Does any manufacturer make model specific car docks with proper USB connections anymore? It seems every 2015 smart phone I've looked at doesn't offer one, and it's a bit disconcerting. I've been spoiled by my last few phones having them, where it's a very simple drop in and the phone is charging, it recognizes it's in car mode, etc.
crazifuzzy said:
Does any manufacturer make model specific car docks with proper USB connections anymore? It seems every 2015 smart phone I've looked at doesn't offer one, and it's a bit disconcerting. I've been spoiled by my last few phones having them, where it's a very simple drop in and the phone is charging, it recognizes it's in car mode, etc.
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I still have yet to upgrade my phone, 100% due to this issue. I'm tempted to simply build my own proper dock for whatever device I end up getting because I can't stand the docks on the market.
Related
Last night when I was half a sleep I plugged into my HTCTouch Pro a standard USB cable in its ext USB port. It started charging and I went to bed. When woke up in the morning, I was shocked and I was a fraid some thing could have happened to the devive. I immediately unplugged it.
I checked the device and there was nothing wrong with it. I decided to test it further. So, I connected the "wrong cable" again and I could exchange files normally with this standard USB cable. I also used for active sync and Internet sharing!
I also connected the standard cable the Pro's charger and it worked like a breeze. This means that if you need an additional USB cable you can buy a cable at quarter the price of the damned "extUSB" one!
Hope I provided you with some useful trick.
Note: Use it at your own risk. But I tested it on my device with no problems. Perfect!
Sorry to ruin your excitement, but pretty much everyone knew this already. The ExtUSB is a standard USB plug but with extra pins on the edges that only ExtUSB cables have receptors for. They are just audio and video pins, and aren't required to charge to transfer data.
LMAO!!
You are the second one that made this "amazing" discovery!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=449639
johanromijn said:
LMAO!!
You are the second one that made this "amazing" discovery!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=449639
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Third, actually, and my post didn't even seem to surprise anyone: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=444534
However, with a huge and complex forum like this, it's no wonder and no shame that things get discovered, asked or explained again and again. I'm sure there's a lot of people that didn't know this yet and found out by reading your post. So kudos to you.
First time I've seen it. Good to know for when I get mine in a week or so!
was it ever necasarry?
i used regular mini usb on my 8525 all the time
You guys got to be kidding... I couldn't even imagine that someone doesn't know about this already. Mini USB is the standard charger for most recent device these days.
I use the same mini USB (got it for $3) to charge my phone, my camera, my MP3 player and anything that I can plug in. A USB port from your computer have an output of 5Volt... so don't worry about it, it won't kill your device.
Welcome to the Forum, by the way
guys - give him the credit for his discovery. at least it helped me - i didnt know and to me he is the best inventor of 2008!!!!! Way to go abdelbaset0
Lol, this stuff gives me the giggles, personally, ive always used normal MiniUSB cables, ever since they brought out that connection on their devices, but the really funny thing is, when i was in a T-Mobile store once, the attendant genuinly thought it would damaged the device when i said i wanted a normal (miniUSB) car charger to use with my TyTN.... Still Chuckling now.
RavenY2K3 said:
Lol, this stuff gives me the giggles, personally, ive always used normal MiniUSB cables, ever since they brought out that connection on their devices, but the really funny thing is, when i was in a T-Mobile store once, the attendant genuinly thought it would damaged the device when i said i wanted a normal (miniUSB) car charger to use with my TyTN.... Still Chuckling now.
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Sadly, because of reps like that, the various print materials, websites trying to overcharge for a product, and the general user's fear and lack of education....this is the sort of information that a lot of people will probably find to be wildly helpful, even profound.
When my girlfriend got some phone, not entirely sure which one (she's been through quite a few), she thought she had no choice but to use the charging brick and data cable that came in the box. She complained about a low battery one day while in my car. A quick look to see the shape of the port and I plugged in my car charger. She was in shock...and I was equally shocked that a very computer literate asian girl would feel comfortable installing windows but was baffled by the shape of a plug
Mobile Fun now have details on the official HTC Desire car kit. Still no price though:
http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/htc-desire-car-upgrade-kit-p24570.htm
Apparently placing the device in the holder activates something called the 'navipanel' which must be similar to the 'Car Home' app on the Nexus One.
I'll wait for a price and reviews before deciding whether to replace my current car holder
EDIT
I just found further details on the HTC Accessory site from Expansys. The dock will set you back £65 and isn't due til the 5th July.
http://www.htcaccessorystore.com/uk/p_htc_item.aspx?i=199788
Hmm recon there going to put this navi panel on the app market? or do a upgrade?
It's just this.
Regards,
Dave
Sorry to dig up an old thread, but things have moved on with this accessory! It is now available for order (although it is still £65.99!) from htcaccessorystore.
The question then is, is it worth £65.99? Other than auto-loading navipanel what does this give us over a standard mount and car charger?
If somebody buys one and works out what triggers dock mode it would be sweet!
I have recently acquired one of these and it does not activate any software within the phone. It does switch on 'car mode' which allows the speaker-phone to activate when a call comes in. I have contacted HTC support and was given this reply,
"Dear xxxxxx,
Sorry for the delayed response. I have investigated the issue a bit further - the Desire does not come with the "NaviPanel” software, as the manufacturer claims, and there is no download available for it. There is a “Navigation” app, which you can find in the list of all apps, but I am not sure if it is the same. Alternatively, you can go to Android market and search for “Car Home” or “Car dock” and try out some of the 3rd party apps available, but please be aware HTC does not produce those, so you will be using them at your own risk.
To send a reply to this message or let me know I have successfully answered your question log in to our ContactUs site using your email address and your ticket number xxxxxxxxxxxx.
Sincerely,
Viktor"
I am somewhat annoyed that HTC have stated in the car holder instruction manual and in the original press release, that the 'Navipanel' is activated when the phone is docked. It was a huge selling point for me, as I use the phone in the car more than anything and this feature would have made it easier to operate the phone in the dock.
Have you instaled navi panel, you can find it on here somewhere.
I'm thinking of getting one of these, but only if it works properly!
so no one bought this?
I've bought the car kit and just received the shipment. I have to admit it looks really nice and feels robust. I'll be trying some of the third party Apps for the next few days and will keep in touch...
Hi,
I have one question, Does it recognize the charger as USB or AC ?
ThankU
brrrbaybay said:
I've bought the car kit and just received the shipment. I have to admit it looks really nice and feels robust. I'll be trying some of the third party Apps for the next few days and will keep in touch...
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None of the third party app's I've tried could convince me that Car-mode is a great and usable feature. Maybe that's why HTC decided to discontinue (or never started working on?) this feature?
Also,
Using or holding (and even touching for that matter) a phone while driving is illegal in The Netherlands and will cost you about 150,- Euro. Even if it's only being used a a navigation device.
I personally think Google should improve Voice search and release a Dutch version soon
@_dGs_
Previously, when using generic car chargers and running CoPilot, my battery still slowly drained. I've noticed that since I've got the official Dock, this problem doesn't occur anymore. So I assume that it'll show AC. I'll have a look at it when driving home today to make sure.
brrrbaybay said:
@_dGs_
Previously, when using generic car chargers and running CoPilot, my battery still slowly drained. I've noticed that since I've got the official Dock, this problem doesn't occur anymore. So I assume that it'll show AC. I'll have a look at it when driving home today to make sure.
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From experience with my Touch Pro and Kaiser, the generic adaptors do not deliver enough power for a phone that is making calls, a Bluetooth connection and GPS. These generic devices seem to deliver USB levels of power. Look at your wall charger and it is rated at 1 Amp. A genuine HTC car charger will give the correct level of power (until the battery gets too hot and shuts off charging) - this hasn't happend on my Desire yet, but would do so on my Touch Pro, even with the AC vent directed at the phone...
_dGs_ said:
Hi,
I have one question, Does it recognize the charger as USB or AC ?
ThankU
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a little bit later then promised, but: When connected to the official HTC CarKit, the desire says it's connected to an AC power source.
66mustang said:
From experience with my Touch Pro and Kaiser, the generic adaptors do not deliver enough power for a phone that is making calls, a Bluetooth connection and GPS. These generic devices seem to deliver USB levels of power. Look at your wall charger and it is rated at 1 Amp. A genuine HTC car charger will give the correct level of power (until the battery gets too hot and shuts off charging) - this hasn't happend on my Desire yet, but would do so on my Touch Pro, even with the AC vent directed at the phone...
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After I bought the Desire I also also bought a 1200mA (max output current) generic USB charger for use in my car. Friends of mine who have an Iphone were using this charger because this phone also has the problem.
The 'funny' thing is that this charger didn't solve the problem on my Desire. Perhaps HTC chargers identify themselves as some sort of "high current charger"- USB deviceClass, or use a slightly different voltage (e.g. 5.5V instead of 5V?) to identify themselves as AC charger?
No, it's the fact the the middle two contacts are bridged. There's several posts about it in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=670702
fredfox_uk said:
No, it's the fact the the middle two contacts are bridged. There's several posts about it in http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=670702
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Thanks! That sounds really usefull
Hello all!
I am looking for an awesome dock for my SGS, it's the GT-I9000 from Europe. I am in the USA and I am not familiar with the compatibility / interchanges on the various models.
If anyone has any suggestions for a dock that would be cool!
Would like to have one by my bed and one at my desk. So I need to be able to connect to PC while docked and if possible access 3.5mm port as well, for TV out.
Thank you for your help!
Did you check ebay? there are various cradles for SGS
Yea I did most I find won't let you sync while docked, or use the 3.5mm, only charge.
And I don't want to use a dongle, I just want to plug it into the dock.
Thank though
Just get the official samsung dock, it's pretty nice, lets you do all of that. Automatically puts the phone into the home dock mode too, which is nice.
http://cgi.ebay.com/OEM-Dock-Charge...977987?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item5d2c869cc3
~Edit - Sorry that one looks like it is for the epic 4g, which is thicker than our phone due to the keyboard, but the dock might work, it depends on whether the USB is on the lower or upper half of the epic if you know what I mean. This one would work for your phone and it's only a few dollars more:
http://www.amazon.com/Verizon-Samsu...UKT8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295196237&sr=8-1
Thanks Nirvana388,
I do however need to be able to sync my device with kies and use the mass storage feature through the USB of phone while docked.
Correct me if I am wrong but, as far as i can tell neither of those cradles allow syncing while docked, and for me that kinda defeats the purpose of the dock/cradle, it is instead a glorified charger. The ads are very deceiving and the only reason I know that those features are not available is by reading the customer reviews.
Thank you for the suggestion though
S7AN said:
Thanks Nirvana388,
I do however need to be able to sync my device with kies and use the mass storage feature through the USB of phone while docked.
Correct me if I am wrong but, as far as i can tell neither of those cradles allow syncing while docked, and for me that kinda defeats the purpose of the dock/cradle, it is instead a glorified charger. The ads are very deceiving and the only reason I know that those features are not available is by reading the customer reviews.
Thank you for the suggestion though
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As you can see from the pics there is a microusb connector on the back, just make sure the cable you insert there is in fact connected to your PC.
I've bought a cheapo cradle off of ebay, works fine for sync and charge, has a usb cable and also a charger! But it does not have the 3.5mm connector so not sure if it would be any good to you. http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-Sync-Dock-C...393647?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item45f84ac72f
Just a few posts down from yours is this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=766035
Check the last pages......
I'm admittedly coming back to Android from the iPhone but I've always had a charging or audio dock for my devices and it seems people don't really make those anymore. Why is that? I understand micro usb slot placement may play a role but really I'm at a loss here. The stands/charging docks available for these devices are terrible. Is there a particular brand or website that I'm missing?
The.Jericho.Initiative said:
I'm admittedly coming back to Android from the iPhone but I've always had a charging or audio dock for my devices and it seems people don't really make those anymore. Why is that? I understand micro usb slot placement may play a role but really I'm at a loss here. The stands/charging docks available for these devices are terrible. Is there a particular brand or website that I'm missing?
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I moved away from docks shortly after nfc came out. Now I just touch my phone to the speakers and they automatically pair. The nice thing about doing it that way is you can hold and use your phone as it's charging from any outlet in the room/house. I don't think you can use nfc for anything other than Apple pay on the iPhone so that's probably why docks are still so popular on the iphone.
The.Jericho.Initiative said:
I'm admittedly coming back to Android from the iPhone but I've always had a charging or audio dock for my devices and it seems people don't really make those anymore. Why is that? I understand micro usb slot placement may play a role but really I'm at a loss here. The stands/charging docks available for these devices are terrible. Is there a particular brand or website that I'm missing?
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Click to collapse
Samsung makes some lesser known ones like the DA-Exxx line.
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-DA-E5...431541290&sr=8-3&keywords=samsung+da+speakers
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-DA-E6...8&qid=1431541443&sr=8-3&keywords=da-e+samsung
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-DA-E5...8&qid=1431541443&sr=8-7&keywords=da-e+samsung
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-DA-E6...8&qid=1431541443&sr=8-5&keywords=da-e+samsung
The highest end one is the DA-E750/751 that has a built in tube amp.
http://www.samsung.com/us/video/home-audio/DA-E751/ZA
Docks are usually phone specific and become obsolete when the phone does. Jack/port placement changes and there isn't a universal standard for getting audio out of the USB port. Using Bluetooth (with or without NFC) gets around the physical obsolescence with a standard method.
Hi all,
Have just bought a stand for my HTC m9, it's a sleek looking bit of kit and only costs a tenner which is pretty cheap.
It is designed to work with the phone with no case although there is a removable part which allows the usage of the dot matrix case too, I've confirmed that this works too.
Chances are you may be able to fit some other cases in there but they would have to be slim, the Spigen hybrid does not fit unfortunately, possible to do some modding but that would be down to you.
You can connect this up to your laptop /PC ( USB 3 charges pretty good compared to usb2) it allows you to mount storage via the dock, also confirmed, a standard USB socket is also present on the back which can be used for OTA purposes, keyboard, mouse, gamepads, hard drive etc (untested but should work).
The design is sleek and sturdy, it holds the phone up well, could maybe use a little more weight.
Personally I got it for work so I can mount it and maybe use it as a clock, see messages via the dot matrix case, play music (can change tracks from the matrix case) so far it's working as expected.
Would recommend.
£9.95p amazon UK. Quick delivery, 3 days, no charge.
Edit: @ mod, like a massive melon I've posted this in the wrong thread, can this be moved to accessories please. My apologies, haven't had much sleep,
Yeah, I got one of those too, only to discover that it kills quick charge for some reason. Would not get above 150mA no matter what charger I used.
iElvis said:
Yeah, I got one of those too, only to discover that it kills quick charge for some reason. Would not get above 150mA no matter what charger I used.
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Don't say that i was beginning to like this, will have a tinker.
Actually, I'm getting a normal charge from mine. I don't like fast charge, it damages the battery. So id rather not do that. Normal charging for me. Just under two hours.
Have just noticed something. Whilst plugged into a charger, this device does not allow USB OTG? What is the point of that? If you disconnect the charger then it works very well but not whilst connected, have not tried whilst connected to a computer / laptop.
dladz said:
Have just noticed something. Whilst plugged into a charger, this device does not allow USB OTG? What is the point of that? If you disconnect the charger then it works very well but not whilst connected, have not tried whilst connected to a computer / laptop.
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Sure the switch on the back is in the right position? I'll admit I haven't played with mine much.
iElvis said:
Sure the switch on the back is in the right position? I'll admit I haven't played with mine much.
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Have tried both, like i said without the cable connected it works fine, selecting it away from OTG, does switch connectivity off, however connecting a cable whether on OTG or USB de-activates it.
I know this isn't an official dock so support is going to be really limited.
Might take it apart and see how it's patched, the power source is more than likely for mounting the phone onto a computer, hence the disconnection.