Magnetic Charge/Sync cable - Samsung Galaxy Gear

So it has already started, people are loosing and damaging their cradles already. This is going to create a need for a new cradle or another way to charge and sync the unit.
Ever since I first opened the box to my gear I wondered WTF Samsung was thinking with this cradle. There has to be a better way, and hopefully I have found one.
On the back of the watch are 2 small screws. My goal is to use 2 tiny magnets to hold a cable to the back side of the watch via these screws. This will make the cable MUCH smaller and no longer require a massive case to be carried around.
Current status:
Contacted a few companies and have a few different connectors coming in to see what will connect best.
PCB design will all depend on the connector we go with
V1 case design is already started for the housing. I will be printing a few samples out with a makerbot in a week or so and will post up
I hope to have an entire v1 test unit done within the next week or 2. I would have this done earlier but I have a massive fluid mechanics midterm tomorrow then will be heading out of town for the rest of the week for work. I should be back in town on Saturday and will be sitting in front of the makerbot and a soldering iron all day. Please stay tuned for updates.
Also all criticism is welcome, tell me what you think, the only thing I ask is to make it constructive. If you think this is a stupid idea because it will not work for some reason, let me know and why. I am a mechanical engineer with a concentration in structural analysis. I know only what I have taught myself about electronics so I admit I dont know as much as many others.

***UPDATES***​
10/31/2013
Currently working on getting sync capabilities working. I have a feeling Samsug did 1 of 2 things
1. Chip requirement like apples cables to allow sync
2. Power on data line
Either way this weekend I should be able to get the sync feature working or at least have parts on order to do so. First run on the spring loaded contact pins were pretty good, but I am going to need something longer. Once the case goes over the PCB board they will no longer be able to connect with the back of the watch. Here is what I am working with at the moment.
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How'd ya like that for a ghetto macguyver job. LOLZ
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

Genshard said:
How'd ya like that for a ghetto macguyver job. LOLZ
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Points for effort !

Got the 1st set of spring pins connectors in. They work but will not be long enough once a case is designed for the unit. Back to ordering more $0.08 1/16" pins!

Try to check the thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2493181&page=5
Pins which You found seems to be very nice and will work well, but regarding the magnetic mounting - check if the screws are magnetic - if they are stainless steel (which they almost for sure are) they will not be magnetic... so this will not hold... the other issue is if the watch has sensors inside they may not like the strong magnetic field...

Can't wait to be able to buy one lol
Sent from my SM-N900T

ktetreault14 said:
Can't wait to be able to buy one lol
Sent from my SM-N900T
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think my charger just also died... Darn!!..
Better go to samsung tomorrow...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

lukasz said:
if they are stainless steel (which they almost for sure are) they will not be magnetic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends, not all stainless steel is the same. Depends on the blend. Some are quite magnetic.

Related

LG 4x HD Fits the Galaxy S II desk dock! Plus my customcar install

I ordered a cheap desk stand from eBay, for the galaxy SII and the 4x HD fits perfectly!
I also customised a dock for my car, got fed up with trying to squeeze the phone into a rubbish looking universal mount, then connecting a trailing cable. So I hid the cables hard-wired behind the dash, and dremel'd the dock to shape, bent it with a hot air-gun, clamping it in a vice. Getting the connector to stay in place took a hot glue gun. (leaving a cavity underneath means I can still reach my headlight switch, not that i use it, I leave it set to on 100% of the time on the Volvo, as it makes no difference - the daytime running lights are set up to be the main dipped headlights anyway!)
I think now I've got a working prototype I'll buy another and redo it a bit neater. (The dock is only about £4 from china!) as the plastic has reacted a bit to the heat!
The dock is simply squeezed into the gap in the dash trim, it holds fine.
The phone jiggles a bit and it isn't angled towards the driver quite right, but it's fine, and certainly easier than having to fiddle the phone and charger in every time I get in the car!
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look great !!! cool man ^^
I Should add, people have commented on two things - firstly in a crash it's going to fly out very easy and be dangerous (Though surely any cheap phone mount will also! Only something like a Brodit will hold it very securely)
Secondly (and quite worryingly!) Perhaps the charging socket will wear out from sitting wobbling around?
Nice but isn't mobile blocking your air-conditioning channel?
Sent from my LG-P880 using xda app-developers app
Yeah, but sitting in the flow of air wasn't a big deal for me. Most universal mounts mount onto a vent!
I since removed this! Firstly, the phone wobbles quite a lot - I was worried that the charging socket could get worn out.
Also, in the event of a crash it would fly around quite easily!
I now use a Clingo, but I modified it by screwing the tip of the ball-joint onto a Brodit base, so it's held next to my stereo
Hi, can you please give the url for the dock you bought ?
Thanks.
elepreta found
Wow!! what a creative idea, charging and cooling at the same time. Good job.
@Ben-B can you post the ebay link? looks like a really good idea for us 4x drivers. I assume ANY S2 docks will do right?
Life'sGood said:
@Ben-B can you post the ebay link? looks like a really good idea for us 4x drivers. I assume ANY S2 docks will do right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have one like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sync-Charge-Cradle-Dock-Station-Charger-For-Samsung-Galaxy-S2-S3-S4-i9300-i9500-/231021608377?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&var=&hash=item35c9f5fdb9
Though I've now added a shim of card (taped on the back part with black electrical tape) to hold it at just the right angle.
Just to clarify, I'm just talking about desk stands here, the car cradle idea was just me bodging a desk stand, but I don't use that any more.
I doubt a real G S2 car cradle will hold the 4x, the width would have to be the same and I'm sure it's not!

Picked this up today...

So I was out shopping with my wife and came across this. Thought it was pretty cool so I decided ti get it. Problem is that the base part won't fit the phone because it's too small. I'm trying to find a way to have it fit but not sure where to begin. .. any ideas? I(t's a Hype retro handset, but also included the base (or dock), which is where the issue is...
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I really like the handset part. Just had a 3 hour long conversation with my dad and it was onky toward the end that my ear started to hurt a little lol.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
what is it?
It is a retro styled device that turns your phone into a 80's style desk phone. You can either rest your phone in the base part (or dock) and connect it through the supplied 3.5mm jack or you can use the handset piece separate and also plug just that part into the 3.5mm jack.
Here I thought I was bad taking pictures :laugh:
Guess its cute but how practical is it
IamPro said:
Here I thought I was bad taking pictures :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's probably just the lighting in my man cave lol.
IamPro said:
Guess its cute but how practical is it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's something I could definitely see using at home. I had the phone in my front pocket and the handset hooked into the jack and was able to use it with no issues. The handset also has its own volume adjustment which is nice. That said, it's probably not for everyone...
It might look a bit strange carrying around the handset piece and using it in public hehe. For a relatively older guy like me (I'm 36), I grew up with these kinds of phones so it definitely appeals to me.
My sister in law just got herself the handset piece (you can buy it separate) and she likes it too.
The base (dock) will accomodate most other phones. But the Note 2 is too wide to fit the opening... so I'm trying to think of ways to either make it fit or some other solution..
Maybe this pic will help clarify...
That's my wife's Galaxy S3 in there..
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
damn funny!
Any eBay link?
diehardbattery said:
So I was out shopping with my wife and came across this. Thought it was pretty cool so I decided ti get it. Problem is that the base part won't fit the phone because it's too small. I'm trying to find a way to have it fit but not sure where to begin. .. any ideas? I(t's a Hype retro handset, but also included the base (or dock), which is where the issue is...
I really like the handset part. Just had a 3 hour long conversation with my dad and it was onky toward the end that my ear started to hurt a little lol.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where'd you get it?
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
I quick searched ebay but couldn't find the exact device.
The closest one I could find (and really nice imo) is this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Ret...256356?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item4abf12bda4
I think it'll work on our phones, my only question is about that port on the back side that looks like a typical phone line port. I'm not sure what is it for, plus I cannot figure out whether the device actually charges the phone too..
jdyowa said:
Where'd you get it?
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it at Bed Bath and Beyond. Funny because they don't list it on their website either. The closest thing they have listed is the handset piece itself.. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=40088341&RN=2017&KSKU=203210&
Here's a couple box shots...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
stormrain said:
I think it'll work on our phones, my only question is about that port on the back side that looks like a typical phone line port. I'm not sure what is it for, plus I cannot figure out whether the device actually charges the phone too..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is one 3.5mm female jack on the left side of the device that the handset connects to. The handset can either be connected to that, or you can connect it directly to the phone's 3.5mm jack. If you connect the handset to the device, there is a male 3.5mm jack that is used as a passthrough for the handset to connect to the phone. At the bottom of the device the hole you see is to pass a cord for a wall charger, so no, the device itself won't charge your phone. Hope that clears things up a bit.

Review: InfiniApps Magnet Car Mount

Got this a few days ago for $30 on ebay and love it. I honestly couldn't go with anything other than magnetic - it's so easy and convenient to just quickly sit your phone against the mount or pull it back for texting at a light, etc. There really isn't much to say since the concept is pretty simple. The suction base works well on my textured dash and the magnet grips well. I haven't used it on a race track or anything but I don't take corners or always accelerate super slow either and the phone never budges. It's also great that the dock works with any phone so if you share your car or get a new device, you don't have to change mounts or have more than one. The only way it could be improved is if it had wireless charging built in too (though for verizon versions this wouldn't help most). But the phones battery is good enough that it shouldn't need to be plugged in for any trips that aren't very long anyways.
Also, I recommend the free app "IntelliScreen" with this. The app makes it so the screen won't timeout when certain apps are up on the screen (and it does some other stuff too). I made it so the music and maps app don't timeout so that I don't have to constantly hit the screen button while driving to see and control things.
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Looks like the imagnet, do you think they are neodymium magnets inside?
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
any pictures of it on your phone and dash? not to mention magnets and spen problems?
Buzz20 said:
Looks like the imagnet, do you think they are neodymium magnets inside?
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not positive but when the phone is put around half an inch from it or so, it easily sticks to the mount. It's not strong enough where it's difficult to pull off, but I actually believe I could go to a race track and record video from my phone's camera while it is on the mount and not have any problems with it moving/falling. I had seen the imagnet at first on amazon and was going to get that, but this one doesn't look like it's an iphone accessory so I won't have people asking/thinking I have an iphone that I give rides to, if I don't put my phone on it.
Daemos said:
any pictures of it on your phone and dash? not to mention magnets and spen problems?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't think of the spen because I don't ever really use it. I just tried it out and it doesn't work where the magnet is. However, it's so quick to take it off the mount and imo it's a lot more convenient to write/draw on it in your hand, so it shouldn't be a problem for a lot of people if not most. Navigation and everything else still works though.
I will also get a picture of the phone on the mount tonight.
Magnetic mounts are the way to go! Got a link?
mrnamster said:
Magnetic mounts are the way to go! Got a link?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is a link.
http://www.infiniappstand.com/
It is exactly the same as iMagnet - READ
Lord Sekhmet said:
Here is a link.
http://www.infiniappstand.com/
It is exactly the same as iMagnet - READ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably identical products, owned by the same parent company, selling under dual brands. It increases market exposure.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2

DIY Nexus 7 Portrait Dock

Currently in the planning phase, only a rough draft has been made for it to show what it may look like when finished, it is not scaled or optimized correctly yet. The end result might end up with 4x speakers instead of 2 but that also depends on what type of speakers I end up using "I am leaning on Logitech ones at the moment".
Specifications
LED Lighting in the Nexus sign
1x 3.5mm Headphone Jack Female (front)
2x USB (back)
1x Mini usb (back)
1x 3.5mm Headphone Jack Male (under where you put the tablet)
1x Micro USB (under where you put the tablet)
2x Speakers (Might end up making them Bluetooth speakers to kill off that extra audio jack)
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How im gonna build it is that I am going to submit the final design once completed to a rabid prototyping company and have them 3d print the shell out for me, I then will add the electronics that I will salvage from cheap devices and solider them together inside the shell.
If anyone knows how I can get that soft rubberized feeling from the back of the tablet please let me know, id rather go with that type of finish.
"My friend just gave me an idea on how that I might also be able to add landscape mode without modifying the design". Ill have to do a little bit of extra planning later on how I am going to achieve this.
Troopermanaic said:
If anyone knows how I can get that soft rubberized feeling from the back of the tablet please let me know, id rather go with that type of finish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aren't there products like spray paint that can give you something like that?
Jaxidian said:
Aren't there products like spray paint that can give you something like that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forgot about Plastidip, thanks.
Troopermanaic said:
Forgot about Plastidip, thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you use something like that, might be wise to *not* spray it on the inside of the dock where your tablet goes in. It might cause some unwanted friction against the Nexus 7.
Along with the drip stuff there are quite a few spray paint type texture paints you could try. The local big box store should have a few different options
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
bsoplinger said:
Along with the drip stuff there are quite a few spray paint type texture paints you could try. The local big box store should have a few different options
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very cool design. I will certainly be following this. Have you picked out the company that would be prototyping this for you? I have an idea that I wanted to do myself but I couldn't find a company to do it.
I like this idea a lot. What I was thinking would be perfect for a shop/garage setup. Hope this comes together for you.
http://www.zoomrp.com/
They make some impressive things.
Talked to a friend today about some design plans and he brought up the possibility of adding a few features such as making it wall mountable putting a rechargeable battery in it and a few other things not worth mentioning so I decided I am going to release the plans once completed so everyone else can build their own.
I'm doing this because of the amount of good feedback I have gotten from the 3d community I'm part of at deviantart.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

Homemade Car Magnet Stand

I do a lot of homework comparing specs when shopping for devices, but always forget to consider accessories.
I guess I am also cheap, but spending 75$ + on smartphone holder seems silly.So, like with my GNex it's time to build docks and stands again.
More will come, this time with turbo charging and Qi instead of pogo pins.
This stand was a quickie until I get a chance to do more serious tinkering.
The section base is from an old broken and undersized universal stand
The main bracket is from some IKEA cabinet I cant find link to.
The magnets are neodymium similar to BAC6 BAC6
The rest is random screws & bolts from the junk box.
I still need to cut/drill the bracket to allow for connection of car charger, pics to follow when I get access to tools next week. It holds good on kevlar back especially with the slight support from bracket lip underneath. Finding a good suction surface in the car is another story...
I open the floor to questions.
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[/IMG]
Interesting, but looks a little "home made". But if that doesn't bother you, that's fine
Augman said:
Interesting, but looks a little "home made". But if that doesn't bother you, that's fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thus the home-made in the title.
There are a little bit less than ZERO accesories for sale here in Norway,, and I enjoy tinkering.
If you check out the Galaxy Nexus forum there were many people creating their own cool docks and chargers.
I don't use the phone as a status symbol, so it doesn't bother me.
I won't switch to an iPhone just for the accessories so I gotta make my own.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-nexus/accessories/diy-workshop-mods-homemade-docks-t1700672
subvertz said:
Thus the home-made in the title.
There are a little bit less than ZERO accesories for sale here in Norway,, and I enjoy tinkering.
If you check out the Galaxy Nexus forum there were many people creating their own cool docks and chargers.
I don't use the phone as a status symbol, so it doesn't bother me.
I won't switch to an iPhone just for the accessories so I gotta make my own.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-nexus/accessories/diy-workshop-mods-homemade-docks-t1700672
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I respect your stance about status symbols, and I applaud you for taking the time to invent your own car mount. I don't think I would have the patience or capability.
It would be pretty neat if you integrate a QI charger into that
windraver said:
It would be pretty neat if you integrate a QI charger into that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right, that would be cool. I wish they would make a screen protector that wraps around the back of the phone and connects into the battery-- the screen protector could be a mini solar panel, and any light the screen sees would be converted in to energy. How about that for an idea?
Augman said:
You are right, that would be cool. I wish they would make a screen protector that wraps around the back of the phone and connects into the battery-- the screen protector could be a mini solar panel, and any light the screen sees would be converted in to energy. How about that for an idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's an interesting thought. But the issue with be the solar panel but the circuitry to regulate and control the power. A phone case would be thick enough though. Intergrate seven Qi wireless solar power charging. Boom!
Edit: I used speak to text to write that. You have failed me Google. But I'm not fixing it, figure it out
Nice bit of handy work. How comes you didn't just go for one of those universal type holders? There's plenty available on the market with most shipping to Norway?
Either way, good work on the one you made :good:

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