Anyone seen a car dock?

[drexappeal]

You're right, I certainly don't expect any 3rd party accessory maker to put much effort into designing parts for a phone that might sell what, 1/100 as many as an iPhone? But I sense an opportunity for accessory makers and Samsung to take it to the next level with the S3, but so far they've all been pretty slow.

I did contact ProClip USA, and they're making a charging cradle for US model S3s which should be out "in the next 1 to 3 weeks". They have one for the international version, but according to their tech guy the US models are all just a little thicker because of the chipset (which is news to me). Looks like that's the one I will wait for, but it's still not as good as an OEM solution (audio line out, truly solid clip-in).

Yeah, especially with Samsung being able to convince all the OEM's not to make design changes and keep the phone uniform across the board.

Thanks for the 411 about ProClip. That'll be some added info to keep in mind, considering I have 2 ProClip Mounts in my car w/ 1 waiting for my new phone to be propped up. It'll be really great if they use the garmin ball-joint type attachment.

 

[asr10 user]

Got my infuse car dock running and it works great. Only issue seems to be that with the stock music player, the audio out seems to switch from the dock line out to phone speaker. Other audio apps seem to be fine though.

Also, how are you guys removing the phone from the dock? Does that tab on top even do anything?

 

[Metfanant]

BTW, the iPhone 5 is using the micro usb connector. Wonder what that's going to do to all the loyalists that are planning on using their existing accessories.

never gonna happen...smaller dock connector? yeah sure...but Apple isn't going micro usb...no way...

 

[yorklab]

This looks very promising, seems to have everything most here have been looking for:

iBOLT Vehicle Charging Dock for Samsung Galaxy S3 - Android Car Kits & Mounts

• Keep your phone charged and in an easy to view position
• Automatically starts the car mode in Galaxy S3
• All icons turns sideways, even on home screens
• 9ft USB & Aux-out cable for easy car speaker integration (USB car charger sold separately)
• Works with most cases

 

[MikaelPe]

Hi Yorklab (and all Phandroid fans!), I am part of the Product Management team at iBOLT. When building the Car Dock for SGS3 we looked hard at the really nice Dock's offered by Motorola and also the original SGS2 Dock (excellent product!). The two major improvements we wanted to fix is case compatibility (a must!) and much better car-stereo integration. Personally I don't like to have a car mount in the center windshield or located on the vent mount where cold air blowing on the phone (although our friends over at ProClip does an excellent job designing vehicle specific mounts). In the product video located at iBolt.co - Stay connected with your world. you can see our solution with a removable insert and space for all cases up to 2.5 mm. The Dock also comes with a 9ft (yes, that's 2.7 meter!) cable that plugs into the Dock on one end and the splits into a USB charging cable and an aux out, allowing placement of the Dock on the left side of the steering wheel. Simply route the cable down the drivers door and under the carpet and/or drivers seat up the center console where connections points for charging and aux-in (if available) are usually located. We really try hard to build the optimal Dock. Feel free to discuss, suggest, complain or tell us how to make it even better. It seems like a lot of bright people are hanging out on this forum and with regards to Car Dock's we would be delighted to hear from end-users. We'll promise that all suggestions/comments will be ready by the iBOLT product team. Thanks!

 

[drexappeal]

Hi Yorklab (and all Phandroid fans!), I am part of the Product Management team at iBOLT. When building the Car Dock for SGS3 we looked hard at the really nice Dock's offered by Motorola and also the original SGS2 Dock (excellent product!). The two major improvements we wanted to fix is case compatibility (a must!) and much better car-stereo integration. Personally I don't like to have a car mount in the center windshield or located on the vent mount where cold air blowing on the phone (although our friends over at ProClip does an excellent job designing vehicle specific mounts). In the product video located at iBolt.co - Stay connected with your world. you can see our solution with a removable insert and space for all cases up to 2.5 mm. The Dock also comes with a 9ft (yes, that's 2.7 meter!) cable that plugs into the Dock on one end and the splits into a USB charging cable and an aux out, allowing placement of the Dock on the left side of the steering wheel. Simply route the cable down the drivers door and under the carpet and/or drivers seat up the center console where connections points for charging and aux-in (if available) are usually located. We really try hard to build the optimal Dock. Feel free to discuss, suggest, complain or tell us how to make it even better. It seems like a lot of bright people are hanging out on this forum and with regards to Car Dock's we would be delighted to hear from end-users. We'll promise that all suggestions/comments will be ready by the iBOLT product team. Thanks!

Your dock seems to be a great product and really has mimic'd how motorola has created their docks (in my opinion, the best on the market). That said, is the sgs 3 the only phone you plan on making docks for or do you plan on making docks for all the top superphones?

 

[robin_]

the power makes it a no-go for me. I want to dock my phone one handed with one motion, just like my dx.

 

[question729]

Hi Yorklab (and all Phandroid fans!), I am part of the Product Management team at iBOLT. When building the Car Dock for SGS3 we looked hard at the really nice Dock's offered by Motorola and also the original SGS2 Dock (excellent product!)...

Looks promising. If for some reason I would like to power off my screen, is there a way to press the power button? Also, does having everything connected via USB eliminate alternator whine/hiss/grounding issues?

 

[yorklab]

The only issue I see (as someone already mentioned), you have to plug the USB power cord into the phone after placing the phone in to the dock. In Motorola's dock, placing the phone in the dock also plugs in the USB connection, all in one motion.

Otherwise, I think it's a great design, definitely the best one out there right now.

 

[rapidsandroid]

Verizon has started selling the iBolt on their webpage. Looks like one of the better ones out there.
I wish a company would combine the cordless powermat recharging method with a car dock....dock connected to power source & you just put the phone in. Pity, companies aren't really putting out a good car mount product...most look so ugly. one would think there would be a huge market for a good car mount with almost everyone having a cell phone now a days. Oh, & how about some color options in the mounts as well? Is it that difficult to do?

 

[rapidsandroid]

suggestions:
-different color car mounts
-cordless using powermat technology.
-built in techtile in the back so when phone put in mount it will automatically turn on gps, turn off wifi, etc.

 

[yorklab]

suggestions:
-different color car mounts
-cordless using powermat technology.
-built in techtile in the back so when phone put in mount it will automatically turn on gps, turn off wifi, etc.

Those are great ideas.

I wonder how the latest iBolt car mount puts the phone into driving mode? There's no magnet (I don't think) like the Moto phones have. If it's in the USB plug, that would mean you HAVE to plug it in every time you put the phone in the Dock.

 

[kerrigjl]

Those are great ideas.

I wonder how the latest iBolt car mount puts the phone into driving mode? There's no magnet (I don't think) like the Moto phones have. If it's in the USB plug, that would mean you HAVE to plug it in every time you put the phone in the Dock.

I don't think it's a magnet, I think it's a resistor in the circuit that lets it know somehow. I read it somewhere, I think - I have no knowledge other than that.

 

[Metfanant]

the power makes it a no-go for me. I want to dock my phone one handed with one motion, just like my dx.

The only issue I see (as someone already mentioned), you have to plug the USB power cord into the phone after placing the phone in to the dock. In Motorola's dock, placing the phone in the dock also plugs in the USB connection, all in one motion.

Otherwise, I think it's a great design, definitely the best one out there right now.

based on the way the phone is designed i dont think this is possible...and i wish it was on the DX the micro usb is on the side of the phone so as you slide it into the dock, it sits right on the connector...

with the SGS3 having the usb on the bottom it really limits how this can be designed...

Hi Yorklab (and all Phandroid fans!), I am part of the Product Management team at iBOLT. When building the Car Dock for SGS3 we looked hard at the really nice Dock's offered by Motorola and also the original SGS2 Dock (excellent product!). The two major improvements we wanted to fix is case compatibility (a must!) and much better car-stereo integration. Personally I don't like to have a car mount in the center windshield or located on the vent mount where cold air blowing on the phone (although our friends over at ProClip does an excellent job designing vehicle specific mounts). In the product video located at iBolt.co - Stay connected with your world. you can see our solution with a removable insert and space for all cases up to 2.5 mm. The Dock also comes with a 9ft (yes, that's 2.7 meter!) cable that plugs into the Dock on one end and the splits into a USB charging cable and an aux out, allowing placement of the Dock on the left side of the steering wheel. Simply route the cable down the drivers door and under the carpet and/or drivers seat up the center console where connections points for charging and aux-in (if available) are usually located. We really try hard to build the optimal Dock. Feel free to discuss, suggest, complain or tell us how to make it even better. It seems like a lot of bright people are hanging out on this forum and with regards to Car Dock's we would be delighted to hear from end-users. We'll promise that all suggestions/comments will be ready by the iBOLT product team. Thanks!

i am very interested in purchasing your dock, and now that it is available on the VZW website i will be ordering very soon since i get a corporate discount through them...

your dock looks to be above and beyond the best dock out there for the GS3

 

[ylexot]

based on the way the phone is designed i dont think this is possible...and i wish it was on the DX the micro usb is on the side of the phone so as you slide it into the dock, it sits right on the connector...

with the SGS3 having the usb on the bottom it really limits how this can be designed...

Sure it's possible. It just means that the dock has to be designed so that the phone slides in vertically instead of horizontally. If it is designed correctly, you can still do that and turn it into landscape mode.

 

[Funnyusername]

There is the ibolt made just for the S3 and the ibolt Pro Dock Alumina. Does anyone have one of these? Or tell me if paying more for the S3 vs the cheaper universal one is a good idea? I am not using the car dock a lot, which makes me hesitant to get the more expensive one. The video showing the universal ones looks promising.

S3: iBOLT Vehicle Charging Dock for Samsung Galaxy S3 - Android Car Kits & Mounts

Universal: iBolt ProDock Alumina review | Android Central

Anyone have any use with either product?

 

[StuDaddy]

I got this mount a few weeks ago. I am coming from the DX with the VZW fitted car mount.

The mount is very secure on the base. If I left my DX mount in direct sunlight on a warm day, it topples after a while.

You put the S3 in which presses a button on the bsck of the holder which releases the spring pulling the side arms together to hold the phone. The S3 in a case is a snug fit. Releasing it is slightly more difficult than the DX, the S3s width makes it a little harder for smaller hands to press the toggles on each side to release the phone. I tend to just slide out the holder entirely to get to the toggles, and the holder's prongs on back are more intuitively placed than the DXs, making it easier to replace the holder on the mount.

You have to manually insert a charger and aux cable each time, but I had to do the aux cable on the DX each time anyway.

I can not get the S3 display to remain on in the iOttie like the DX did so normally in its dock. The S3 dims for 2 seconds then hits the lock screen. Fun in highway traffic.

All the S3 buttons and ports are completely available in the dock. The DX buttons...well, if I had to hit a DX button besides the 'back's key it was coming out of the dock.

I needed a mount and the iOttie is a decent but not perfect mount for $20

 

[sorka]

IYou have to manually insert a charger and aux cable each time, but I had to do the aux cable on the DX each time anyway.

Then you didn't have the OEM motorola mount for the DX. The OEM mount has the micro usb connector integrated with the unit making the entire process of docking or undocking the DX a 2 second one handed operation.

Not having an integrated usb connector that automatically connects is a deal killer for me. The infuse dock works but it's still a two handed operation to get the S3 out although a one handed operation getting it in.

I think I'm also going to try this one:
KiDiGI Car Mount Cradle for Samsung Galaxy S3

I rarely use landscape mode so this one might be the ticket for me.

 

[drexappeal]

I got this mount a few weeks ago. I am coming from the DX with the VZW fitted car mount.

The mount is very secure on the base. If I left my DX mount in direct sunlight on a warm day, it topples after a while.

You put the S3 in which presses a button on the bsck of the holder which releases the spring pulling the side arms together to hold the phone. The S3 in a case is a snug fit. Releasing it is slightly more difficult than the DX, the S3s width makes it a little harder for smaller hands to press the toggles on each side to release the phone. I tend to just slide out the holder entirely to get to the toggles, and the holder's prongs on back are more intuitively placed than the DXs, making it easier to replace the holder on the mount.

You have to manually insert a charger and aux cable each time, but I had to do the aux cable on the DX each time anyway.

I can not get the S3 display to remain on in the iOttie like the DX did so normally in its dock. The S3 dims for 2 seconds then hits the lock screen. Fun in highway traffic.

All the S3 buttons and ports are completely available in the dock. The DX buttons...well, if I had to hit a DX button besides the 'back's key it was coming out of the dock.

I needed a mount and the iOttie is a decent but not perfect mount for $20

Did your DX mount not come with this:
Custom Audio and Power USB Cable for Vehicle Docks - Motorola Mobility LLC. USA

 

[Metfanant]

Sure it's possible. It just means that the dock has to be designed so that the phone slides in vertically instead of horizontally. If it is designed correctly, you can still do that and turn it into landscape mode.

yes possible...but still needs added movement...no less additional movement than plugging in the charger...

Then you didn't have the OEM motorola mount for the DX. The OEM mount has the micro usb connector integrated with the unit making the entire process of docking or undocking the DX a 2 second one handed operation.

not if you're car just has an AUX input...still had to plug in the 3.5mm cable to the DX (or buy an additional cable that splits the two...

I think I'm also going to try this one:
KiDiGI Car Mount Cradle for Samsung Galaxy S3

I rarely use landscape mode so this one might be the ticket for me.

useless for me as i ALWAYS use landscape...

Did your DX mount not come with this:
Custom Audio and Power USB Cable for Vehicle Docks - Motorola Mobility LLC. USA

mine certainly did not

 

[drexappeal]

mine certainly did not

Wow, so that must've been something that they just started last year. It was my favorite part of the car dock package, when I first purchased for my MoPho. Thought it was a regular/standard Motorola offering for all the car docks.

 

[Metfanant]

Wow, so that must've been something that they just started last year. It was my favorite part of the car dock package, when I first purchased for my MoPho. Thought it was a regular/standard Motorola offering for all the car docks.

it certainly did not come with the dock when it first came out...i got the dock the first time i ever saw it available...that cable was not included...actually there was no cables included with the dock

 

[drexappeal]

it certainly did not come with the dock when it first came out...i got the dock the first time i ever saw it available...that cable was not included...actually there was no cables included with the dock

Thanks for clarifying. Like I said, I just got the dock for the MoPho, which was released last year, so it looks like it wasn't a standard offering on Motorola car docks, prior to last year. The Droid X came out 2 years ago, right?

 

[sorka]

yes possible...but still needs added movement...no less additional movement than plugging in the charger...

not if you're car just has an AUX input...still had to plug in the 3.5mm cable to the DX (or buy an additional cable that splits the two...

useless for me as i ALWAYS use landscape...



mine certainly did not

Yes, if you're too price sensitive to buy the proper cable, then yes of course you'll need to plug in two seperate cables to your DX.

 

[sorka]

never gonna happen...smaller dock connector? yeah sure...but Apple isn't going micro usb...no way...

Believe what you want. This:

Interesting Theory: New iPhone 5 Dock Connector Could Be Compatible With Micro-USB

and hundreds of articles showing dozens of leaked iphone 5 photos clearly show they won't have the standard 30 pin connector.

And, yes, I agree that if they did this, they'd be shooting themselves in the foot and I'll instantly short apple when this is confirmed.

It took me 6 years to buy another ipod after they dumped their "standard" firewire connector and replaced it with the new 30 pin connector. I don't like change