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Anyone seen a car dock?

MikaelPe said:
We at iBOLT are working on a solution for being able to dim the screen when in car mode. In a few weeks we'll have something more to share so be patient. Being able to dim down the screen while in car mode (Samsung sVoice or CarHome Ultra) would be great so stay tuned....
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Could you simply put a shortcut in the car home app that will do that? Just throwing out an idea.
 
Note from iBOLT: SpinningHead (the developer) have just posted a Beta version of a "support app" for the CarHome Ultra application. Only the Galaxy SIII version is supported at this time. The new beta app features a "dim screen" button. The intended functionality is to give users a way of dimming the screen with 1-button and to "wake it" up too with one touch. Very useful when in the car dock. Here's the link... Sleep Mode (beta) | TheSpinningHead Test together with CarHome Ultra dowloaded and insert this new app as a favorite in one of the first squares so you have easy access to it while driving.

Please provide feedback directly to this thread, the developer or email info@ibolt.co and we'll work close with SpinningHead to summarize the user feedback so we can move towards a final software version.

Please note that you go need to go to Settings-Security-Device Admin-Unknown sources (accept download outside of Google Play). If you are not comfortable with this, please do not try. See attached screen shot.
 
Note from iBOLT: SpinningHead (the developer) have just posted a Beta version of a "support app" for the CarHome Ultra application. Only the Galaxy SIII version is supported at this time. The new beta app features a "dim screen" button. The intended functionality is to give users a way of dimming the screen with 1-button and to "wake it" up too with one touch. Very useful when in the car dock. Here's the link... Sleep Mode (beta) | TheSpinningHead Test together with CarHome Ultra dowloaded and insert this new app as a favorite in one of the first squares so you have easy access to it while driving.
Click to expand...
This is a really cool idea -- and will address some of the concerns voiced about no longer being able to get to the power button when the phone is docked.

But on that same topic ... I thought I saw some feedback from iBolt about coming out with a NEW version of this dock that WILL give access to the power button (sorry, but my quick browsing search failed to find that post).

So, does anyone know if is this just going to be a hole in the case? Or is it going to be something fancier -- like a button? Asking because I just tried setting my S3 (in its case) on the side and pressing down -- to see if that pressed the power button, and it does NOT. So, without this feature, unless I remove the case every time I dock the phone, I will have no way to turn it off.
 
WAWood8: The iBOLT dock comes with phone pads that you can insert in the side of the dock that will prevent the power button to turn on and off. The latest revision also features an cavity in the cradle that prevents the button from ever touching the cradle so regardless which version you have it should not be a problem. If you have lost the pads for your Dock, send an email to info@ibolt.co and we'll send you new ones.
 
I bought the official Samsung car dock for Galaxy devices, comes with a car charger. You can mount it to either your dash or windshield.

Amazon.com: Samsung Galaxy ECS-K200BEGSTA Vehicle Dock - Mount - Retail Packaging - Black: Cell Phones & Accessories

Samsung-Galaxy-S3-Car-Mount-Kit-main.png
 
MikaelPe said:
WAWood8: The iBOLT dock comes with phone pads that you can insert in the side of the dock that will prevent the power button to turn on and off. The latest revision also features an cavity in the cradle that prevents the button from ever touching the cradle so regardless which version you have it should not be a problem. If you have lost the pads for your Dock, send an email to info@ibolt.co and we'll send you new ones.
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Mikael: Thanks for the response ... but I guess I phrased my question poorly.

I was looking for a way to turn OFF the phone while it was in the dock, and was asking if iBolt planned to have a new opening in the case where you could then reach the power button and press it.

However, you're telling me that the current case has pads, so that I could insert a pad (or two) and then just press "down" on the phone to turn it off?
 
Is the iBolt holder padded? Around the bottom and the arm at the top?

Looks like a lot of hard plastic rubbing against my
 
Taking the iBolt dock back -- two reasons. First, and this is NOT the dock's fault, was hoping that using a dock would correct the problem with this POS phone in which it does NOT pair with my car BT most of the time. It did not -- and having the car app on the screen actually make for MORE work in trying to force this garbage phone to work! (note: my OLD HTC Dinc (1) paired without problems, so it's this phone).

Second, tried using the cable with the audio connector. Get a real LOUD, annoying buzzing sound and LOTS of static. Turning up the volume to actually hear the music and the phone calls doesn't help because that just turns up the buzzing and static.

Tried regular audio cable with phone connected to car Aux jack -- no buzz, no static.

Update: Discovered that this is a "common" problem with some mobile devices when both charging the device through USB and having the audio line connected. There are Ground Loop adapters that claim to remove this -- and I have ordered one. Will have to wait (probably a week) to see if that fixes this. Please note that, I did the same connections with my HTC Dinc (1) and did NOT get the Ground Loop problem.
 
WAWood8 said:
Taking the iBolt dock back -- two reasons. First, and this is NOT the dock's fault, was hoping that using a dock would correct the problem with this POS phone in which it does NOT pair with my car BT most of the time. It did not -- and having the car app on the screen actually make for MORE work in trying to force this garbage phone to work! (note: my OLD HTC Dinc (1) paired without problems, so it's this phone).

Second, tried using the cable with the audio connector. Get a real LOUD, annoying buzzing sound and LOTS of static. Turning up the volume to actually hear the music and the phone calls doesn't help because that just turns up the buzzing and static.

Tried regular audio cable with phone connected to car Aux jack -- no buzz, no static.

Update: Discovered that this is a "common" problem with some mobile devices when both charging the device through USB and having the audio line connected. There are Ground Loop adapters that claim to remove this -- and I have ordered one. Will have to wait (probably a week) to see if that fixes this. Please note that, I did the same connections with my HTC Dinc (1) and did NOT get the Ground Loop problem.
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I have the iBolt and used it with a JVC deck, connected via Bluetooth, and no problems.

Just bought a new F150 and connect via Bluetooth with Ford SYNC, and no problems.

This is an awesome dock. I honestly have no idea how it could be any better.
 
WAWood8 said:
Taking the iBolt dock back -- two reasons. First, and this is NOT the dock's fault, was hoping that using a dock would correct the problem with this POS phone in which it does NOT pair with my car BT most of the time. It did not -- and having the car app on the screen actually make for MORE work in trying to force this garbage phone to work! (note: my OLD HTC Dinc (1) paired without problems, so it's this phone).

Second, tried using the cable with the audio connector. Get a real LOUD, annoying buzzing sound and LOTS of static. Turning up the volume to actually hear the music and the phone calls doesn't help because that just turns up the buzzing and static.

Tried regular audio cable with phone connected to car Aux jack -- no buzz, no static.

Update: Discovered that this is a "common" problem with some mobile devices when both charging the device through USB and having the audio line connected. There are Ground Loop adapters that claim to remove this -- and I have ordered one. Will have to wait (probably a week) to see if that fixes this. Please note that, I did the same connections with my HTC Dinc (1) and did NOT get the Ground Loop problem.
Click to expand...

I tested the STATIC issue with my Ibolt and a KiDiGi desktop dock and both had similar issues. I trouble shooted with an Audio Ground Loop Isolator and it got worse. I now believe the issue to be a core hardware design flaw with my S3.

Positive alternative...running a normal usb out for power with the headphone output results in CLEAN audio during charging. Not only that, but calls will get routed through the headphone out....and BT will still over ride headphone out during a call if need be. (that may be rom dependent though)
 
check ebay for cd car cell phone dock
amazing device. goes into your cd player and holds the phone. may be good for some not for all but a great stand and very adjustable to not get in the way of buttons or ports
 
Tagsfordroid said:
Exogear's Exomount for me....love it. Plus it works with all phones without having to change anything....of course i get it into car-home mode using an NFC tag.
The only thing its missing is the internal charger so yes, it does require a cable hanging...but I am willing to deal with that.

-tagsfordroid.com
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I just ordered this one too. I'm hoping it will hold my SGS3 in the Defender case. If not then I'm going back to my original plan of making my own mount out of the Defender holster.
Thanks.
 
I have the Ibolt dock, does exactly what it says on the box.

The best thing about it is that I can use my s3 in the dock without removing my phone from its flip case. Bonus.!
 
Update: received the Ground Loop isolator -- and it does what it claims to do! The sound coming through the speakers now is clear without any distortion, buzzing, or hum.

But now, I notice that the telephone calls do NOT come through the car speakers but through the phone speaker. I think I remember reading that is is yet ANOTHER Samsung design "decision", this time, to NOT allow phone audio to use external speakers. Can anyone confirm this?
 
themadproducer said:
...
Positive alternative...running a normal usb out for power with the headphone output results in CLEAN audio during charging. Not only that, but calls will get routed through the headphone out....and BT will still over ride headphone out during a call if need be. (that may be rom dependent though)
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You mean that if I connect the iBolt cable directly to the phone, instead of using the cable attached to the dock, that phone audio will get routed through the car speakers -- along with the other (Navigation, Music) as well?

Update: Connecting iBolt to their supplied USB cable results in NO call audio coming over the speakers -- because that would have to come out the USB port, which as already been said, does NOT work.

Using a USB cable and separate audio cable pretty much eliminates the usefulness of the dock -- unless you simply want something to cradle the phone in the card.

So, at this point, looks like I have to live with phone audio coming out of the phone -- without using BT.
 
Anyway to have the screen not automatically stay on when S3 in the iBolt dock? I put my phone in the dock, plug it in, & the screen stays on constantly even if not using any apps. I find this to over heat my phone & just want the phone in the dock so that if I do have to use it, it is easily accessible.
How do I get the S3 to keep the screen off? thanks
 
Tagsfordroid said:
Exogear's Exomount for me....love it. Plus it works with all phones without having to change anything....of course i get it into car-home mode using an NFC tag.
The only thing its missing is the internal charger so yes, it does require a cable hanging...but I am willing to deal with that.

-tagsfordroid.com
Click to expand...

Just got mine in a couple of days ago...
It fits the SGS3 while it's in the Defender case!, awesome!
 
What's up with the reviews on Verizon's website regarding the ibolt dock? Last I checked, they were all pretty much negative but on here everybody talks highly of it.
 
WAWood8 said:
Update: received the Ground Loop isolator -- and it does what it claims to do! The sound coming through the speakers now is clear without any distortion, buzzing, or hum.

But now, I notice that the telephone calls do NOT come through the car speakers but through the phone speaker. I think I remember reading that is is yet ANOTHER Samsung design "decision", this time, to NOT allow phone audio to use external speakers. Can anyone confirm this?
Click to expand...

I used an AUX cable from the S3 to my Civic's plug and I had the same issue, while audio would go through the car speakers phone calls would automatically be through the S3's speakerphone.

I got a $4 AUX-microphone cable on Amazon that solved the problem, the calls now play through the car speakers and it also solved a terrible feedback issue I had as well. In other words, I don't think its a Samsung design choice
 
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