Horizontal Dock - Nexus One Accessories

Has anyone come up with a good method for a horizontal dock akin to the Droid's? I really prefer it.
I see we have dock connectors on the bottom. So something that slipped in sideways but hooked up to the bottom might be possible, but obviously it needs to be held in place well.
I've been considering getting a car dock and just keeping it sideways, but if there's a better plan, I'd love to hear it.

buy the car dock, stick it on your desk.

Red MacGregor said:
buy the car dock, stick it on your desk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Beat me to it. You could either rewire the car adapter to a wall plug or get a car charger adapter.

Ah, but how would you get it to start the Clock app instead of CarHome?

You can do that using Tasker. It's still in beta, not yet in the market, but available at http://tasker.dinglisch.net/

Related

Is the desktop dock worth it?

I'm thinking of buying a dock for my Nexus One through a friend who's currently in the US. The official one costs $45 while Innodock Jr from Seido ( http://www.seidioonline.com/product-p/crjhnx1-bkc.htm ) costs $29.95. There could be tax and shipping on top of those prices too.
I'm going to order a Case + Holster at http://www.seidioonline.com/product-p/bd2-hlcsr3hnx1-bk.htm ) which costs as much as the case + dock combo ( http://www.seidioonline.com/product-p/bd2-crjcsr3hnx1-bk.htm ). They cost US$49.95. Should I get the Case + Dock combo instead?
You think, in general, a dock is even worth spending for?
I like google's dock because I do not have to mate it with the USB port. So it is easier to just drop in and let it charge. If you want to be able to listen to music at your desk this is a good option.
OTOH the Innodock Jr. is set up to allow it to dock even if the phone is in a skin/case. The port is jointed to it moves back to rest against the dock but I would not call the mount firm. The benefit of the Innodock is it can be connected to your computer. This way the phone is upright while I am coding with it, which is easier than letting it lie on the desk.
I am hesitant to recommend the holster and case given the problems I have had with the bare phone holster. I seem to be the only one having the problem though so I would not let my experience dissuade you if protecting the phone with a case is a priority for you.
I would go with the google dock if you do not care about being plugged into your computer while docked. If you do want to be connected then I would go with the innodock jr. and an innocase, but no holster.
The Google Desktop is way better, i plugged it on my stereo and i have the Bluetooth on Nexus One Dock and i listen to my music or pandora without leaving my phone on the dock. i can change the songs with my N1 in my hand in 1 room and have it playing in the stereo in another. go with the dock, the bluetooth is worth it.
JanetPanic said:
I like google's dock because I do not have to mate it with the USB port. So it is easier to just drop in and let it charge. If you want to be able to listen to music at your desk this is a good option.
OTOH the Innodock Jr. is set up to allow it to dock even if the phone is in a skin/case. The port is jointed to it moves back to rest against the dock but I would not call the mount firm. The benefit of the Innodock is it can be connected to your computer. This way the phone is upright while I am coding with it, which is easier than letting it lie on the desk.
I am hesitant to recommend the holster and case given the problems I have had with the bare phone holster. I seem to be the only one having the problem though so I would not let my experience dissuade you if protecting the phone with a case is a priority for you.
I would go with the google dock if you do not care about being plugged into your computer while docked. If you do want to be connected then I would go with the innodock jr. and an innocase, but no holster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
What problem did you have with the holster?
laljr203 said:
The Google Desktop is way better, i plugged it on my stereo and i have the Bluetooth on Nexus One Dock and i listen to my music or pandora without leaving my phone on the dock. i can change the songs with my N1 in my hand in 1 room and have it playing in the stereo in another. go with the dock, the bluetooth is worth it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a really cool feature I didn't know about
if the google dock did data x'fer then i'd buy it.
Huey85 said:
if the google dock did data x'fer then i'd buy it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're not the only one that feels that way... but to be honest, how hard is it to plug into your computer with the usb cable and drag and drop files?
anthro said:
What problem did you have with the holster?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Every time I put the phone in the holster it turns the screen on. Again it is not something anyone else has reported though.
uansari1 said:
You're not the only one that feels that way... but to be honest, how hard is it to plug into your computer with the usb cable and drag and drop files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, but is the ability to play music from your phone worth the additional cost? My computer already has all my music and I can kick up pandora on the computer as easily as on the N1. It is a nice feature I grant, but I still find myself wishing the dock had skipped the bluetooth and cost less.
The lack of USB connector on the Google dock makes sense if you think about it. Google sees the cloud as the place for synchronization. So the dock reflects the lack of need for connection to the computer as a principal activity.
JanetPanic said:
Every time I put the phone in the holster it turns the screen on. Again it is not something anyone else has reported though.
True, but is the ability to play music from your phone worth the additional cost? My computer already has all my music and I can kick up pandora on the computer as easily as on the N1. It is a nice feature I grant, but I still find myself wishing the dock had skipped the bluetooth and cost less.
The lack of USB connector on the Google dock makes sense if you think about it. Google sees the cloud as the place for synchronization. So the dock reflects the lack of need for connection to the computer as a principal activity.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also a good point... I don't have cable, so I use an s-video into my bigscreen from my laptop, and my audio to my surround sound system. My primary interest in the dock was as a nightstand dock... similar to how the Droid's dock works. Their dock runs $30. I'd jump on a similar device for our phone in a second.
I wouldn't get the Seido dock for the simple reason that it only charges via usb. Remember, the Nexux One charges at 480mA from USB and at 980mA from the supplied charger. So this dock will take literally twice as long to charge your phone.
It all depends on what you wanna use it for, like for me, the Bluetooth is completely useless, I will never use my phone to listen to music in my room, its always through my computer which is connected to the surround sound. I only want a dock to use as a night stand and for the comfort of simply not connecting the usb cable everytime. So once someone (Our chinese friends )make a dock that only does that, I will buy it right away and it will probably cost like 10 Bucks only. So yea like someone else here mentioned, I wish they would have skipped the bluetooth option.
uansari1 said:
You're not the only one that feels that way... but to be honest, how hard is it to plug into your computer with the usb cable and drag and drop files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not hard. But to me, it's a matter of personal preference and convenience. I wouldn't be using the dock to BT audio.
For me, it'd be a more useful dock if it could charge and sync data. BT is just a bonus..
Huey85 said:
It's not hard. But to me, it's a matter of personal preference and convenience. I wouldn't be using the dock to BT audio.
For me, it'd be a more useful dock if it could charge and sync data. BT is just a bonus..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then it sounds like Seidio's dock is exactly what you're looking for.
I'm loving this little dock; it's very minimalist, shows off the phone nicely, charges quickly, and is integrated into the phone quite well.
I really like the options you have with the clock app; being able to drag the notifications bar down, shortcuts to music, gallery, home and alarms, super dim the screen, and weather.
When you leave it in the clock app for a bit, the screen turns to a digital clock, android green! I love that. A bit of a screen saver too. The hard buttons don't turn off though - not a big deal, just sort of hmm...strange?
I love listening to music on my computer's speakers via the bluetooth in the dock. The auto pairing is very neat, and happened flawlessly. You can still listen to music even if the phone is out of the dock, just manually connect to the dock in bluetooth settings. You can walk around with the phone in your hands, adjusting volume, changing songs, or even programs to play music.
My only real gripe is I wish the dock extended up behind the phone more, as if you tap the screen a little too hard, it has the propensity to fall out of the dock. Not a huge deal, since bluetooth is built in though.
All in all, I'm impressed, and quite content with my dock.
I would like to see the release of a dock that allows the phone to rest in landscape mode. This would be great since I prefer this view when viewing the clock and looks perfect on the night stand. Currently I just prop the N1 up against my lamp.
I do like the fact that Google's dock has BT which like others have stated is great for listening to music without leaving the phone docked. Not everyone's cup of tea, but if you have a good amount of music on your phone this is a plus. As for this docks lack of USB; it is a bit disappointing, but I've paired my N1 to my laptop and that's worked fine for now. Any real work I do to it is mostly at work via USB anyway.
Now I have seen an N1 dock somewhere that supports a spare battery ... lost the link so I can't share that. Though the battery life on the N1 has been great for me I wouldn't mind having a spare and being able to charge the device and an extra battery all at once.
Is it possible to do data transfer over bluetooth if your computer has bluetooth?
laztpn0i said:
Is it possible to do data transfer over bluetooth if your computer has bluetooth?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as u can mount your SD card, it should be possible.
Hi there,
can anybody tell me if the power adapter for the dock is 100 - 240V, please?
Thanks a lot
ditsch said:
Hi there,
can anybody tell me if the power adapter for the dock is 100 - 240V, please?
Thanks a lot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed it is.
A little late my answer, but thanks a lot
I have to be honest I am not impressed with the dock... sure it looks nice and the bluetooth streaming is cool but even if mine worked perfectly (It seems to be faulty as it won't charge unless I wiggle the phone around and then stops after 10 seconds)
- the phone slips out if I touch it anywhere - it must be the most unsafe dock ever. Forget using the phone in the dock. It won't stay in it if you press it....

headphones don't work with the dock?

Hi,
So I've been trying to use my Epic like I used to use the Evo. The Epic's dock is the best substitute for the Evo's kickstand. Unfortunately, you can't plug your headphones into the normal headphone jack when the phone is connected do the dock. Instead there is a headphone jack on the back of the dock. When watching a movie with my headphones plugged into that jack, the sound still comes from the phone and NOT my headphones.
Anyone else experience this? Any solutions?
The tiny little piece of paper (yeah, annoying) they gave us with it states that it won't be functional until we get Android 2.2.
othan1 said:
The tiny little piece of paper (yeah, annoying) they gave us with it states that it won't be functional until we get Android 2.2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SIIIIIIIIIIGH.
I should probably read this stuff. I just expect things to work. Silly me
Don't worry, I almost threw it out assuming it was just a stupid warranty paper like everything has.
But after reading it, it does give you some nifty docking software to download. Now my phone is an excellent bedside clock.
Thats dissapointing, i was thinking of getting a dock but i really need for headphones to work, i guess ill just have to go with a DIY custom dock.
I grabbed both the home dock and the extra battery charger; the former works great except for headphones, and the latter has a groove in it for a dock. The groove doesn't fit the phone unless you open the keyboard, but it works fairly nicely as a portable dock / kickstand replacement, I think.
I'd still prefer a kickstand (especially one like my N810 had), but I think this is the closest we'll get...
Well, I just connected through the line jack on the Dock through my home theater and it just doesn't do anything. Now I see whats the problem... Great.
ldrn said:
I grabbed both the home dock and the extra battery charger; the former works great except for headphones, and the latter has a groove in it for a dock. The groove doesn't fit the phone unless you open the keyboard, but it works fairly nicely as a portable dock / kickstand replacement, I think.
I'd still prefer a kickstand (especially one like my N810 had), but I think this is the closest we'll get...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For all you folks that have the travel charger...open the lid and then lean your Epic into the groove. The open lid serves to keep the phone forward Facing in either portrait or landscape mode while still charging your spare battery. FYI. And you still have full access to your headphone jack.
HAXSUNG GAL said:
For all you folks that have the travel charger...open the lid and then lean your Epic into the groove. The open lid serves to keep the phone forward Facing in either portrait or landscape mode while still charging your spare battery. FYI. And you still have full access to your headphone jack.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
* Smacks face * I can't believe I missed that. Thanks!
you're welcome! but I have to give thanks where thanks is due....a Samsung rep that taught the Sprint sales staff that nifty trick at the Los Angeles event premiering the phone...
Volume rocker turns off sound???
I can't put the Epic into the dock to watch a movie without the dock hitting the volume rocker and it mutes the sound. Anyone have a solution?
dws51 said:
I can't put the Epic into the dock to watch a movie without the dock hitting the volume rocker and it mutes the sound. Anyone have a solution?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Phone charm. The string is enough to keep it from hitting the buttons.
Alternatively, while the phone is docked (yet, for some reason ONLY while the phone is docked...) you can hit Fn+Left to raise the volume and Fn+Right to lower it.

Adding a Magnet to car/desk dock to enable modes?

Our phones have a magnetic sensor and I'm assuming that's how Samsung's docks automatically pull up the car/desk dock apps. So does anyone know what type of magnets (if this is how it works) and where they would need to be placed if you wanted to either mod a 3rd party dock or make your own?
Just do what i did with my old droid. I used the magnet.out of a phone holster, i ran it over the back till it activated, i marked the spot and made a cradle. The opposite side of the magnet should activate the.other mode......,, ie positive turned on car dock, negative turned on desk clock.
justin94 said:
Just do what i did with my old droid. I used the magnet.out of a phone holster, i ran it over the back till it activated, i marked the spot and made a cradle. The opposite side of the magnet should activate the.other mode......,, ie positive turned on car dock, negative turned on desk clock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guessing I need to use a weak one ha
Sent from my sch-i500 Showcase using XDA app
I tried it this morning and i couldn't find that sweet spot for the magnet to activate
justin94 said:
I tried it this morning and i couldn't find that sweet spot for the magnet to activate
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm, maybe it's more to it than that on the galaxy?
Did you have your phone plugged in when you tried? That could be a condition..
There does not appear to be a magnet in the car dock, it seems the dock screen activation is linked to the micro usb connector on the dock. I checked the entire car dock with a paperclip and found no magnet. When you install the phone into the dock it will only activate the dock screen when you slide the top piece into the micro usb connector..
rich1az said:
There does not appear to be a magnet in the car dock, it seems the dock screen activation is linked to the micro usb connector on the dock. I checked the entire car dock with a paperclip and found no magnet. When you install the phone into the dock it will only activate the dock screen when you slide the top piece into the micro usb connector..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn samsung, why you wanna do that? I would have loved to buy both docks if they allowed the phone to be in a case
Sent from my sch-i500 Showcase using XDA app
Yeah, I just ordered a dock for the express purpose of opening it up and analyzing the special usb connection. I need to make a custom dock/cable for mounting in the dash of my car.
Buji said:
Yeah, I just ordered a dock for the express purpose of opening it up and analyzing the special usb connection. I need to make a custom dock/cable for mounting in the dash of my car.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool... please post your findings..
elijahblake said:
cool... please post your findings..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will do, but right now I can say this thing's not going to be easy to get into without tearing it up.
Buji said:
Will do, but right now I can say this thing's not going to be easy to get into without tearing it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe ya on that... I had the desk dock for a day or two, but took it back since I couldn't keep my case on it... I didn't really inspect it too much for screws though.

Observations: Photon Q Vehicle Dock

I had a hard time finding any info about the car dock before I purchased one. So, here are a few things that may be of use to someone:
The included power adapter is rated at 750ma
The dock has 2x USB outputs, but at 750ma it's only just enough power to maintain GPS, Bluetooth, Backlight and a data connection (with semi-weak signal). Charging 2 phones at once isn't recommended.
The dock has an identifier so the phone knows that it's a vehicle dock (as opposed to my old Photon 4G)
When you first drop the phone into the dock, it asks you what kind of dock you are using. The Home dock does the same thing. It remembers each dock via a dock ID of some sort.
The dock fits the phone extremely well, best one I've had so far.
Better than the Droid 2 and Photon 4G. The Photon Q drops in with little effort and holds in place VERY well.
N1XRR said:
When you first drop the phone into the dock, it asks you what kind of dock you are using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't do that with me....but then I only have (and have only used) the car dock. Maybe it requires docking with both docks before it prompts you?
PythonFanTN said:
It doesn't do that with me....but then I only have (and have only used) the car dock. Maybe it requires docking with both docks before it prompts you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possibly. It's been a few weeks since I first dropped the phone into the dock...
But, putting the phone into a new dock of the same type (at least the Home dock) prompts to request what type of dock is connected.
Anyone have any tips on where to find one under $50? I'm really missing having a good dock, but getting impatient for the price to go down.
benofilis said:
Anyone have any tips on where to find one under $50? I'm really missing having a good dock, but getting impatient for the price to go down.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.neobits.com/motorola_kpm5778q_vehicle_navigation_dock_for_p4013180.html?atc=gbs&gclid=CPmvoK3grLMCFRRbnAodbDEA9g
That's where I got mine. Not less than $50 but right at it counting shipping.
Looking at picking up the Costco deal on the Pho Q with free car dock after MIR, and wanted to confirm - I'm guessing that you can't use the dock with a case on the phone, correct? Looks like it wouldn't slide in properly.
Anyone try the dock with one of those Skinz "cases" which are really more like full body screen protector films?
I can't say from personal experience that you can use it with a case (mainly because I don't use cases nor have some little voice in my head compelling me that I absolutely must have one)....but I do know the dock comes with a little insert that you take out/don't use in the (no pun intended) 'case' of those who use cases.
cmags said:
Looking at picking up the Costco deal on the Pho Q with free car dock after MIR, and wanted to confirm - I'm guessing that you can't use the dock with a case on the phone, correct? Looks like it wouldn't slide in properly.
Anyone try the dock with one of those Skinz "cases" which are really more like full body screen protector films?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a plastic adapter that needs to be inserted in the dock for a "snug" fit. I suppose you could just leave the adapter off for a slightly looser fit and try it with the case on.
Thanks for the info. I've got mine ordered, and having not seen your replies, ordered one of those "full body screen protectors" to protect the sides of the phone so it would fit in the dock. But, if there's a removable insert to allow more room for a case, I may get an Otterbox. I'll have to see how much extra play room it comes with before committing to a case that may or may not fit.
Does the dock make the phone go in to vehicle mode? Is there a way to disable this so you can still fully operate the phone?
ericcire said:
Does the dock make the phone go in to vehicle mode? Is there a way to disable this so you can still fully operate the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does make it go into vehicle mode, but that doesn't change all that much. It just launches a custom launcher app with large horizontal icons and sets up bluetooth (if you want the app to do that) and audio-out to the dock. It also has a page of customizable launcher buttons, which is a big step up from other "Car Home" apps.
You can get back to the regular homescreen by just hitting the regular home button.
You could probably also use something like Tasker to customize what happens when you put it in the dock. (I use Tasker to explicitly launch the vehicle home app, because I want the audio out, *then* launch my audiobook app)
Has anyone tested mass storage access in the vehicle dock? Mine won´t work. The phone charges but the alpine headunit says no usb-device. With the same cable without the dock between the usb cable and the phone it works well.
....i have tested it on sony radio - it works, but on blaupunkt no - no media detected
I have had both the photon 4g and the lte with docks and i thought the old one was a bit better built but the new one does fit well. On mine whenever you hit the home button when in the dock it went to car home not your normal home screen but if you run a third party launcher you can change that. I noticed that the charger that comes with it doesnt always have enough juice to charge it if you are in an area of weak signal with gps running so i swapped the charger with a 2A one that i used for my tablet. Never have a problem now and my phone will go from 70% batter to almost full in my 30 min drive home from work.
Hope it helps.
I thought I might ask here before opening a new thread.... Anyone know what protective cases are compatible with the dock?
I (like many) prefer otterbox cases. But with my last phone the Otterbox case blocked the data connector to the vehicle dock.
Anyone tried the otterbox case with the dock? or any recommendations for other cases that ARE vehicle dock compatible?
pir8man said:
I thought I might ask here before opening a new thread.... Anyone know what protective cases are compatible with the dock?
I (like many) prefer otterbox cases. But with my last phone the Otterbox case blocked the data connector to the vehicle dock.
Anyone tried the otterbox case with the dock? or any recommendations for other cases that ARE vehicle dock compatible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ottorbox is very tight even without the adapter plate (taking it out allows for a fatter phone) and the rubber flap blocks the ports and you cant fold it back or it doesnt fit...
Sent from my XT897 using xda premium
Mordannon said:
On mine whenever you hit the home button when in the dock it went to car home not your normal home screen but if you run a third party launcher you can change that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the newest/JB build, there's actually 2 home buttons...the middle right one goes back to vehicle dock home, but you can press the one on the lower lefthand corner to go back to regular phone home.
I am thinking about getting this phone ,I saw I another thread that the droid 3 desk dock works well withthis phone ,so would the droid 3 car dock also work?
Sent from my Droid 3 using xda app-developers app
Can anyone tell me if this dock's ability to launch the "car mode" is available in custom ROMs like CyanogenMod? I.e. is there custom software needed to enable this functionality, or is it part of stock Android?
Speedraca said:
Can anyone tell me if this dock's ability to launch the "car mode" is available in custom ROMs like CyanogenMod? I.e. is there custom software needed to enable this functionality, or is it part of stock Android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The ability is there, the car mode is detected and signalled properly in CM10.1, but there is no car home/launcher app installed as part of pure AOSP/CM jellybean system installation - you have to install some car home app from play market so it's launched automatically when the phone enters the car dock.

[Q] Dock for Car

Hey guys,
i need some help / ideas for the best solution for my "docking"-problem in my car.
I have a bmw and since there are no snap-in adapters for htc i have to go over audiojack for listening music with spotify and i can't just put it to the place where the audiojack is because i have to control music with the touchscreen (iDrive 1 so no bt-audioplayback/control...).
Now i got 2 problems:
1. the cable looks ugly when its plugged in the phone and
2. i have no idea where to place my holder because every place i put the ugly holder the car looks cheapy.
So, my idea is to go over the pogo-pins!
Yeah pogo-pins but i don't know the assignment of the pins so the solution would be the cr s650 dock.
BUT! i think i my car won't be able to provide enough power through usb (is it possible to power the dock with usb?!).
The plan was to place the dock (please see the attachment) in the red circle and put the cable under the cover to the usb charger and the audiojack.
And also i have to modify the dock so i can plug in a jack into the dock or just solder a cable or whatever...
So my questions are, do you think this will work? And what problems i will have implementing this? Any other better ideas maybe?
Thanks for help and sorry for my bad english i think
No ideas?
Sorry if this post comes to early
Clake said:
No ideas?
Sorry if this post comes to early
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea about the pogo pin dock, but I would avoid making any permanent modifications to a BMW and deal with the ugly look...it will decrease the resale value...you could always take the dock down when not in use (which is what I do)
Regarding the pogo dock, Make sure that the phone stays still and will not fall off the dock with some hard driving.
Not the prettiest solution, but I use this: http://www.amazon.com/Mountek-nGroo...1131802&sr=8-1&keywords=cd+player+phone+mount
and just hard wired a power cable behind the dash (as to not have wires all over coming from my cig lighter)
The reason I went for that dock is because the phone is a lot closer and more accessible vs mounted to the windshield or elsewhere...also, regarding your proposed placement: having it down by the gear shift while driving would be pretty disorienting to me using GPS

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