What is the 4 pin connector used for?

[retsaw]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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, ... Nexus 7 POGO GPIO PINS on Side - Page 4 - xda-developers

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]

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]

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.

 

[Ph9214]

Re: What is the 4 pin connector used for

I think it is used as an input method for a keyboard or a mouse!

 

[jpash549]

The official Nexus 7 charging dock is available at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-The-Offi...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU3000159

The acceptance was not great. It used the wall charger supplied with the N7 to charge and you could use it to play music with with the data coming through the center pins. There were complaints that the charging rate was too slow to keep up with the battery drain.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ChromeJob]

The official Nexus 7 charging dock is available at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-The-Offi...ag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU3002237

The acceptance was not great. It used the wall charger supplied with the N7 to charge and you could use it to play music with with the data coming through the center pins. There were complaints that the charging rate was too slow to keep up with the battery drain.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Not my experience at all. I don't believe it will support a data connection, just charge and audio out.

// Tapatalk HD for Android - Nexus 7 //

 

[jpash549]

Not my experience at all. I don't believe it will support a data connection, just charge and audio out.

// Tapatalk HD for Android - Nexus 7 //

Audio coming out is data. Believe the micro USB connection is still available for other uses. Have you been able to use it for anything ? Also do you have any choices on what app provides the audio out and what is played?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Miguel Realinho]

I just noticed a 4 pin connector on the side of the tablet. What is this used for?