How-to: hack your own DROID dock with magnets and cardboard

You know what's magical? Magnets. They're so magical, in fact, that Motorola decided to use them in its new DROID car and "multimedia station" docks. Based on the positioning of a couple of magnets, the phone auto-loads the pertinent application -- the multimedia station at least offers a charging plug, but the car dock is all stand. Lucky for us it's not hard to figure out where to place a couple of magnets (we used some nerd-approved "Buckyballs") and spoof the phone into acting like it's docked. We're sure with some additional craftmanship we could have a dock that actually holds the DROID upright, but we won't get ahead of ourselves. For now check out our very own multipurpose homebrew DROID dock after the break.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:14PM]

lets bling it out

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:17PM]

Bedazzle it.

[flanders Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:33PM]

Here's my plan:
1. I'm going to put some velcro tape on the back of the Droid.
2. Sew those magnets onto my Snuggie.
And there you have it, an Android alarm clock in case you fall asleep in your cozy Snuggie!

[horchata Posted Oct 28th 2009 8:38PM]

I was expecting macaroni and elmer's glue, but this video was very inspirational.

[jfalkingham Posted Oct 28th 2009 9:12PM]

Bling it out with mag-ah-nits!

[Cheesus Crust Posted Oct 28th 2009 9:19PM]

Why Paul why??!!! WHY aren't you the head of engadget? You're so much better than Josh, or should I say... iJosh.

[superhobothemillionthaccount Posted Oct 28th 2009 9:33PM]

I thought it was Matt Damon.

[JeremyBenthem Posted Oct 28th 2009 10:13PM]

@Julio
IS THAT YOU BILLY MAYES?

[dzeikei Posted Oct 28th 2009 10:37PM]

@10minutehobo^2
Matt Damon? Fatt Damon maybe...

[dzeikei Posted Oct 28th 2009 10:38PM]

Not saying he is fat but fatter than Matt Damon :P

[ImDaIllest Posted Oct 29th 2009 12:06AM]

that phone is sexy! and some of you were worried about the looks... if htc hd2 doesnt get android down the road im getting this for sure!

[haskili Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:14PM]

Best dock ever

[Wildman Posted Oct 28th 2009 8:28PM]

best engadget video i've seen in a while.

[MONKEY Posted Oct 28th 2009 11:32PM]

I designed a nice holster for Blackberry Storm's. It's made by Hefty and it rhymes with "narbage tag"

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:14PM]

nice!!!!

[Adil Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:15PM]

"patent pending"

[andthemaniam Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:16PM]

the car dock doesn't charge? that kinda stinks :( I'm still getting my Droid on regardless :D

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 10:02PM]

You don't think they'd assemble this whole masterpiece and forget to make the dock charge do you? :-D
"doubles as a charger"
http://www.motorola.com/consumers/US-EN/DROID-Multimedia-Station-US-EN.do?vgnextoid=e17133289d704210VgnVCM1000008406b00aRCRD

:-D

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2009 12:57PM]

"doubles as a charger"??... Is that only when connected to a PC via USB? Sync to a PC via USB? Why do I have to it is wireless isn't it?

Bert

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:18PM]

we'll definitely see some 3rd party docks from china that won't cost over $5

[TikiTeko Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:19PM]

You guys have so much fun. Can I have a job at Engadget - I can don't mind serving coffees to start.

[Jack Posted Oct 28th 2009 8:28PM]

And with sentences that start with "I can don't mind", you'd be perfect for proofreading for them. :D

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:20PM]

You know, I'm sure the Motorola engineers know what they are doing and all, but for as long as I can remember I have been under the impression that placing magnets near sensitive electronic equipment and storage devices is not a good idea ;)

[Banksta3 Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:37PM]

Welcome to the Future.

[meikat Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:40PM]

Wow your name says it all. You don't want to put magnets near magnetic drives. Magnets near electronics that do not have any magnetic media will do nothing.

[NeoJew Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:42PM]

You're aware hard drives have some pretty powerful magnets in them, right?

[waruwaru Posted Oct 28th 2009 9:24PM]

I read someone screwed up magnetometer in their G1 with a magnet on the carrying case. Not sure if this is a great idea...

[Celeras Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:20PM]

I was wondering how they made it swap :)

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 9:45PM]

It switches based on polarity of the magnet. Doesn't have anything to do with distance.

[ThatGuy Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:21PM]

Because knowledge is power!

[matuscg Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:22PM]

I don't think I will be buying the Moto docks but I bet their will be some cool 3rd party ones coming out. Maybe a car dock with integrated power and fm transmitter, or a desk/nightstand dock with a place to charge an extra battery.

[DestrictoEnse Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:26PM]

Engadget needs to sell those. I will buy one for >RRP of Motorola's.

[Neutral Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:37PM]

Should iPhone be jealous for not doing this??
Serious.

[Jack Posted Oct 28th 2009 8:31PM]

Yes, absolutely. The multimedia mode docking thing is an awesome feature, and I wish my iPhone could do that. And car mode too. Those things show some honest to god innovation, which is great to see.

[davezatz Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:37PM]

My favorite Engadget hack and video of all time. Nice work, Paul!

[Adam West Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:39PM]

Because Knowing Is Half The Battle!

[ROFL Posted Oct 28th 2009 8:17PM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbzyz3NSdc4

GI Joooee

[furlanitalia Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:39PM]

Why doesn't the iphone have a landscape multimedia mode with clock!? That would be perfect to replace a home alarm clock.

[bdav Posted Oct 28th 2009 8:06PM]

I thought there was an App for that - not so sure about the full-fleged multimedia-ness of it though.

[155 Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:41PM]

If you move the magnets around can you enable a mode that puts it to sleep in its holster like my blackberry?

[artshark Posted Oct 28th 2009 7:46PM]

Thats amazing. props to motorola- thats really ingenious

[symalik84 Posted Oct 28th 2009 8:14PM]

I think the droid comes with the desk dock for free. The car dock can be made.

[iCello Posted Oct 28th 2009 8:21PM]

You are wrong.

[horchata Posted Oct 28th 2009 8:40PM]

Refer to:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/28/motorola-droid-unboxing/

[scratchfury Posted Oct 28th 2009 8:48PM]

I don't think the box it comes in is meant to be used as the desk dock.

[svtpickemup Posted Oct 28th 2009 9:02PM]

I smell a contest giveaway.....I want that dock!

Come on Engadget!

[Destro Posted Oct 28th 2009 9:10PM]

Ok let's make with the tear-downs. Gotta figure out which magnets I'm gonna need to construct my 1337-Hax0r D0ck!

[hambone43 Posted Nov 13th 2009 10:25PM]

all you need is a rare earth magnet. i've figured out that if you take the magnet and place it on the back of the phone about 1" down and 1" left of the the camera, it will enable the dock mode. if you turn the magnet around, the other dock mode will be enabled. i used some magnets i had lying around from thinkgeek.com. works like a champ!

[Jose Posted Oct 29th 2009 10:11AM]

Come on guys... this is not "hacking". It's cool but I fail to see how getting a couple of magnets close to the phone on the OUTSIDE can be a "hack".

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 28th 2009 9:54PM]

michael buble?