How-to: hack your own DROID dock with magnets and cardboard
By Paul Miller 
posted October 28th 2009 7:10PM
posted October 28th 2009 7:10PM
posted October 28th 2009 7:10PM
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wow thats a shame, i was hoping it was some as yet undisclosed rfid reader functionality.
that means magnets and their location placement are going to be limited (and restricted eg you cant create your own version of the docking device to bring up other apps).
While your idea would have been pretty sweet too, at least this way they can't force you to use only Motorola or Verizon approved accessories. Given the choice, I think I'd rather have it like this.
Wat kind of batteries are those? And where can I buy them? That cell phone looks amazing. I may switch carriers. But right now I'll stick to my iPhone 3G :)
I believe those batteries are actually magnets.
Thats why they don't let you have stuff early over a week till release and people are working on work arounds.
Thats why people are not given stuff early. A week until release and people are working on work arounds.
Man I was waiting for palm to get their act together and come out with a landscape keyboard phone but instead they have chosen to go backward by going with an even smaller pixie. I guess my upgrade from my BB curve will be a droid phone though I might hold out to see what Wm7 will bring to the table
I actually think this is a good idea. There will be 3rd party docks with speakers and all.
the juxtaposition of super low tech and super high tech will make a bunch of heads explode.
quit teasing the droid! someday it will turn on you.
How can I get this to play audio with a tape adapter and at the same time rock the maps app?
Genius .... pure and simple.
My first guess is that not too many people will be using this method. My second is that Paul is a virgin. Better odds on number 2 being right.
lobster sticks to magnet...
How do we make that where should the magnets be place and how far from each other
instructions would be needed.
Im not cheap but they wont sell Droid accessories in Canada. Im getting an Unlocked Droid from America so I cant buy the official stand
The car dock comes with a charger too. So don't be afraid to pay $30 for just plastic and magnets. You're getting a rapid car charger as well. :)
Just got my car dock and it did NOT come with a car charger of any sort
Cool, but can you make a Droid out of cardboard and magnets? Oh wait, that would be the GSM version.
I took matters into my own hands: http://i35.tinypic.com/10hq9lt.jpg
Charger included.
Tutorial: http://gonullyourself.org/board/viewtopic.php?pid=298
Actually you just have to have one magnet. And it's the polarity that distinguishes the different docks.
Here's the one I made.
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x140/zcar300/Mediadock.jpg
it is most certainly the location that does it for me. Pop the magnet in the area below the camera, you get the multimedia dock; between the moto logo and the battery cover impression, and you get the car dock. No playing with polarity for me.
A magnet along the centerline of the phone, centered about 3.5 cm from the top of the phone seems to work. One polarity activates the media center, the other polarity activates navigation.
Here are a couple acrylic docks that a friend made for my Droid.
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x140/zcar300/PB110014.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x140/zcar300/PB110013.jpg
I just released a (magnet-free) application to the Market that enables one-click access to multimedia dock mode on the Droid; just search for DockRunner.
Just to clarify,
It is not the positioning of two magenets. It is the polarity of just one magnet held to the back (about the center closer to the camera)
One polarity will display the Car Dock, flip the magnet over and the other polarity will display the multimedia dock.
Check out this video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMuhDWLAMKQ
Okay, i figured it out. You only need 1 magnet but it must be at least 1/2 inch long by 1/4 inch wide.
There is a vertical notch on the back plate (battery cover). Place the magnet vertically on the plate following the notch and it will activate the Car Dock Navigation. Rotate the magnet in the same place sideways and it will switch to the multimedia station.
Thats is.
You can use a single magnet on the back right behind the indent for the battery lid to put the phone in multimedia mode. I have some 3/4cm diameter flat magnets that work perfectly for this, but it's still lacking the actual dock part.
Still hunting for the car dock location,
Scratch that, flipping the magnet over activates the car dock.
Here's where I got the magnets: http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13518
You guys have a complicated solution.
I just have a small button-cell-sized magnet.
When you let it stick onto the the droid above the "Google" logo on the back, you get the clock.
When you flip the magnet around (that is, North becomes South), then it becomes the car dock.
One magnet. One place. North or South poles are what does it.
You can thank me later....
Their is a multimedia app it is called DockRunner It is in Market place it pulls the Interface up!
I had the Motorola Q before this and my new DROID fits right into the same case,
Now here's the funny part: the old case closes with 2 magnets.
Without me even realizing, when I put the phone into the case it would switch in Multimedia mode! :) took me a day to figure this out and then it was all about experimenting ;)