Develop Bugs

Emulating a car dock !

Is anyone aware or the physical way to fool the desire to go into car dock mode either by rewiring a usb cable, or does it use the same magnetic sensor as the nexus, I currently use a boadit iPhone cradle that fits perfect and i have a charger mini usb cramped and srewed into the bottom, I would like to be just be able to drop it in and it go into the Navigator app and switch on bluetooth automaticly and kill both when i remove it ..
thanks

birdster said:
Is anyone aware or the physical way to fool the desire to go into car dock mode either by rewiring a usb cable, or does it use the same magnetic sensor as the nexus, I currently use a boadit iPhone cradle that fits perfect and i have a charger mini usb cramped and srewed into the bottom, I would like to be just be able to drop it in and it go into the Navigator app and switch on bluetooth automaticly and kill both when i remove it ..
thanks
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The droid/milestone used magnets to detect the dock, but the google car dock uses bluetooth and doesn't even use the usb cable (it uses the gold 3 bits on the bottom of the phone). I too wished you could do the same, but my brodit holder fit the phone so badly, I've decided to shell out and try the original car dock - just waiting for it to come.

Thanks for the reply, so the million dollar question is how does the desire's dock sense when its dropped in the cradle, any ideas people ? I read somewhere forgot now doh !! that it might be a case of grounding one of the data lines in the usb cable, can anyone confirm this ?

I'd like to know this too.. Dockmode/Cardockmode

Look at this thread - probably the id pin, but i need someone with the same charger and a multimeter to check some things

I have 2 chargers (work & home) that I use that plug directly into the wall, the one at home brings up Navigator where the one at work doesn't, so it must have to do with the pins in the USB connector.

Can you do some measurements with a multimeter on that charger that opens the navigator???

oh this sounds like what we wanna hear, my betting is one of the usb data lines gets grounded as ive mentioned before !!! plz test to see if more than one of the pins in the usb plu is being grounded .... pretty plz !! heh

Hey Guys,
yes it looks like the Desire can be fooled into thinking its connected to a car dock, my car charger seems to do it when the usb is not properly inserted.
I suspect HTC might release a car dock for the Desire. If not some one should really monopolise on the fact that this can be done.
I will be experimenting with it soon but currently have way to much uni work to finish for the end of the month

Ok went into the workshop and stripped the desire usb lead, I tried every combo of pulling the data lines to ground even both together, the installed navigator.apk didnt kick in , but looking at a reatime system dump i could see usbconnected and type(0) , type (1), type(2) had been triggered, on the differnt combo's i tested, why its not kicking in is anyones guess, maybe cas the Incredible navigator.apk is strictly configured for that device, guess the Incredibles navigators.apk has to be recompiled with new settings !!

I will try it with the cardock.apk tomorrow ripped from the nexus we might have more luck with that me thinks !!! fingers crossed !!!

Keep up the good work! I FINALLY get my Desire delivered tomorrow (after waiting 4.5weeks for stock!!!), so I can have a look at this too... let us know how you get on.

I'm interested in a homedock/multimediadock trigger as well as the car dock trigger. It should be included in the Desire as well as the cardock.
Here's an emulator that could be helpful in the process of developing a dockapp or finding out what's really happening..
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.net-geekherd-dockenabler-pBmD.aspx
I'll try to find the homedockingtrigger if there is any to use in my homemade dockstation

Hi
Wonder if there has been any progress on this? I'm keen to hack my Brodit active cradle to be a fake real dock!
James

gw0udm said:
Hi
Wonder if there has been any progress on this? I'm keen to hack my Brodit active cradle to be a fake real dock!
James
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here! Any progress?!

after upgrade to froyo, i pluged my car charger in my desire and the car mode icon showed up, even when the other end of the charger is NOT pluged in the lighter. I use a charger for my old HTC Diamond and added a little thing that convert a mini USB port (wich is on diamond) to a micro USB. And the cable on my charger is too short for me so it has been moded (extended) by my self, there is only two wire in the cable for power, so there must be something in the plug itself that triggers the car mode. if only plug the converter into Desire, nothing happened

It's the ID pin that needs to be connected to ground, as indicated in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=744636

[Q] Desk / Dash genie

Hey all,
This is my first post here.
Has any of you bought either of those products? They look really stylish and useful (specially the desk dock, which doubles as a USB hub and a 8 in 1 card reader).
Obviously, I can't post links yet, but you can look them up at MobileFun.co.uk and Amazon.co.uk. They are not really expensive either (around 15 pounds + shipping).
So, what are your thoughts on those products?

Many reviews i read (for the Dash Genie) said it worked well until the car got hot - then the phone slid on the tacky surface, and there was residue left on the phone. Sometimes a ring left on the dash.

Welcome to xda! Item looks useful. I wish samsung would expand their accessory line for their phones. I'd love a great windshield mount or dash mount/charger.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

I have the Desk Genie and it does NOT stick to the back of the phone, whatsoever. Search for my post in the thread already created for this accessory and my review.

GarciaM25 said:
I have the Desk Genie and it does NOT stick to the back of the phone, whatsoever. Search for my post in the thread already created for this accessory and my review.
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Click to collapse
I'm actually pretty interested in the Desk Genie after reading about it but now you got me rethinking it. I assume you tried without a case on? I have the Amzer TPU case, which is fairly rubbery and grippy, so I wonder if that would allow the phone to stick to the surface better?
Any chance you can experiment with that if you have a TPU case lying around? Or maybe your general observations of if a TPU case would make a difference?
Also, since I assume the Desk Genie connects to the computer to charge, I assume that charging would take a bit longer due to the fact that you aren't using AC power? I assume you can still connect it to the AC adapter as that uses USB too, but then the USB ports on the side of the dock would be useless.

GarciaM25 said:
I have the Desk Genie and it does NOT stick to the back of the phone, whatsoever. Search for my post in the thread already created for this accessory and my review.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. Do you use any type of case?

Only the "case" I made in my signature! I've tried everything to get it to stick to the aluminum battery cover, and it just won't do it, maybe it would work with certain cases, but if you're a anti-case person like me, then this won't work for you....

Great accesory!
So, I bought the Desk Genie, have been using it for about a week and I love it!
Contrary to the previous poster, I've had no problem whatsoever with it holding my phone, both in portrait and landscape mode. It even holds it with the otterbox commuter case on!
The product is very stylish and useful. Both USB ports work great and the card reader accepts Micro SD cards without adapters (I haven't run any speed tests).
It comes a mini USB-USB cable with which you connect the DG to the computer via a port in the back, and a power cable with which you charge the phone using one of the 8 provided plugs.
The phone recognizes it as charging via AC power! I found that very interesting, given that the DG is powered by the computer USB port.
All in all, I fully recommend this item. Wish I'd bought it sooner.

LucasBrazil1984 said:
The phone recognizes it as charging via AC power! I found that very interesting, given that the DG is powered by the computer USB port.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This means the data pins are shorted, just like in a samsung charger. Can you connect to mass storage with this dock?

[Q] is the cable inside DK32 same as in DK30 and DK31?

Hi,
This should hopefully be a simple question: is the cable inside DK32 same as in DK30 and DK31?
I'm looking at buying the Z1 compact, but I need to be able to charge it without using the dock or opening the plugs/covers. I'm not taking the risk of using Real Fake cables from ebay, so the only option for me is to use the one from a stripped dock.
There are a lot of websites describing how easy it is to remove the EC21 cable from the DK30 and DK31, and a lot of separate websites reckoning that the cable inside the DK32 is the same. However, I have googled hard and have not found one directly stating that:
EITHER the cable inside DK30, DK31 and DK32 is all the same EC21 and therefore it doesn't matter which dock I buy and strip
OR the cable inside the DK32 is different, but it is just as easy to remove without damaging the cable (I don't mind smashing the dock, I won't use it)
While I'm here, it would also be good to hear people's experiences of using the Z1 or Z1 compact in the rain. Is it actually any better than all the other touch screen phones? Or does it start playing up as soon as it has two raindrops on it? I work outdoors and live in the UK, where it basically rains most of the time you need to do something on your phone outside!
Thanks,
pateksan

pateksan said:
Hi,
This should hopefully be a simple question: is the cable inside DK32 same as in DK30 and DK31?
I'm looking at buying the Z1 compact, but I need to be able to charge it without using the dock or opening the plugs/covers. I'm not taking the risk of using Real Fake cables from ebay, so the only option for me is to use the one from a stripped dock.
There are a lot of websites describing how easy it is to remove the EC21 cable from the DK30 and DK31, and a lot of separate websites reckoning that the cable inside the DK32 is the same. However, I have googled hard and have not found one directly stating that:
EITHER the cable inside DK30, DK31 and DK32 is all the same EC21 and therefore it doesn't matter which dock I buy and strip
OR the cable inside the DK32 is different, but it is just as easy to remove without damaging the cable (I don't mind smashing the dock, I won't use it)
While I'm here, it would also be good to hear people's experiences of using the Z1 or Z1 compact in the rain. Is it actually any better than all the other touch screen phones? Or does it start playing up as soon as it has two raindrops on it? I work outdoors and live in the UK, where it basically rains most of the time you need to do something on your phone outside!
Thanks,
pateksan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far the magnetic cable is concerned, all the devices have it of the same size which pretty much makes it all the same just the dock sizes might vary
Sent from my Xperia Z1 compact

@pateksan
I have DK30 (for a ultra) and DK32, which it's for Z1C
I will make a few assumptions from your question, so please correct me if I am wrong.
You say that you want to use z1c without a dock, meaning maybe you already know which case for z1c you want to use, which unfortunately does not allow you to use the dock. Or maybe it is for travel purpose, because you want to avoid carrying the bulky dock.
Unfortunate, because one of the attractions of recent xperia devices is the dock. Using magnetic connector directly is less stable and more fiddly.
Anyway, DK30 and DK32 are not the same. DK31 and DK30 use the same cable, EC21, but in DK32 EC21 is not included. There is dock only, and you need to use the micro usb cable provided with the phone to connect to the charger. So if you need ec21, do not buy dk32.
And to get the ec21 out of the dock... my 5 year old son can do it if he was to watch YouTube video on how to do it. Very simple.

Making my own wireless charging case

So I'm looking into the possibility of making a wireless charging solution on my own. I have lots of wireless chargers at home, work, in the car, and I would really benefit from getting wireless charging working.
I took a USB Qi charging coil and soldered wires, which I then attached (well, just touched ) to either end of the magnetic connector, and it worked.
The difficulty I'm facing is, how can I keep these wires touching the magnetic charging port semi-permanently without doing anything dangerous like attempting to solder it directly.
So I'm wondering if anyone has any neat ideas of how I might rig this up. Any ideas would help a lot! If I come up with something good, I'll make a guide so others can do it.

You could try to get someone to 3D print a side piece similar to the one on the Z3 wireless charging case from sony: http://www.sonymobile.com/us/products/accessories/wireless-charging-cover-wcr14/
Have them leave chambers to run the wire through.

JCBomb said:
You could try to get someone to 3D print a side piece similar to the one on the Z3 wireless charging case from sony: http://www.sonymobile.com/us/products/accessories/wireless-charging-cover-wcr14/
Have them leave chambers to run the wire through.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been thinking about making my own wireless charging case similar to the sony branded case but using high quality leather, and an oem qi charging circuit with a 3d printed base clip with the circuit connectors integrated into the clip, just to ensure constant connectivity.
just looking into prices for scrap leather now.

duraaraa said:
So I'm looking into the possibility of making a wireless charging solution on my own. I have lots of wireless chargers at home, work, in the car, and I would really benefit from getting wireless charging working.
I took a USB Qi charging coil and soldered wires, which I then attached (well, just touched ) to either end of the magnetic connector, and it worked.
The difficulty I'm facing is, how can I keep these wires touching the magnetic charging port semi-permanently without doing anything dangerous like attempting to solder it directly.
So I'm wondering if anyone has any neat ideas of how I might rig this up. Any ideas would help a lot! If I come up with something good, I'll make a guide so others can do it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried tape? It would be covered up by your case anyway, right?

PuffDaddy_d said:
Have you tried tape? It would be covered up by your case anyway, right?
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Click to collapse
I've thought of tape but I've yet to figure out a way to tape it where it will definitely stay in place.
I might be able to get a case that would cover it, but my current cases have holes so that magnetic chargers could be plugged in.

I've decided to try using copper tape to connect a Qi coil to the magnetic dock port. I'll see how it goes. Hopefully it will be as easy as I'm hoping it will be.

So I finally managed to make it work. Unfortunately, I had to solder.
I gave up with trying to line things up just right and keep it in place, so I just soldered a Qi receiver to the magnetic charging port, wrapped it around to the back of the phone, and fit in a case. It charges wirelessly now, so I'm happy. Unfortunately, I don't know if I'll ever be able to clean it up in the future if I want to sell the phone. But to me, wireless charging was super important. I was also able to continue using my Z1C battery case which uses the magnetic port, so I'm pretty happy with the end result.

Pics?

it's ugly, but I'll put up pics when I get a chance.

Pictures as promised. I had been concerned adding this might block NFC, but NFC works just fine. Obviously, magnetic charging cables don't work (but a Z1C charging case I have does.)
It adds some thickness behind it so the case doesn't fit quite perfectly, but well enough to stay on. I didn't have thinner cables, but having some might have been able to decrease the thickness. Also, I'm not necessarily good at soldering, so I just did what I could.
But I can charge it on my bedside table and in my iOttie Qi dock in my car, so I'm cool with it.

hmm not pretty, but i guess it works. how is the charging speed?
you should be able to clean it up fine if you use some solder wick.

Awesome job!
Can you please give us a link for the receiver?
All I can find are with usb

ugly doesn't even start describing it... seriously, you ruined that phone. You could've cannibalized a 3rd party docking station instead

duraaraa,
Thanks for blazing this trail for us, mighty brave to solder to your phone like that! Now that you've had this set up for a few weeks, is it holding up ok? I'd just about give my left nut for an actual phone case that simply has a wireless receiver built in and taps into the magnetic charger pins, but I doubt anyone will ever make one since (I believe) the Z3C is discontinued. I mean, they make those giant external battery packs for the Z3C that use the pins, so why not a qi-compatible one??? Anyway, no way I'm soldering to my pins so I'm basically trying to mold a connector out of epoxy that I can squeeze between the side of the case and the pins. (Basically I pushed one of my magnetic cable connectors into a clay bar and filled w/epoxy.) It's still drying so I have no idea if it's feasible at all, but wanted to pop in and say thanks for the inspiration.

mralexsays said:
duraaraa,
Thanks for blazing this trail for us, mighty brave to solder to your phone like that! Now that you've had this set up for a few weeks, is it holding up ok? I'd just about give my left nut for an actual phone case that simply has a wireless receiver built in and taps into the magnetic charger pins, but I doubt anyone will ever make one since (I believe) the Z3C is discontinued. I mean, they make those giant external battery packs for the Z3C that use the pins, so why not a qi-compatible one??? Anyway, no way I'm soldering to my pins so I'm basically trying to mold a connector out of epoxy that I can squeeze between the side of the case and the pins. (Basically I pushed one of my magnetic cable connectors into a clay bar and filled w/epoxy.) It's still drying so I have no idea if it's feasible at all, but wanted to pop in and say thanks for the inspiration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hows your build coming along mate I'd love to see how it looks.

kstanley7 said:
hows your build coming along mate I'd love to see how it looks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not good I'm afraid my friend... My first attempt (trying to mold a connector out of epoxy using a clay mold) failed, the thing came out looking like a chewed up piece of gum and just wouldn't work. My next attempt involved slicing up a couple of cheap magnetic adapters and cables to try to trim down the connectors to something reasonably sized, but they become really brittle when you cut them that thin... Unfortunately, I think it'd take someone with some type of plastic molding equipment or maybe a 3d printer (that is capable of making really small, fine-detail parts) to make this thing. I'm still disappointed that Sony makes a wireless case for the Z3, but not the Z3C, but I've also come to realize that the Z3C has such good battery life that maybe I don't really need such a case. (I come from a long line of Nexus, HTC, and Samsung devices so I've become somewhat of a charging addict!)
tl;dr: Just enjoy the Z3C and use the handy magnetic dock for overnight charging.

just looking at the magnetic connectors on the z3c I think there might be a way but it'll add a couple more mm to the height, would need to get someone with a 3d printer, but if the wallet is made of leather and is inserted underneath, with the qi wireless pad, and two wires made into connection terminals which would then clip onto the phone so a solid connection is made between those terminals.

Just to answer some questions, it's held up. I think it's fine -- anyone desperate for Qi should just bite the bullet and solder. Charging speed is similar to really any other Qi-charged device.

apis10 said:
Awesome job!
Can you please give us a link for the receiver?
All I can find are with usb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry my response is so late!
It's the USB type. I un-soldered the USB ribbon and soldered a wire for the two connections.
So you would want to buy the USB version, I think.

Look into copper tape. I attempted this a little while back but I think my charging pad wasn't powerful enough. What charging pad are you using?

No Hassle DIY Wireless Charging

Hi,
After going through all possible options of connecting a wireless receiver to a magnetic charging port, and having no luck, I come up with something even more simpler.
Any soldering was not an option, as I wanted to keep my phone waterproof when I need it.
So I got these three things:
- Case. I was looking for something slim, preferably with covered magnetic port, since I'm not going to use it anymore. (this case I bought from aliexpress)
- MicroSD cover, didn't wanna ruin original. Cover has to be there, without it microsd will get lost.
- Wireless receiver itself. Any should do, but the longer is the cable the better.
After being using it for a month, even magnetic charging now feels like too time consuming to me )
Here's how it looks.

You cut the cover of the USB port and sd card slot? How could it be waterproof anymore?

gyuszi02 said:
You cut the cover of the USB port and sd card slot? How could it be waterproof anymore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I got a spare one, so I can replace it when I need it.

zhekazheka said:
After being using it for a month, even magnetic charging now feels like too time consuming to me )
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Huh ? How so ?
It's only 800mA charging current on your wireless charger...that's like half of the original charger used with a magnetic cable(1.5A)

I see. I meant that it takes time, especially at night, to to align magnetic connector. As far as charging time, it takes about 4hrs.

I like this a lot. Thanks for posting. Where did you get the spare cover?
For me this would be most useful in the car. I'd still like to use the magnetic dock on my desk so now I'm off to find a dock-friendly case.

Do you have links to the stuff you bought for that?

How did you create such a small micro usb connector?