2 questions - headphones and using external hard drives

[yoonie]

Hey guys, new member here. So...hi!

I'm planning on getting the atrix as soon as it comes out but I had a couple of Qs that I was hoping someone could answer. I'm still using the original iPhone btw, so my knowledge is a bit out of date.

The original iphone headphones had a little clicker/mic thing to answer calls/pause/fast forward etc. - is this standard still? Will the atrix have this?

Secondly, I've been reading that most android phones can't connect directly to external hard drives because they're both clients. From what I understand about the atrix, it seems like it would HAVE to have host capability (since the laptop/multimedia docks have usb ports). Is it probable that I'd be able to access an external hard drive directly from the atrix?

 

[stoli412]

The original iphone headphones had a little clicker/mic thing to answer calls/pause/fast forward etc. - is this standard still? Will the atrix have this?

Yes, almost all Android phones support this. Some phones include headphones, most you have to supply your own. However, I don't know of any Android phone that supports inline volume up/down...that seems to be Apple only.

Is it probable that I'd be able to access an external hard drive directly from the atrix?

It's definitely doable from the dock. Not 100% sure you'll be able to plug an external HD directly into the USB on the phone...only time will tell.

 

[binaryhellstorm]

Hey guys, new member here. So...hi!

I'm planning on getting the atrix as soon as it comes out but I had a couple of Qs that I was hoping someone could answer. I'm still using the original iPhone btw, so my knowledge is a bit out of date.

The original iphone headphones had a little clicker/mic thing to answer calls/pause/fast forward etc. - is this standard still? Will the atrix have this?

Secondly, I've been reading that most android phones can't connect directly to external hard drives because they're both clients. From what I understand about the atrix, it seems like it would HAVE to have host capability (since the laptop/multimedia docks have usb ports). Is it probable that I'd be able to access an external hard drive directly from the atrix?

Yes, you should be able to access a hard drive. The Atrix does have host support since it can use USB keyboards and mice.

 

[yoonie]

Thanks!

Any idea on the headphones? I know details aren't available on them yet, but are the iphone-style headphones i mentioned standard on most android phones?

Edit: Answered all my questions before I even had a chance to finish saying thanks!

 

[yoonie]

Yes, almost all Android phones support this. Some phones include headphones, most you have to supply your own. However, I don't know of any Android phone that supports inline volume up/down...that seems to be Apple only.

It's definitely doable from the dock. Not 100% sure you'll be able to plug an external HD directly into the USB on the phone...only time will tell.

By the way, what's the technical term for those kinds of headphones? My google search for clicky thing headphones isn't getting me many results

 

[binaryhellstorm]

By the way, what's the technical term for those kinds of headphones? My google search for clicky thing headphones isn't getting me many results

I believe the technical term is TRRS headphones.

So far as the hard drive, Motorola has stated in a few of the promo videos that you will be able to plug in USB mass storage devices and use them with the Atrix.
If you watch the last 30 seconds of this video, the rep mentions USB storage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD8CgBdGCZk

 

[yoonie]

I believe the technical term is TRRS headphones.

So far as the hard drive, Motorola has stated in a few of the promo videos that you will be able to plug in USB mass storage devices and use them with the Atrix.
If you watch the last 30 seconds of this video, the rep mentions USB storage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD8CgBdGCZk

I think the guy in the video is saying that you can plug in usb mass storage devices into the laptop dock, not necessarily the phone itself.

Would you by any chance have links to the promo vids where they say you can connect hard drives directly to the phone?

 

[binaryhellstorm]

I think the guy in the video is saying that you can plug in usb mass storage devices into the laptop dock, not necessarily the phone itself.

Would you by any chance have links to the promo vids where they say you can connect hard drives directly to the phone?

I don't believe any one has said that you can plug a USB mass storage device directly into the phone. But the fact that you can do it through the docks at least shows that the Atrix has USB host support. I would imagine that plugging a USB device directly into the Atrix would be possible (just like it was on the Droid and Nexus One) it would just require some custom cables.

 

[Kurakka]

as far as headphones I know the ear buds that came with my G2 support vol up and down and answer/hangup/play/pause buttons on the headphones wire. Its three buttons. Not sure if this is what you are talking about.

 

[yoonie]

Yup, that's pretty much what i'm talking about. Hopefully the atrix will use the same trs(or trrs, i forget which) that the iphone uses, just so there's a larger selection.

 

[Kurakka]

The Iphone items are proprietary. They will only work on Iphone. I am sure the atrix will come with something and if not you should be able to get something that will work.

 

[yoonie]

hopefully there'll be a decent selection then

 

[stoli412]

as far as headphones I know the ear buds that came with my G2 support vol up and down and answer/hangup/play/pause buttons on the headphones wire. Its three buttons. Not sure if this is what you are talking about.

The G2 headphones have volume buttons? Are you sure they're not next/previous track buttons? I wasn't aware HTC was making headphones with this function. They haven't had volume control since they switched from their proprietary USB jack to the standard 3.5 mm jack, and even then it was an extra controller you had to buy.

 

[Kurakka]

Are you sure they're not next/previous track buttons?

You are correct, I apologize my mistake. Yes it is Next Track Previous Track and then the Play/pause/answer/hang up. But I will add that if it can do these functions on the headphone I can’t see any reason why a headphone remote couldn’t also do volume if they wanted.

Good catch, I will have to do more double checking on my part before posting.

 

[vinay427]

The Iphone items are proprietary. They will only work on Iphone. I am sure the atrix will come with something and if not you should be able to get something that will work.

No, the headphones that came with my iPhone actually work with my friend's BB Curve 8310, including the play/pause button and mic. They're pretty standard TRRS (if that's what they're called) headphones. However, I'm not sure if the volume buttons work because my older iPhone 3G came with the headphones that only have a mic and play/pause button (no volume controls).

 

[kilasix9]

I've tried connecting two external HDs to my Atrix laptop dock and neither are working. The first one said it wasn't file ready and the second said it was unmountable.

Anyone had these issues?

I know the HDs work because I've used them on my PC and PS3.

 

[Homer55]

I've tried connecting two external HDs to my Atrix laptop dock and neither are working. The first one said it wasn't file ready and the second said it was unmountable.

Anyone had these issues?

I know the HDs work because I've used them on my PC and PS3.

Your drive(s) are likely formatted in the more modern NTFS format. According to this Motorola KB article, they must be FAT32 formatted....