even if you can access the bootloader, there may not be any compatible android images for the needed drivers and such.
Typically, non-user serviceable devices need the factory image to be downloaded and saved onto an SD card using a specific file name. Once that’s done, the flashing process can begin. If the device already has a ROM version available, it’s likely already identified; otherwise, it may not be worth pursuing.
Stock Android isn't actually available in its current form. While AOSP exists, it's tailored for individual devices and likely won't function properly without modifications. Each manufacturer adapts AOSP to their own hardware, so you'll probably need a custom ROM that matches your device.
It appears you're working with a single board computer connected to a power supply board and an HDMI display. The exact SBC model isn't clear, but some hidden details are present in the wiring. Running vanilla Android on an unknown device usually requires specific drivers for each component, which is difficult unless you know the hardware and the manufacturer provides support. If you enjoy tinkering with electronics, you can try replacing the SBC with another platform like a Raspberry Pi for different projects. However, if you prefer not to alter the system, using it as-is might be the best option.
Locating a functional Android image for your device seems unlikely. However, this board is quite standard, and the same system is also used for other Soma Android applications.
It looks like the options are limited unless you contact the manufacturer. In that case, I’m considering adding my own device and either replacing the monitor or adapting its use.