Are eletronic chess boards worth it ?

@Rsava you mention the Evo built in Android tablet is WiFi only.

My Android tablet is WiFi only too but it does have a USB-C interface. I have no problems plugging in a USB-C to ethernet network adapter into my tablet. This gives my tablet the fastest full internet speed in my home network.

I would be curious to know if the Evo could also use a USB-C to ethernet network adapter?

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Interesting. I do not have one of those (only USB-A to ethernet), but I will look for one this weekend and if I find one, will test and report back.

ok thanks.

In case you want to also use your USB-A to ethernet:

A USB-C to USB 3.0 Type-A adaptor connected to a USB-A to ethernet also works just fine on my Android Tablet too.

Oh, ok, I have one of those.

Do you also have a straight UCB-C to ethernet? I bought a combo (because I can always throw it in my work bag, never know when I might need it on site).

Yes, I have a draw full of adapters because you never know when you're going to need one!

@KingMoored - Robert, it does not appear to work, I can get my new adapter to work on my Galaxy Tab S7+ and get the ethernet connection working but the Evo does not recognize the USB connection for me to configure it.

Ok, thanks for testing it out. The Evo USB must be charge only. Chessnut must have pared-down their Android OS with no unnecessary hardware features. They probably do that to give maximize battery life to the Evo. This is good to know.

The Evo is an Android device. You need to turn on Developer mode from the About screen and then turn on USB Debugging from the Developer options screen to access it via USB. Anybody familiar enough with working on Android should know the details on how to do those steps. Anybody who doesn't shouldn't be playing in those menus so I won't say more here!

I think you might need to turn off debugging and developer mode to use the Evo normally but can't remember now.

I know how to do those steps. I did not need to do that with my Tab S7+ nor are they currently turned on for that device currently, yet the USB Ethernet worked fine.

I will try again on the Evo with your suggestions.

It might not help, but it's worth a try!

Always worth a try, and with advice from one of the masters, it is definitely worth looking into.

Ooooow... <blushing>

Not really a master, I've just spent five years programming drivers for these boards and have accumulated some knowledge about them.

Think I might settle on the Chessnut Pro.

Just a quick question, I travel a lot and I was considering the SquareOff pro for a moment - is it really that bad ? I hear the board isn't smooth and there are little bumps between the squares.

As well as you have to pay ON TOP OF THE BOARD PRICE to play against 1500+ rated bots ? What ?

Some??? Haha!! That would be an understatement. Your drivers helped me use my early boards for so much with Lucas and other apps. I appreciate all you have done for the chess community.

Yes, you can feel the wires underneath the board. It is fairly smooth though.

I personally do not like it and they seemed to have gone on a different direction from what they originally intended with it.

As well as you have to pay ON TOP OF THE BOARD PRICE to play against 1500+ rated bots ? What ?

Did not know about that part of it. Have not used it in a while other than to test what updates they have pushed out and to see if it has gotten any better.

For what it is worth, the Evo is not really a "travel board" unless you travel by car. I would never attempt to carry it on a plane. Maybe if I was going by train I might bring it, but it is not, in my opinion, a travel board like most think of travel boards. I would take a Chessnut Air (and have) long before i would lug my Evo on an airplane. I have taken the Evo by car and it was ok.

I didn't have to do anything special on my tablet either to get a wired Ethernet connection through USB. It would be great if the Evo could do this too for instances when WiFi is not available.

But honestly, where would you be where there is no WiFi or cell service for tethering? I know I am usually never without it unless I am driving in the middle of Missouri or West Virginia.

True!

I'm asking Chessnut on their FB page to see what they say. Maybe they can add USB to wired Ethernet connectivity in a future firmware update.