S4 DockMode works on iBOLT xProDock...

[MikaelPe]

Hello everyone, with this post we can confirm that the Galaxy S4's vehicle "DockMode" works perfect with the xProDock. See image where it was checked today against AT&T's and Sprint's version. Friends from Europe have also confirmed it works fine with the International version.

Driving using the "DockMode" combined with a Bluetooth for hands-free is great as it turns your S4 into a virtual driving assistant and entertainment center, all while you stay away from texting while driving. Keeping the phone above the dashboard obviously also increases both cell phone and GPS reception. Stepping out of the car with a charged phone is another nice benefit with using a charging dock.

Connect the S4 into the xPro and go to "Settings-Accessory" and select "Dock Sound", "Audio out" and "Deskhome display" and then download your favorite "docking app". We've found our own "Dock'n Drive", "CarHome Ultra", "Ulysse Speedometer", "TuneIn" and "Slacker Radio" to be the S4 "Dock home" alternatives. We recommend using one of the first three and then have "shortcuts" to your favorite apps.

The aux-out sound to car-stereo through the microUSB cable also works great on the S4. This means the car-dock only needs ONE cable connected and yet at the other end it splits into a USB male connection and 3.5 mm aux-out that you connect into the vehicle's car-stereo (not needed if you have Bluetooth A2DP support). Keep in mind that Samsung's firmware only allows for "App sound" to be transmitted to the car-speakers through the microUSB, NOT phone calls so you must still use a Bluetooth solution for in-and outgoing calls.

Camera view is also free so you can use the S4 as an excellent "dash cam" with one of the many apps available for capturing video using a "loop". All cases are compatible, even Otterbox Defender or Ballistic Maxx type.

We have also started to ship our new "Stick Anywhere" mount with this which means you can attach it directly to the dashboard's hard surface without using the "disc" used for many years with car-docks. If you don't like the suction Mount concept there's an AMPS plate option which allows you to mount the xPro on a KUDA or ProClip mount for example.

You can order the xProDock for Galaxy S4 on Amazon in the US and Europe. Just type in "xProDock" on eBay and we should have it listed there too in most countries.

Feel free to ask questions or use this thread to discuss any product in the category... We'll comment if warranted. Thanks!

 

[KryptosXLayer2]

Definitely interested in this if we can't figure out what the hell is going on with the Infuse dock on the Samsung branded car dock thread!

 

[MikaelPe]

Definitely interested in this if we can't figure out what the hell is going on with the Infuse dock on the Samsung branded car dock thread!

The Infuse Dock can't be used with the Galaxy S4 no matter what. This has to do with the fact that Samsung has changed the pin-out configuration when moving to the "new platform" so there's no technical way (to the best of our knowledge) to get it to charge or to start the car-mode. Not sure if this helps?

 

[KryptosXLayer2]

The Infuse Dock can't be used with the Galaxy S4 no matter what. This has to do with the fact that Samsung has changed the pin-out configuration when moving to the "new platform" so there's no technical way (to the best of our knowledge) to get it to charge or to start the car-mode. Not sure if this helps?

Oh it helps alright, between this and your comment on the other thread, I'm going to have to give up on the Infuse dock.... it worked great for the Skyrocket and SIII for me, and I should be glad that I had it for those two phones, but now it's time to move on and go with yours - thanks again for your help with this!

I'll be the first to say that this universal dock has convinced someone who has never even considered a universal dock, this is definitely the one to buy if you need a mount for the S4 while driving.... and who doesn't? Samsung realy dropped the ball on this - all these great features to "make life better with your life companion," and they rip out the ability to dock the damn phone on their own dock? This and the TecTiles? Come on, makes me go crazy over here, but I digress - thanks Mikael, much appreciated, great work!

Placing my order right now!!! But wait til you see how I'm mounting it, going to make it mine if it kills me, haha

EDIT - Amazon order number ends in 0420217, can't wait to get this dock installed, thanks again

 

[snakecharmer23]

Oh it helps alright, between this and your comment on the other thread, I'm going to have to give up on the Infuse dock.... it worked great for the Skyrocket and SIII for me, and I should be glad that I had it for those two phones, but now it's time to move on and go with yours - thanks again for your help with this!

I'll be the first to say that this universal dock has convinced someone who has never even considered a universal dock, this is definitely the one to buy if you need a mount for the S4 while driving.... and who doesn't? Samsung realy dropped the ball on this - all these great features to "make life better with your life companion," and they rip out the ability to dock the damn phone on their own dock? This and the TecTiles? Come on, makes me go crazy over here, but I digress - thanks Mikael, much appreciated, great work!

Placing my order right now!!! But wait til you see how I'm mounting it, going to make it mine if it kills me, haha

EDIT - Amazon order number ends in 0420217, can't wait to get this dock installed, thanks again

I'm looking forward to seeing your setup. I want lots of pictures.

 

[Lumsdoni]

Will this work with the s-view cover on and folded back?

Swype'd at pace from my Galaxy S2

 

[MasK]

Very interesting indeed...
I have a question.. There is a long cable that is attached to the dock and end with the car-charger right? So is that a standard USB port so I can use my own charger or does it come with a car charger itself?

Now the issue with many standard USB car chargers is that they don't charge the phone fast enough. With the GPS on, it actually drains the battery slowly. I am going to get an official Samsung car charger soon.. but will I be able to use with with the xProDock?

 

[KryptosXLayer2]

Will this work with the s-view cover on and folded back?

Swype'd at pace from my Galaxy S2

Yes, the video they have shows a standard flip cover on the SIII working just fine with it, and other cases all the way up to an Otterbox on a damn Note II will work in this thing!

Very interesting indeed...
I have a question.. There is a long cable that is attached to the dock and end with the car-charger right? So is that a standard USB port so I can use my own charger or does it come with a car charger itself?

Now the issue with many standard USB car chargers is that they don't charge the phone fast enough. With the GPS on, it actually drains the battery slowly. I am going to get an official Samsung car charger soon.. but will I be able to use with with the xProDock?

It does not come with a charging solution, they leave that part up to you, thankfully.... If it were attached to a cheap 1A cigarette lighter adapter, I wouldn't want anything to do with it, but since I can connect this to my 2.1A adapter I already bought and used for months on my SIII, I'm certainly happy with that!

My xProDock is out for delivery, pics coming soon......!

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S 4 using the XDA app

 

[open1your1eyes0]

Very disappointed about the Infuse dock issue but this dock may end up being even better. Purchased and will be sure to test.

 

[randy20g]

It's great! I just received mine and coming off an infuse dock, I love it. I am using it in conjunction with their own app and it works flawlessly. Thanks for the super fast shipping guys.

 

[snakecharmer23]

It's great! I just received mine and coming off an infuse dock, I love it. I am using it in conjunction with their own app and it works flawlessly. Thanks for the super fast shipping guys.

How is the USB connector? Can you get the S4 in and out of the dock and connect the USB with one hand easily?

 

[randy20g]

The USB cord is very stable. It is flexible, but not loose. Similar to the feeling of a goose neck stand. It will stay in the bent shape and position you leave it in. The mount is extremely easy to use, and works with any case. The GS4 goes right into dock mode as soon as it sees the usb plug even if its not connected to power. The cord has a built in plug for the audio as well. The cord has the appearance of being permanently part of the mount, but there is a cover on the back that hides the removable plug. The windshield mount is first rate and did not budge until released.

On a related note....while plugged in, I saw NO battery drain as I had on the Infuse while using map apps, Escort Live radar app, or anything else. The unit continued to charge during all of the above. This in itself is a huge improvement over the previous phone/power combos. I would always have horrible drain even when plugged in when using power hungry apps with BT, GPS, etc...

:victory:

 

[KryptosXLayer2]

On a related note....while plugged in, I saw NO battery drain as I had on the Infuse while using map apps, Escort Live radar app, or anything else. The unit continued to charge during all of the above. This in itself is a huge improvement over the previous phone/power combos. I would always have horrible drain even when plugged in when using power hungry apps with BT, GPS, etc...

:victory:

That has more to do with the charging adapter you're using than the cable itself - what adapter are you using, a 2A or a 1A?

FULL review coming tomorrow from me, lots of pics, lots of details, along with the good AND the to be desired, nothing bad to report! Tired as hell right now and don't have the energy to finish it and post it, so I'm calling it a night...... until tomorrow!

 

[randy20g]

That has more to do with the charging adapter you're using than the cable itself - what adapter are you using, a 2A or a 1A?

FULL review coming tomorrow from me, lots of pics, lots of details, along with the good AND the to be desired, nothing bad to report! Tired as hell right now and don't have the energy to finish it and post it, so I'm calling it a night...... until tomorrow!

For some reason, with the Infuse and dock, it never seemed to matter what power adapter I used... It always discharged. This combo is charging fine.

 

[KryptosXLayer2]

And finally, my incredibly long review on the dock is up, lots of pics!

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2262595

 

[open1your1eyes0]

Kryptos you are a beast!

Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S III using xda premium

 

[KryptosXLayer2]

Kryptos you are a beast!

Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S III using xda premium

Haha, very time consuming, but it's always worth it when recommending a good product and to give some insight that others may not know

Thanks!

 

[KryptosXLayer2]

Just wanted to post a helpful tip to anyone using this dock and wants to keep the screen on ONLY when docked, not all the time like the phone settings menu allows you to set "while charging." Always on while charging means that if my screen comes on for any reason while propped up on my desktop charger in the middle of the night, it's on the whole night! This just helps to utilize both Dock Mode that iBolt has figured out how to incorporate into their xProDock and the original Android Car Mode that we probably all know and love from the days of the Infuse 4G car dock!

Here's the link to the steps I used to get this working - it's a little hectic, but should only take about 2 to 5 minutes to set up, depending on what apps you may or may not have already installed

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=41206483&postcount=11

 

[tdwilli1]

I have the original iBolt with the cable and it does not work on the S4. The phone doesn't charge and audio doesn't come out. I have CarHome Ultra installed and using BeyondPod.
d

 

[KryptosXLayer2]

Hello everyone, with this post we can confirm that the Galaxy S4's vehicle "DockMode" works perfect with the xProDock.....

I have the original iBolt with the cable and it does not work on the S4. The phone doesn't charge and audio doesn't come out. I have CarHome Ultra installed and using BeyondPod.
d

Is it the xProDock? They developed this new dock for Samsung specifically to address the issue that all the old ways wouldn't work on the S4. Their product page shows old docks and new docks with the old "In Vehicle Charging Dock" as separate products to identify this. It's an issue with Samsung changing things around and not something iBolt did in order to make you buy a new dock.... hell, Samsung even axed compatibility with their previous dock, making buying the xProDock the ONLY solution available to charge and send the vehicle into dock mode! I fought to get the Infuse 4G dock to work with the S4, but Samsung tinkered around with stuff so much, they caused me to have to buy the xProDock too....