Micro USB issues ...

[Jethro_uk]

I've recently discovered the wonder of magnetic USB cables where a connector tip is plugged into the USB socket, and a cable with a magnetic connection just sticks to it to charge. The premise being a reduction in mechanical stress which will eventually lead to failure.

(Given the slowdown in mobile tech developments, it seems phones are going to live longer).

My problem is I have a Wileyfox Swift (good phone, s**te customer "service" for the curious). For some reason it's USB port isn't as "tight" as others, and the magnetic cable keeps pulling the tip out - which rather defeats the object.

Currently I have a 1-layer wrap of sellotape bulking things out (I really couldn't see how an angle grinder helps here :) ). What would others have done.

IF nothing else, the idea of the magnetic charger is a godsend for using the phone as a sat-nav. If for no other reason than the cable-tip connection is reversible.

[Chris Bartram]

I'd heard that, but recently had good service- mine has needed a screen replacement under warranty (it developed a discoloured border), and it was pretty painless. The phone *is* great, as you say: cheap, quick, 4G, dual SIM.

The problem is that the socket is too deeply recessed:

the lead that comes with the phone has a slightly longer metal body. I've taken to modifying plugs with a stanley knife to suit the phone by trimming a small amount of plastic.

[T i m]

I've had one of those on an Archos tablet for maybe a year now and found it to have been a great way of 'repairing' a damaged uUSB port.

However, the one I got fitted in pretty tightly but I did consider a couple of tiny dabs of something like Evostick (or hotmelt) under the flange to hold it in place but be removable if required.

The only issues I've experienced is the magnetic lead came with a std USB plug and so I had to fit a uUSB female to std USB female converter to allow me to use a std uUSB fixed-wire charger. It's fine directly into a std USB socketed chargers but not all chargers (or devices) are created equal.

Another issue is the wire is quite stiff and so can detach the magnetic connector quite easily. This can be a good thing if you trip over the cable or walk off with it plugged in etc but it can also fall off when the std uUSB connector typically wouldn't.

Lastly, assuming you have glued the converter in place and you carry the thing around (as you would with a phone or tablet), it might be a good idea to get a few of them so you can keep a spare lead in the car or your jacket etc.

The 'MagSafe' connector Apple used on their laptop is one of the few things I specifically like about Apples designs. Not just because of how nice they are to use but also how many conventional power connectors sockets I've repaired for other people on laptops (and other stuff, the last being a childs Karaoke machine ) over the years.

Cheers, T i m

[Jethro_uk]

Not being an iFan, I wasn't aware of that. Does the recent flood of magnetic connectors (which I am noticing are of variable quality and not necessarily interchangeable) suggest that Apple forgot to patent it, have decided not to pursue it, or somewhere have lost a patent battle ?

Magnetic connectors fall into the category of "why didn't they think of that *ages* ago" (like the 1990s) ? Unless there were issues around sourcing the strength of magnets needed ?

I'm also wondering how/if magnetic gubbins like these affect the devices compass ?

[T i m]

This only applies to (some of?) their laptops AFAIK.

I doubt they would have forgotten to do that so it's either run out, is sufficiently different or it's just China doing what it does. ;-)

They may be part of it.

I guess if you were unlucky and had the magnetometer right behind the uUSB / power socket but I'm not sure these things would interact ITRW.

I remember Dad saying the compass on his Shell oil tanker was in it's own room. ;-)

Cheers, T i m

[Andy Burns]

Apple's patent cites an earlier one from 1937, I don't think the apple one has expired yet, only from 2007

So either people are using a non-infringing method, or its just China and they don't care.

[Chris Green]

They are rather dependent on there being some iron/steel in the socket though.

[jrwalliker]

I designed a magnetic connector for percutaneously connected cochlear impla nts around 1980. I still have documentation and prototypes around, so ther e is documented prior art. At the time, the general idea didn't seem that novel, although some of the details were.

The magnets were samarium cobalt with nickel and then gold plating on top t o improve corrosion resistance. Another very powerful magnetic material I experimented with for this application was platinum cobalt.

John

[jrwalliker]

With line breaks... I designed a magnetic connector for percutaneously connected cochlear implants around 1980. I still have documentation and prototypes around, so there is documented prior art. At the time, the general idea didn't seem that novel, although some of the details were. The magnets were samarium cobalt with nickel and then gold plating on top to improve corrosion resistance. Another very powerful magnetic material I experimented with for this application was platinum cobalt.

John

[Chris Green]

Yes, I do realise that there are other magnetic materials.

However in this particular case it's rather unlikely that there will be custom magnets installed into the socket! :-)

The only likely 'stuff' for a magnet in a microUSB connector to stick to is some steel.

[Jethro_uk]

I *really* cannot fault the phone. The USB socket is the only gripe.

But "customer service" ... jeez.

It all started (wrong) when I got the phone (Xmas 2015). I tried to go on their website to register it (and get the free case). After a few attempts, it was clear the website was f***ed - it refused to progress as it insisted my email address needed a "@".

After 2 weeks trying, I called the CS number. Spoke to a chap who admitted they had problems with the website, but he could manually register my phone. I provided all details, and parked the matter. I did start receiving spam though.

Come November, I am invited to order early the Swift 2+. Which reminds me of my missing free case. Upshot is my phone wasn't registered, and they refused to allow me to register it (so no free screen) as it was "past 30 days". At which point they just stopped responding to my emails. Completely blanked.

So, yes, good phone. But I am not going to risk >£130 with them a second time. I've been lucky with them so far.

Their FB page suggests I am not alone. And I am wary of any business that is happier to leave negative FB comments than actually deal with (in my case) unhappy campers.

[Jethro_uk]

p.s. they are *still* spamming me.

[Tim Streater]

And that is strange because?

[Jethro_uk]

?

It was a valid email address, but the form refused to process it. Amateur to say the least.

[Huge]

As opposed to your somewhat duplicitous stance?

[Jethro_uk]

??

[Huge]

Oh, do stop it.

[Jethro_uk]

spot on !