Possible free solution to enter "Dock Mode"

[colnago]

FWIW, I was able to get my T-Mobile Motorola Defy (runs on AT&T's 850 band for 3G if anyone is interested) to run in "Home Dock" (alarm clock) mode by using the free app Any Cut, found in the market. I just created my own shortcut by choosing an "Activity", and then selecting the process, "Desk Home".

If the the HDMI cables are readily accessible, it may be possible to at least get the phone to work in the "desktop mode", just by creating the shortcut to the right process...if anyone is willing to try, and report back.

My Defy is pretty much the little brother of the Atrix, and given the price points of the laptop dock, and required plan, I'm reluctant to give up my $15/mo. unlimited MediaNet plan, and get the Atrix. Especially since I'm running a Nokia E72 on AT&T 3G without issue.

 

[mrvirginia]

FWIW, I was able to get my T-Mobile Motorola Defy (runs on AT&T's 850 band for 3G if anyone is interested) to run in "Home Dock" (alarm clock) mode by using the free app Any Cut, found in the market. I just created my own shortcut by choosing an "Activity", and then selecting the process, "Desk Home".

If the the HDMI cables are readily accessible, it may be possible to at least get the phone to work in the "desktop mode", just by creating the shortcut to the right process...if anyone is willing to try, and report back.

My Defy is pretty much the little brother of the Atrix, and given the price points of the laptop dock, and required plan, I'm reluctant to give up my $15/mo. unlimited MediaNet plan, and get the Atrix. Especially since I'm running a Nokia E72 on AT&T 3G without issue.

what? this whole post was a little confusing.
desktop mode (not webtop) works without the dock. it's just you can't use the webtop app. and mini HDMI cables are readily available. i picked one up last year when i built my new PC rig and got new vcards. ended up not needing the cable so i'm glad i'll be able to use it with the phone.

 

[colnago]

The intent was to be able to use the phone, with a keyboard and monitor, in "webtop mode" (i.e. full Firefox browser, phonetop access on monitor, etc), without the presence of the dock itself. I was not aware that this was possible "sans dock".

 

[shalemail]

Question, if you're running a defy on AT&T's 850 band for 3G do you have full functionality? Picture mail, mobile internet, the works? I am currently running a My Touch Slide and I only get edge and can only connect to the internet via wifi....I might look at the defy as an alternative...

Thanks!

 

[mrvirginia]

The intent was to be able to use the phone, with a keyboard and monitor, in "webtop mode" (i.e. full Firefox browser, phonetop access on monitor, etc), without the presence of the dock itself. I was not aware that this was possible "sans dock".

you are correct. thank you for being more specific
again, the webtop app is only activated with a dock. you will not have this functionality without the multimedia dock.

you'll still be able to hook it up via mini HDMI to HDMI and play music and things like that, though.

the dock and webtop app experience is catered towards people who do not have computers at home for whatever reason. in this instance, i would say it's well worth it to pick up the multimedia dock for the added functionality.

i've updated my first post accordingly as to clarify further.

 

[colnago]

...again, the webtop app is only activated with a dock. you will not have this functionality without the multimedia dock...

Well, again, the car dock and home dock modes can be activated via software based shotcuts, for the Defy and the Droid(s), when they are normally activated by the dock(s) (magnets).

My theory is that the same can be done with the Atrix, eliminating the need for the physical dock.

 

[DT]

Well, again, the car dock and home dock modes can be activated via software based shotcuts, for the Defy and the Droid(s), when they are normally activated by the dock(s) (magnets).

My theory is that the same can be done with the Atrix, eliminating the need for the physical dock.

On my Captivate, it's just an app I run (for Home or Car "dock" mode).

I suspect, the Atrix dock/NOTbook has some firmware that handshakes with the USB connection to trigger the webtop mode.

I havent' put a ton of thought into how they work, but if +I+ was designing a mode that required a specific peripheral, I'd put a simple call via the USB port that returns an encrypted key, that fires up the required mode (not unlike the old USB/Parallel/serial type dongles).

 

[colnago]

Question, if you're running a defy on AT&T's 850 band for 3G do you have full functionality? Picture mail, mobile internet, the works? I am currently running a My Touch Slide and I only get edge and can only connect to the internet via wifi....I might look at the defy as an alternative...

Thanks!

http://androidforums.com/motorola-defy/217815-t-mobile-usa-defy-working-t-3g.html

 

[shalemail]

Thanks man, the link you directed me to didn't really say how the coverage was and if you had full functionality. It gave me the impression it was all fine but you even mention in there that you went back to your T-Mobile SIM as it had better coverage where you were.

I will wait for the Atrix if I can't get full service out of my phone with the Defy. I really want either a superior experience (Atrix) at a high price or an acceptable experience (Defy) at a low price (I can get a defy on Craigslist for $175-200 and I wouldn't be saddled with the $25 a month data plan.)

 

[colnago]

I would not have posted that the Defy was "working", if it did not have full functionality.

Now that am working all day at in office building where "no carrier has good reception except T-Mobile", I continue to use the Defy on T-Mo, as it is my only source for internet. Otherwise, I get full bars 3G on AT&T throughout the Northeastern US with Motorola Q...YMMV, if you don't live in the same areas. I got the Defy right after the job change, so no chance to test other areas.

 

[shalemail]

I would not have posted that the Defy was "working", if it did not have full functionality.

Now that am working all day at in office building where "no carrier has good reception except T-Mobile", I continue to use the Defy on T-Mo, as it is my only source for internet. Otherwise, I get full bars 3G on AT&T throughout the Northeastern US with Motorola Q...YMMV, if you don't live in the same areas. I got the Defy right after the job change, so no chance to test other areas.

Hey thanks, I may just do this. I am in Kansas City and get great coverage everywhere I go through AT&T, just want a decent Android phone and be able to use it.

I really appreciate your patience with me on this, just covering my bases.

 

[colnago]

Hey thanks, I may just do this. I am in Kansas City and get great coverage everywhere I go through AT&T, just want a decent Android phone and be able to use it.

I really appreciate your patience with me on this, just covering my bases.

Roger that. But keep in mind, if there is no 850 band coverage in your area (you would most likely have reception issues inside some buildings, but full bars out in the parking lot most likely), you may only get Edge connections on the 1900 band.

 

[shalemail]

Roger that. But keep in mind, if there is no 850 band coverage in your area (you would most likely have reception issues inside some buildings, but full bars out in the parking lot most likely), you may only get Edge connections on the 1900 band.

Are you meaning the GSM 850 band? or the WCDMA 850 band? My Mytouch has the GSM 850 band capability but still only grabs EDGE coverage, I am confused. In looking at the Defy, Cliq 2 and Mytouch Slide, they all have GSM 850 but only the Cliq 2 has WCDMA 850 band? So since you reference the 850 band when talking about your Defy I have to assume you mean GSM, and I am wondering why the mytouch will not pick it up.

Is there some magic voodoo you did to set this up or is the gsm network different in KC than DC?

I know I am a huge pain in the @$$ but I am trying to figure this stuff out for the first time, I have (up to this point) only gotten a phone and been a lemming. Now, I want to be the master of my cellular destiny.

 

[colnago]

WCDMA 850...per the pics in my thread. I wouldn't have bothered if it were just for Edge speeds.

My bad...pics were in AT&T forum thread. Defy forum thread updated with pics.

 

[shalemail]

OK now I am super confused, per the Moto website - WCDMA 900/2100, GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 7.2 Mbps (Category 7/8), EDGE Class 12, GPRS Class 12, HSUPA 2.0 Mbps - Specs for the Defy, how can it pick up the WCDMA 850 band if it is only set up for 900?

The Cliq2 says WCDMA 850/1700/2100.
Wow am I lost.

 

[colnago]

Just look at my pics (UMTS/3G)...but again, this is for the T-Mobile (USA) branded Defy, not the "unlocked global" version.

 

[shalemail]

Just look at my pics (UMTS/3G)...but again, this is for the T-Mobile (USA) branded Defy, not the "unlocked global" version.

I dig, and I believe you, but I am just super confused, maybe it's grabbing it because Moto is such a wide band phone, they seem to have more band options than most phones.

guess I will give it a shot and see.

Thanks again.

 

[shalemail]

Hey colnago,

Got a cheap defy over the weekend, got it unlocked today, works great full coverage exactly as you stated only one issue, and I am only asking because it looks like you are quite knowledgeable about android phones in general. I keep getting an error message in my text for a jumble of numbers saying invalid number? looks like my unlock code? any idea how I can stop this?

 

[colnago]

Hey colnago,

Got a cheap defy over the weekend, got it unlocked today, works great full coverage exactly as you stated only one issue, and I am only asking because it looks like you are quite knowledgeable about android phones in general. I keep getting an error message in my text for a jumble of numbers saying invalid number? looks like my unlock code? any idea how I can stop this?

I also get a few of those texts when I boot up w/AT&T SIM. They stop after I get all logged into MotoBlur, Gmail, etc. Its a nice little phone. I wish I could run on AT&T full time, for when I get reception issues in my local stores.

 

[shalemail]

I also get a few of those texts when I boot up w/AT&T SIM. They stop after I get all logged into MotoBlur, Gmail, etc.

Thanks man I appreciate it

 

[colnago]

Thanks man I appreciate it

Enjoy...awesome that it works on AT&T's $10 & $15/mo MediaNet data plan.

 

[shalemail]

Enjoy...awesome that it works on AT&T's $10 & $15/mo MediaNet data plan.

First, sorry for totally hijacking this thread, second, yes I can't thank you enough, the 24 hour review is awesome. It has really settled in, I did the network update you mentioned over on the Defy board, it's smooth as silk, nice phone to carry me into March till I can really check out the Atrix and see what people think of it.