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TB Design Flaw - debating returning

Am I the only one who noticed the charging port is located below the kickstand on the opposite of the hinge side?
That means no charging when placed on a table in landscape mode, wow really HTC, how did that pass design? should have been placed on the bottom or on the hinge side of the kickstand. Now we can't charge our phone while watching a movie, etc. while using the kickstand.

They want you to buy the dock apparently. At least mine works with the stand going upside down. Not ideal, but it does stay up

Didn't think about using it upside down, I guess that will work, still bad design. But you are probably right, done to make us buy the dock. Thanks

You could also do what a guy in the store when i went to play with one, who noticed this with the floor models said... just have it on the edge of a table? Also not ideal, but would keep you from dropping $$ on the dock option. But if your seriously using your phone to watch movies in a place where you can charge it/use the stand you might want to consider getting the dock. I see the main benefit of the stand/phone for movies is when your on the go and likely can't plug it in anyway.

Then again if I use as you described wouldn't the video be upside down? I don't think it rotates to landscape that way, unless I am missing something

No offense, but you seriously didnt know what was an issue before buying the phone? Not trying to be a jerk, but it was pointed out in each and every review I read of the device starting back at CES. It is to accomodate charging while in the multimedia dock.

Same complaint here! Anyone know if L-shaped power pigtail connectors are available?
It seems to be designed for left-handed people, well except for the kickstand.

boingboingbilly said:
No offense, but you seriously didnt know what was an issue before buying the phone? Not trying to be a jerk, but it was pointed out in each and every review I read of the device starting back at CES. It is to accomodate charging while in the multimedia dock.
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I guess I overlooked it, wasn't concerned with the kickstand when looking at all the specs, bottom line is we should be able to view landscape with kickstand while charging. bad design.

Hurray for smart thinking
a right angle microusb cord...can be found on amazon for under $10
edit: wow i cant even post the link or pictures cause i need a minimum of eight posts....
whatever im sure you can search amazon also

Debating on disregarding everything awesome about this phone because you can't charge and use the kickstand at the same time? Wow.

Design flaw probably not, just a compromise. If you look at the hinge side of the kickstand it goes in deeper into the phone probably causing the design not to have enough space for the usb... maybe they could have put it on the bottom but i'm sure there was a reason. I work with designers and they are quite thoroughl. And from the HTC team video for the thunderbolt those guys look like they know what they are doing. You could return it and not have LTE or wait for a phone with LTE and no kickstand. Pick your flavor

rich12313 said:
Hurray for smart thinking
a right angle microusb cord...can be found on amazon for under $10
edit: wow i cant even post the link or pictures cause i need a minimum of eight posts....
whatever im sure you can search amazon also
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Yes, a right angle will reduce the offset, but it will still cause the phone to not set horizontally properly. Still gonna need something to prop up the other side of the phone.
You can always post a link without the http:// part, people can paste that into their browser.

been searching everywhere. Need a usb with a bend like this.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10419&cs_id=1041913&p_id=3733&seq=1&format=2
then it will be flatter than the other 90 degree cables

If I was a betting man I would say it is verizons fault. It seems like all of there recent phones have been like this. But maybe im wrong.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

1454 said:
If I was a betting man I would say it is verizons fault. It seems like all of there recent phones have been like this. But maybe im wrong.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Verizon has no say in that.
I didn't realize it would block the kickstand until I tried it, so it's annoying but whatever. Just another silly decision like putting the kickstand in front of the speak. Stuuuuupid.

If the port wasn't there the dock would be harder to make (you wouldn't be able to just set it in the dock without plugging anything in), and if it was on the volume rocker side you wouldn't have access to those buttons while docked. So it was a design compromise and a design that gives people an incentive to buy the dock, which is a win for the manufacturer. HTC makes phones and accessories to make money, not to give us a free standup movie player or alarm clock. I guess they could have put the port on the back of the phone somewhere but that would look silly and you wouldn't be able to lay it down and charge. I bought the dock for my OG droid and it was well worth the money, I'll surely be buying the dock for my bolt when it's available.

Chadwickity said:
If the port wasn't there the dock would be harder to make (you wouldn't be able to just set it in the dock without plugging anything in), and if it was on the volume rocker side you wouldn't have access to those buttons while docked. So it was a design compromise and a design that gives people an incentive to buy the dock, which is a win for the manufacturer. HTC makes phones and accessories to make money, not to give us a free standup movie player or alarm clock. I guess they could have put the port on the back of the phone somewhere but that would look silly and you wouldn't be able to lay it down and charge. I bought the dock for my OG droid and it was well worth the money, I'll surely be buying the dock for my bolt when it's available.
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All that makes sense, but HTC knows how to do docks right...look at the Nexus 1 and its dock (I have 2 of the docks). Separate charger pins that don't use the usb port (which is also a charger). Similar would have been a nice compromise.

If a kickstand was my main reason for purchasing this device, then I might consider a return. Sure, maybe it's a design flaw, but so far, if that's the only evil we have to deal with..
I'ma let you finish, but HTC makes the best 4G phones of all time.
..of all time.

All these little nit picky things confuse me, is someone actually buying this device to use as something other than a phone? Sure, it browses the internet, has 4g, checks facebook, takes nice pictures, is really fast, but I am sure the **** not sending a video out to my tv, or streaming to videos or you tube to my tv , or trying to play "real" video games, that is why I have a laptop or home pc, it's a phone. I must be confused.

fillyo said:
All these little nit picky things confuse me, is someone actually buying this device to use as something other than a phone? Sure, it browses the internet, has 4g, checks facebook, takes nice pictures, is really fast, but I am sure the **** not sending a video out to my tv, or streaming to videos or you tube to my tv , or trying to play "real" video games, that is why I have a laptop or home pc, it's a phone. I must be confused.
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I agree. Phone first everything else second. The kickstand isnt designed so you can watch full fledged movies. It is made for occassional use. If it really bothers you...buy the dock or return the TB and get Samsung Stealth which dont even have a kickstand.

[Q] Who plans on not purchasing the dock?

Just wanted to know who plans on not purchasing the dock(since that was the main selling point.) How do you think you will do without a usb port?

For me personally if it wasnt for the dock (full keyboard, extra battery and full size usb ports) id have just gotten the Tab 10.1 in june instead. Although its too bad they're using tegra 2 and not their own chips for the tab but oh well.

I'm not planning on it as of right now. Once I have it in my hands and start messing with it, I can reassess the need for it from there.

personally i would like the dock however it all depends upon the price of it here in the UK !!

I do not plan on it...anything i need that would normally be synced through a USB can be put on the device with bluetooth or pulled off my wireless network. I honestly dont think I will mind not having one (besides needing to charge on that darned proprietary cable!)

Once there is any temp. price drop that makes keyboard dock for $90 or so I can get ..other wise....big NO

I don't think I'm getting the dock either. Firstly the price is too high, if it was less than $100 i would have considered it, i have 3 laptops already so I dont need it to do any work or typing. I actually may even get rid of the transformer depending on how the samsung is reviewed since its lighter and thinner. If i end up keeping it for the long term I may get the dock later but only if it comes down in price.

One of the main reasons that I'm getting the Transformer over any of the other Android tablets is the keyboard dock (which isn't sold in the US yet!).
So I definitely plan on getting on when they start being sold here.

kxs783kms said:
How do you think you will do without a usb port?
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Supposedly there is an adaptor accessory that will provide a USB port.
Regards,
Dave

I most definitely WON'T buy the keyboard dock.
I simply don't need it - my house is already littered with computers (2 laptops, 2 desktops, 1 server).
I needed a lightweight, always-on, touch device, not another notebook

I don't plan on buying the dock anytime soon as mostly I will be using it to read books, browsing the internet and few other things which would not require dock. Moreover, the price of the dock is (errrmmm keyboard ) is just too much for me to come to terms with it. So, unless it drops down to like $79 bucks, it won't happen in next year or so.

One of my main uses for the Transformer is writing, and conducting the research for writing. I wanted a device that will last for a long, long time on a charge so that I can be ready to write in any situation. Also, I got tired of setting up my HP Envy notebook on the tray and hassling with the power cable every time I wanted to do some writing late at night in bed.
So, the dock is the entire point of buying the TF for me. A physical keyboard is necessary for long-form writing, of course. The extra battery means it'll last a full day of writing, so it'll always be available. And because there's also no heat and thus no fans, I don't have to mess with power cables and lap trays when I want to write at night. Just plop it right on top of the covers, no problem.
The dock will also serve as a cover (I imagine I'll pretty much carry it around with the dock most of the time, but I did buy a sleeve just in case) and a prop. Overall, I think the price is good enough for a 24.4Whr battery and portable charging station, with a hardwired keyboard (avoiding Bluetooth connectivity issues) and trackpad.
I know the thread was about people NOT buying it, but I thought I'd interject. Just 'cause I like talking about it, and need something to do until it arrives later today.

I will buy it, since I don't have a personal laptop (do have a work laptop, that's it) and only a high end desktop.
The long lasting battery and dual option (tablet and netbook) do it perfectly for me. Also, my 30" desktop monitor is IPS panel, so I won't go anything below that in picture quality.

Currently I have no interest. Not because I think it's a dumb idea, I just don't need it for a tablet, that's not how I'm using mine. I do appreciate the idea, though. If it cost less, I'd probably bite just to have the option handy, but $150 is too much for something I'd rarely use. I find that the on-screen keyboard is very good for the amount of typing I do on the Transformer (I do find myself hitting the keyboard minimize button by accident too much, I wish it wasn't underneath the shift key).

The dock should turn it into a Windows laptop, have the cpu etc in the dock.
I'd pay for that, but see no reason for a Honeycomb tablet dock unless it was $60 or so.

I'm not much interested in the keyboard dock. I've got a laptop with a 9 hr battery and bigger screen that weighs three pounds, I'd use that. I might be interested in the desktop dock thing that just charges it and holds it though, if the price was right and they ever became available.

If the dock without a keyboard has battery inside I might not buy the keyboard dock and go for the keyboardless dock.

i'm also torn between getting the dock or not. i do like the idea of extended battery and the ability to type with a physical keyboard. but then i already have my laptop for that. another thing is the price - $150 is kind of high. but then i already preordered it from amazon. lol. if anything it'll be a pure impulse buy or i end up forgetting that i preordered and then it ships. haha

Never intend of getting the keyboard in the first place, if I need a keyboard I will use my notebook.

The ASUS PadPhone clear picture

Looks freaking sweet.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/29/this-is-the-asus-padfone/#bXpulseX

That bulge in the back after docking is gonna feel weird.

i dont think so. i bet the phone gunna be light as a feather, but then again no one knows what ASUS has up there sleave untill tomorrow when they give a full preview on it

pics of the intire unit next to a transformer
http://androidcommunity.com/asus-padfone-press-photos-full-view-breaking-leak-20110529/

That looks odd. And heavy.

I think it's brilliant.

Hum, not really seeing the utility, should just get the phone you want, the tablet you want and then, invest in a good syncing apps? looks weird too...

I like the way it looks, I for one love this idea cause I'm always misplacing my phone and I'd rather have all my info and apps in 1 device, for instance if you're playing a game on the go, and you come home, you can plug it into the dock and play the same game, instead of having 2 different devices. I think it looks better than the TF. My only concern is price. Cause I don't really care about it being 1 mm thinner than an iPad or 1 mm thicker, unless its 2 inches thicker, I don't care, also don't care too much about weight as long as its under 2.5lbs. As long as it has a quality build, and the price isn't way out there than I am very interested in this.

eviltuna said:
I like the way it looks, I for one love this idea cause I'm always misplacing my phone and I'd rather have all my info and apps in 1 device, for instance if you're playing a game on the go, and you come home, you can plug it into the dock and play the same game, instead of having 2 different devices. I think it looks better than the TF. My only concern is price. Cause I don't really care about it being 1 mm thinner than an iPad or 1 mm thicker, unless its 2 inches thicker, I don't care, also don't care too much about weight as long as its under 2.5lbs. As long as it has a quality build, and the price isn't way out there than I am very interested in this.
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We dont know if the phone is going to be supplying the gpu and cpu just yet. I bet the tab will work with out the phone and cost 400$ and plugging in an optional phone will do sonething else to the tablet.

I'm also glad there focus is not all on how thin it is like samsung. Rather waist time on being diffrent than looking at apples notes and ideas to copy.

Perhaps the tablet works by itself, but popping in the phone provides 3G/4G connectivity and phone functionality (e.g., SMS, voicemail, taking calls through the tablet). If they went crazy and made it compatible with the Transformer dock, I'd be sold. Doesn't look like they did, however.
Very cool concept. Looks like Asus is working hard to be the real innovator in this new space.

There's no latching points on either of two longer sides, so no, it looks like it's not compatible with the Transformer's dock. That's a really pity, because I'd love a phone/tablet/netbook all-in-one. Having said that, I think something like that would be more suited to a Tegra 3 chip.

i think its a great look, use the phone for daily use pop in in a tab for leasure and movie watching and news reading. I mean come on no crazy latch on keyboard like the motorola atrix <--huge fail. If your gonna do a phone slash tab all in one this is the way to do it.

to bad the phone's not on the bottom of a keyboard dock for the TF

bill_d said:
to bad the phone's not on the bottom of a keyboard dock for the TF
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Wouldn't make much sence imo . Then your forced to carry everything to use the phone function

Not seeing a dock connector at the bottom. Shame. Bit of a waste. But I'd never buy a slate phone anyway regardless of its docking options.

Although I admire their innovation given that a lot of android devices end up the same, I think it looks dire. That bulge at the back sucks. The fact that your phone will be stuck in the tablet when you get a call sucks as well. Also I highly doubt this tablet is going to be running honeycomb, as it will almost certainly run from the phone's hardware, and that in itself is reason enough not to buy one if you ask me. I imagine it will end up being 2.2/2.3 with custom ui over the top like on the prototype transformer. Just my guess though.

cowballz69 said:
pics of the intire unit next to a transformer
http://androidcommunity.com/asus-padfone-press-photos-full-view-breaking-leak-20110529/
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Entire The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.

case0 said:
Although I admire their innovation given that a lot of android devices end up the same, I think it looks dire. That bulge at the back sucks. The fact that your phone will be stuck in the tablet when you get a call sucks as well. Also I highly doubt this tablet is going to be running honeycomb, as it will almost certainly run from the phone's hardware, and that in itself is reason enough not to buy one if you ask me. I imagine it will end up being 2.2/2.3 with custom ui over the top like on the prototype transformer. Just my guess though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U won't know yet till tomorrow yep

I used to live in the bay area back before cell towers provided internet service and we had to use these cool custom radios that were about the size of a walki-talkie to get our mobile internet. Our solution for integrating the mobile internet to our laptops was this really sweet invention called Velcro... I'm thinking if the folks at Asus had seen my 2001 laptop they might have opted for Velcro too instead of adding a glove box to a tablet.

Should I get a lapdock

I have the razr maxx and a macbook pro. However, my school does not have wifi, and the idea of the lapdock appeals to me. I wouldn't consider it at all if I hadn't seen webtop 3.0 (which looks epic!) I would probably get a lapdock 500 (heard bad things about the 100) However, a few people I know said that it's too much (not money, just too much stuff) and that I don't need it. I think it looks pretty epic though. Opinions?

rockaholic112 said:
I have the razr maxx and a macbook pro. However, my school does not have wifi, and the idea of the lapdock appeals to me. I wouldn't consider it at all if I hadn't seen webtop 3.0 (which looks epic!) I would probably get a lapdock 500 (heard bad things about the 100) However, a few people I know said that it's too much (not money, just too much stuff) and that I don't need it. I think it looks pretty epic though. Opinions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I say go for it. Especially since your school doesn't have WI-FI & for all the extra "stuff" your friends say you don't need.
Check out MOTOROLA'S website for all the functionality the LAPDOCK 500 offers & here @ XDA for all the various WEBTOP mods available, if you choose to go down that route.
If you are looking for something more like the LAPDOCK 100,I'd suggest getting the BIONIC LAPDOCK (& possibly a set of USB/HDMI cables to connect.the ports line up, but, may or may not need the cables due to the placement of the jacks on the RAZR MAXX).
The BIONIC LAPDOCK has an 11.6" screen vs 10.1" w/the LAPDOCK 100,yet retains the same outside dimensions, but, thinner.
Also, you can turn off the built-in mouse pad on the BIONIC LAPDOCK & use your own, if you choose to. I also have this LAPDOCK & they are quite inexpensive compared to the LAPDOCK 500. I definitely recommend getting the BIONIC LAPDOCK over the LAPDOCK 100.
If you have a VZW dealer nearby, I strongly suggest finding one that has the LAPDOCKS in stock & trying them out for yourself, & don't forget to ask about sale prices, especially on the BIONIC LAPDOCK, as VZW is currently offering it for $49.

The Lapdock really made the Atrix for me, and that was only Webtop 1.0.
If you'll get the use out of it, for sure. It's really just an extension of the phone, you can plug in a mouse and send texts/play Angry Birds from the desk at school.
The 500 is pricier, but worth the extra over the 100 for the trackpad and keyboard comfort alone

Will the laptop dock for the original Bionic work with the Atrix 2?

After extensive Google searches I could not find out if the Bionic lapdock works with the Atrix 2.
every search has come up with either how to modify the original atrix dock for the bionic or using a razr with
the bionic dock. Can someone please confirm if the Atrix 2 does indeed work with the Bionic lapdock
as this would save me from having to purchase a Atrix 2 lapdock and modifying it. Looking at the pins
the Atrix laptock is inverted where as the Bionic is the same orientation as the Atrix 2.

morphfxf said:
After extensive Google searches I could not find out if the Bionic lapdock works with the Atrix 2.
every search has come up with either how to modify the original atrix dock for the bionic or using a razr with
the bionic dock. Can someone please confirm if the Atrix 2 does indeed work with the Bionic lapdock
as this would save me from having to purchase a Atrix 2 lapdock and modifying it. Looking at the pins
the Atrix laptock is inverted where as the Bionic is the same orientation as the Atrix 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This might be helpful to you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1448198

Thanks but..
Co2Noss said:
This might be helpful to you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1448198
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But im not talking about the standard dock im talking about the lapdock where you plug in your phone and use it like a laptop. the dock and the lapdock have different specifications so I cant assume that because the dock doesn't work the lapdock wont

morphfxf said:
But im not talking about the standard dock im talking about the lapdock where you plug in your phone and use it like a laptop. the dock and the lapdock have different specifications so I cant assume that because the dock doesn't work the lapdock wont
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I have read of people using a Photon on a Bionic lapdock so i don't see why it wouldn't work with the A2.

It would help if you supplied a model number.
If it's the lapdock 100, yes it does work with Atrix 2.
As usual Motorola is dumping the 100's since the lapdock 500 and 500 pro are out. There's awesome differences between the 100 and 500. Webcam, 14 inch screen, sdcard. I didn't even notice the 500's . But I got a sweet deal for the 100 and it works great. Only thing it has is power and 2 usb ports. Very basic compared to the 500.
Motorola actually did something intelligent, (it pains me to say it) but the connection is a cable, that's why it is works with multiple models of phones.
Hopefully the guru Jim B gets the ubuntu and webtop figured out then I'll get the 500.
EDIT: OP go to the Motorola web site, put lapdock 100 in the search at the upper right. Lapdock 100 page will come up, in the middle of the page there's a COMPATIBILITY link. Click that you'll see all the phones the lapdock works with.

dicksteele said:
It would help if you supplied a model number.
If it's the lapdock 100, yes it does work with Atrix 2.
As usual Motorola is dumping the 100's since the lapdock 500 and 500 pro are out. There's awesome differences between the 100 and 500. Webcam, 14 inch screen, sdcard. I didn't even notice the 500's . But I got a sweet deal for the 100 and it works great. Only thing it has is power and 2 usb ports. Very basic compared to the 500.
Motorola actually did something intelligent, (it pains me to say it) but the connection is a cable, that's why it is works with multiple models of phones.
Hopefully the guru Jim B gets the ubuntu and webtop figured out then I'll get the 500.
EDIT: OP go to the Motorola web site, put lapdock 100 in the search at the upper right. Lapdock 100 page will come up, in the middle of the page there's a COMPATIBILITY link. Click that you'll see all the phones the lapdock works with.
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Click to collapse
(Part#: MOTBIOLAPDK)
Model Number EW-3005
Yes the 500 does look very stylish and promising and has a much better build quality than the 100 in my opinion but at $299 its a little out of my price range when i can easily pick up the bionic lap dock for $70 on amazon. Yes the full featured Ubuntu would be awesome! but i think until we get a phone with a quad core processor and web top by Motorola it is not worth it and after updating to the leak #2 I can say webtop 3.0 is much much faster than the 2 on the productivity and connivance side of things

in short YES IT WILL
the OG atrix has 1 type of connector, and the OG docks' connector goes with it, thats why u have to mod it.
the BIONIC lapdock is a BIONIC lapdock for a reason, because the BIONIC has different connectors.
and since there is only two type of connectors, it means you dont have to flip them to work with atrix 2

Motorola kills off Webtop software and Lapdock accessory
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1925946
Probably get some excellent prices now.