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USB ideas/tricks/tips

Hey all,

I have a truck with a USB slot. I don't use it for anything and was wondering if there was any neat ideas or tweaks I could use it for.

thx
 
How old a truck is it? New trucks will likely have a USB port that can charge mobile devices faster but older vehicles will probably be more limited -- if it's USB v2.0 or below it'll only be able to provide 0.5 amp of current, the same as what a typical v2.0 USB port in a computer or laptop can push out (Essentially more of a trickle charge situation so you'd be better off just leaving your device in sleep mode. If you're also actively using your mobile device while charging it this way, the battery is probably being drained faster than it's getting charged).
But if that USB port is able to provide 1 amp of current, the same amount that was provided by the power adapters that shipped with most phones up until a few years ago, that 'might' be able to keep up both charging your device and actively using it at the same time, but just as likely not.
If that USB port is USB v3.x and specified as a charging port it can provide a lot more current.
So just from a power aspect, there are a lot of variables involved. This article might be better at explaining the details:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/why-your-usb-car-charger-hardly-works-at-all/
(It's referencing cars as opposed to trucks but the same basic principles should apply)
Or this more spartan table on USB power specs presents just the numbers involved:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB#Power
Of course all this is based on the assumption that your query was on power and charging your mobile device. If that USB port is tied into the truck's multimedia system (another variable as this is not a universal feature) than that's a different issue:
http://www.incarcables.com/usb-inputs.php
 
I use my phone for my songs, but was just looking for some odd tweaks that can be done. Maybe there is nothing out there. thx
 
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