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Samsung Car Dock

8

8Ball

Member
Hi,

I'm thinking of buying the Samsung Car Dock for my S3, but before I shell out the cash can anyone tell me if it activates a car mode UI on the phone when it's docked like the S2 used to?

I've looked through loads of reviews and no where seems to mention it. Only reason I'm asking is because I would like my phone in landscape mode in the car and the only thing that seems to do this is the car UI.

Thanks
8Ball
 
I've searched the threads and couldn't find an answer to the question in this post, so thought I would state what I have found out by experiment and ask follow up questions.

I went from the original Droid (yeah, I loved it) which when inserted into the car dock, it went into car mode. I downloaded the Car Mode app to my Droid and was able to customize multiple screens with specific large icons. I was looking for and expecting the same thing with the Samsung G3.

I ended up buying the Samsung universal car mount, but after some experiments, found out it does not enable car mode. What I am not sure about (and could not find in any threads), is if the capability is there in the G3. I tried to use the Samsung mount to see if it had the magnet (I think that is what is used) to activate the Droid car mode, and it did not. I then tried to hold the G3 in the Droid car mount to determine if the G3 would go into car mode, and it did not.

I also referenced the GT-I9300 User Manual, but there was no mention of Car dock functionality there as well.

Thus, questions following up on BBall's post, is the G3 designed to go into car mode when inserted into a car dock? What about an app that can enable this? What exactly is "car mode" on the G3? I just know this can be done (or at least hope it can be done), just trying to find out how, best app, etc.

btw, I downloaded the Dock Simulator app and used it to enable car mode on the G3. This simply started S-Vloice. Is this correct?

Thanks for any help you can offer.
 
The infuse 4g dock works. Cheapest place currently is at&t website. It was $17.99 + free shipping:

Vehicle Mount - Samsung Infuse 4G accessories from AT&T

The S3 happens to fit although I wonder if the edges will wear on the finish after thousands or even just hundreds of inserts.

When the dock slider is push in, it activates car mode.

Download CarHome Ultra. When car mode is activated from the dock, check the "always do this action" and select CarHome Ultra. Now when you insert the s3 into the dock, the car dock mode will activate. The CarHome Ultra is by far the best 3rd party dock app. S-Voice is a stupid car mode mode app.

Alternatively, if your using a universal dock, buy some nfc stickers, but one on the back of the dock, download nfc task launcher and then program nfs task launcher to activate car mode.

The last scenarios has you alway manually plugging in the charger which is a pain.

Note, even the integrated usb on the infuse 4g dock is nowhere near as nice as the Droid X's factory dock.
 
I strongly suspect the reason we don't have an actual OEM S3 car mount is that they had so many issues with the paint that one that is like the infuse was deemed unacceptable due to wear and tear it would cause on the phone.

I also suspect they are waiting to release a wireless charging dock when the wireless charging replacement cover is released in the fall.

The downside is you won't have the line out 3.5mm connector in the back like you do with the infuse dock. However, for those that care about audio quality, they'll buy aptX bluetooth dongles like the one htc just release. aptX is lossless stereo bluetooth and the S3 supports it. Sounds great through my Sennheise mm100 headphones. As good as wired.
 
sorka said:
I strongly suspect the reason we don't have an actual OEM S3 car mount is that they had so many issues with the paint that one that is like the infuse was deemed unacceptable due to wear and tear it would cause on the phone.

I also suspect they are waiting to release a wireless charging dock when the wireless charging replacement cover is released in the fall.

The downside is you won't have the line out 3.5mm connector in the back like you do with the infuse dock. However, for those that care about audio quality, they'll buy aptX bluetooth dongles like the one htc just release. aptX is lossless stereo bluetooth and the S3 supports it. Sounds great through my Sennheise mm100 headphones. As good as wired.
Click to expand...

Are you talking about this thing here? I hope they announce something about that wireless charging solution, too. Very interesting...

Amazon.com: Car StereoClip CAR A100/Bluetooth Audio Streamer (Aux): Electronics
 
question729 said:
Are you talking about this thing here? I hope they announce something about that wireless charging solution, too. Very interesting...

Amazon.com: Car StereoClip CAR A100/Bluetooth Audio Streamer (Aux): Electronics
Click to expand...

Yes. It's currently the only aptX bluetooth dongle on the market. I can be used when charging simultaneously, but it's a little awkward. There will be lots of aux inputs it won't fit into because it's a male 3.5 mm rather than a female with a male to male cable.

I just ordered mine.
 
sorka said:
Yes. It's currently the only aptX bluetooth dongle on the market. I can be used when charging simultaneously, but it's a little awkward. There will be lots of aux inputs it won't fit into because it's a male 3.5 mm rather than a female with a male to male cable.

I just ordered mine.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you're saying. It looks like it could just plug into any car stereo's 3.5 mm aux input, unless you have a cd changer adapter with RCAs at the end of it. In that case you could just get a RCA to 3.5 mm female cable.

I was reading up on this thing and people making comments about it apparently don't realize that older dongles out there don't support aptX. I have both the Blubridge transmitter and the receiver myself.
 
RHershy said:
I've searched the threads and couldn't find an answer to the question in this post, so thought I would state what I have found out by experiment and ask follow up questions.

I went from the original Droid (yeah, I loved it) which when inserted into the car dock, it went into car mode. I downloaded the Car Mode app to my Droid and was able to customize multiple screens with specific large icons. I was looking for and expecting the same thing with the Samsung G3.

I ended up buying the Samsung universal car mount, but after some experiments, found out it does not enable car mode. What I am not sure about (and could not find in any threads), is if the capability is there in the G3. I tried to use the Samsung mount to see if it had the magnet (I think that is what is used) to activate the Droid car mode, and it did not. I then tried to hold the G3 in the Droid car mount to determine if the G3 would go into car mode, and it did not.

I also referenced the GT-I9300 User Manual, but there was no mention of Car dock functionality there as well.

Thus, questions following up on BBall's post, is the G3 designed to go into car mode when inserted into a car dock? What about an app that can enable this? What exactly is "car mode" on the G3? I just know this can be done (or at least hope it can be done), just trying to find out how, best app, etc.

btw, I downloaded the Dock Simulator app and used it to enable car mode on the G3. This simply started S-Vloice. Is this correct?

Thanks for any help you can offer.
Click to expand...

I haven't found any info about a dock putting the S3 into car mode and I bet it's because Samsung has put so much emphasis in the Tac Tiles which essentially do the same thing. I haven't setup any yet myself but have friends that swear by them. You can stick them to your dock and have the phone automatically go into a variety of settings
 
question729 said:
I'm not sure what you're saying. It looks like it could just plug into any car stereo's 3.5 mm aux input, unless you have a cd changer adapter with RCAs at the end of it. In that case you could just get a RCA to 3.5 mm female cable.

I was reading up on this thing and people making comments about it apparently don't realize that older dongles out there don't support aptX. I have both the Blubridge transmitter and the receiver myself.
Click to expand...

It should just plug into a lot of stock aux intputs, but some won't clear with this dongle unless you use an extension cable.

Yes, not even Tunelink which is quite expensive don't even support aptX. When I emailed them, they said they had no plans to. Stupid decision on their part as aptX is rapidly becoming THE standard for audiophile transers to bluetooth.

After hearing the sound quality possible through aptX, I will never buy another bt media device that doesn't support it...period.
 
I'm going to order a few more. When I get time, I'll experiment with dremeling out the corners slightly to both make it not quite as tight a fit and provide another half mm clearance on the back so we don't have to push the bottom slightly. Worried that it might cause wear on the connector over a 1000+ inserts and removes.

The corners are rubbber, not plastic, so they do flex, but with the tightness, it will eventually wear through the finish.
 
sorka said:
I'm going to order a few more. When I get time, I'll experiment with dremeling out the corners slightly to both make it not quite as tight a fit and provide another half mm clearance on the back so we don't have to push the bottom slightly. Worried that it might cause wear on the connector over a 1000+ inserts and removes.

The corners are rubbber, not plastic, so they do flex, but with the tightness, it will eventually wear through the finish.
Click to expand...

let me know how that goes...i have will have NO problem buying it if it can be modified to my liking...i just wish there was a powered dock that the phone "sat" in like the DX dock...
 
I bought the ProClip setup they have 4 options you can look at here. (This link is for Verizon.) They have a customized mounts for your car dashboard, and for devices. A few extra $$ but I found worth it if you don't like driving with things attached to your windsheild

I use Pro Clip for all my MP3 players, prior phones etc. I also use their Move Clip accessories to move between devices and cars.

If you are really motivated, you can adapt the back part of the AT&T Infuse Mount with the Proclip Tilt Swivel Mount, if you want to use the Car Mount activation (Car Home Ultra app).
 
8Ball said:
Hi,

I'm thinking of buying the Samsung Car Dock for my S3, but before I shell out the cash can anyone tell me if it activates a car mode UI on the phone when it's docked like the S2 used to?

I've looked through loads of reviews and no where seems to mention it. Only reason I'm asking is because I would like my phone in landscape mode in the car and the only thing that seems to do this is the car UI.

Thanks
8Ball
Click to expand...

I'm awaiting the US availability of iBOLT Vehicle Dock For Samsung Galaxy S3 - looks like mid August is the anticipated delivery date.
 
kerrigjl said:
I'm awaiting the US availability of iBOLT Vehicle Dock For Samsung Galaxy S3 - looks like mid August is the anticipated delivery date.
Click to expand...

holy moly you might have just found my dock for me!...

its not PERFECT as you have to manually plug in the charger cable all the time, but that is more down to the design of the phone than anything else...

this is as close to the incredible OEM Motorola Droid X dock that ive had for the past two years as ive seen for our phones...when this becomes available ill be purchasing for sure...
 
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