What is the 4 pin connector used for?

**jpash549** · 10-22-2012, 09:03 PM

With the Nexus 7 sitting in the dock one would still have access to the micro usb port. Supposedly this could be used for input or output if Google gives us the necessary software.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

**jjhoneck** · 10-23-2012, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by jpash549gg

With the Nexus 7 sitting in the dock one would still have access to the micro usb port. Supposedly this could be used for input or output if Google gives us the necessary software.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

Why in the world is Asus/Google dragging their heels on this?

Sent from my Nexus 7

**svfd757** · 10-23-2012, 12:08 AM

Same reason Google/Samsung dragged their collective feet on the dock for the Galaxy Nexus. Who knows their reasoning.....

**jjhoneck** · 10-23-2012, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by svfd757

Same reason Google/Samsung dragged their collective feet on the dock for the Galaxy Nexus. Who knows their reasoning.....

This makes no sense at all. The Nexus 7 is the bestselling Android tablet in history. They could have sold hundreds of thousands of landscape docks that took advantage of that 4-pin connector. I certainly would have bought one.

Instead, I bought some cheap portrait "dock" that sets the N7 precariously atop a micro-USB plug. It's neither secure nor sturdy.

Whether Google/Asus is guilty of poor planning, poor execution, or is just plain stupid remains to be seen.

Sent from my Nexus 7

**YAYTech** · 10-23-2012, 01:52 PM

Perhaps we can hope they announce some new accessories monday as well?

**svfd757** · 10-23-2012, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by YAYTech

Perhaps we can hope they announce some new accessories monday as well?

I am hoping for the same

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

**garyart1** · 10-23-2012, 08:44 PM

I am guessing a big hold up with the dock might have been the N7's inability to get the home screens in landscape mode. Now Google has fixed that, I would think the dock would be made available soon.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

**sniffels** · 11-01-2012, 03:45 PM

with all of this confusion over landscape mode on the n7 and the rotatelock app (never heard of it), i've been using Nova Launcher for over a month (started on ADW EX, they all work fine) and have been enjoying landscape the entire time. as surprised as i am that google would include landscape this late into the game on the n7, i'd be even more surprised to find that they're holding back a dock over this

**retsaw** · 11-01-2012, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by garyart1

I am guessing a big hold up with the dock might have been the N7's inability to get the home screens in landscape mode. Now Google has fixed that, I would think the dock would be made available soon.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

There never was a problem with the homescreen and landscape mode, it's just that Google chose not to enable it. If your Nexus 7 was rooted all you had to do was add a single line to your build.prop to enable it.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

**philba** · 11-01-2012, 09:26 PM

Do you know that this works by default in the JB update (4.1.2)? Rooting not needed. All orientations work for the homescreen (even with the microusb connector on the top - ie, upside down).

A few apps don't like it though - iirc, words with friends refuses to go upside down.

**retsaw** · 11-03-2012, 02:44 PM

Yes I knew that. It should have been clear I was referring to before the update from the context of what I was replying to.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

**grafx1** · 11-05-2012, 07:33 AM

Apparently there are several charging docking stations for sale already for the Nexus 7. See this Amazon page:

Amazon.com: nexus 7 docking station

**turdbogls** · 11-05-2012, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by grafx1

Apparently there are several charging docking stations for sale already for the Nexus 7. See this Amazon page:

Amazon.com: nexus 7 docking station

not the same thing at all. as a user of USB docks, i would advise everyone to stay away. they just dont work that well. they are tough to get the device to sit in there, and some of them put all the tablets weight right on the USB plug...which is not good. plus this only allows for charging.

with the 4 Pin dock, you can charge, output music to external speakers, and use an OTG cable for USB accessories (keyboard/mouse/thumb drive)
it allows much more versatility as well as a SUPER easy connection...it is literally drop and go where a micro USB plug requires some alignment and some force to get the connection

**jjhoneck** · 11-05-2012, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by turdbogls

not the same thing at all. as a user of USB docks, i would advise everyone to stay away. they just dont work that well. they are tough to get the device to sit in there, and some of them put all the tablets weight right on the USB plug...which is not good. plus this only allows for charging.

with the 4 Pin dock, you can charge, output music to external speakers, and use an OTG cable for USB accessories (keyboard/mouse/thumb drive)
it allows much more versatility as well as a SUPER easy connection...it is literally drop and go where a micro USB plug requires some alignment and some force to get the connection

Agree 100%. I use USB charging docks for the Nexus 7 and Samsung Galaxy every night, and they are NOT optimal. They are difficult to align and seat, and could easily break off or damage the units.

So where is the 4 Pin dock we all want?

Sent from my Nexus 7

**Unicorn Rancher** · 11-05-2012, 11:39 AM

Has Asus or Google published the specs for the Pogo pin layout on the Nexus 7? I'm thinking of building a redneck charging dock that takes my N7 in its case. I have a charger from an old phone, some scrap lumber, glue, and a soldering iron.

**natehoy** · 11-05-2012, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by UnicornRancher

Has Asus or Google published the specs for the Pogo pin layout on the Nexus 7? I'm thinking of building a redneck charging dock that takes my N7 in its case. I have a charger from an old phone, some scrap lumber, glue, and a soldering iron.

No official specs, but several people on XDA are reporting that the top pin is +5VDC and the bottom pin is Ground, ...

Unfortunately, it looks like it charges it but does not tell the OS that its being charged. There's probably some sort of signalling that has to come in on the other two pins to tell the OS that the device is charging?

Lots of good research on that thread. There doesn't appear to be a clear consensus as to what the middle pins are for, but the majority are guessing left and right speaker out.

But it will at least get you started.

**ChromeJob** · 11-06-2012, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by turdbogls

not the same thing at all. as a user of USB docks, i would advise everyone to stay away. they just dont work that well. they are tough to get the device to sit in there, and some of them put all the tablets weight right on the USB plug...which is not good. ...

Absolutely concur. Putting even a little weight or strain on your microUSB port could be disastrous over the long term. I find it's a tight fit, too, so I'd hate to see what a slightly off-spec dock would do to it.

So please, don't confuse a dock that uses the pogo pin connection that's designed for docking with a microUSB "charging stand" made by a third party.

**sampoodle** · 11-18-2012, 12:35 PM

Bump to find out if there are news on a pin charger dock...?

As a new user the micro USB port makes me nervous, as it feels tight and fragile... a charging dock would please me.