Guess that settles it for MicroUSB

[Linuxslate]

With the official specs and pictures up for the US version, it pretty much confirms that there was no last-minute addition of a standard micro or mini USB port.

This phone (at least the hardware) would be as close as humanly possible to perfect if it just had a micro USB port and a micro HDMI port on the side.

I REALLY don't like to buy a phone without standard ports. Buying custom cables is so '90's (and wasteful). If I am looking for an excuse to save my money and wait for something else, this would be it.

Most of the other issues in the engadget review don't bother me. Obviously, I haven't used it yet, but from what I've read I actually like some of their UI tweeks, and as posted on streaksmart, it can be replaced/modified.

I don't even care if it ships with 1.6 (which is still a question, I guess). I have 1.6 now, and it works fine.

Having a separate numeric key pad in landscape is just such a cool show-off feature.

In a meeting just a few minutes ago, a couple of co-workers were comparing the screen size of someones new Droid X and an iPhone3GS. HA !! Just Wait a few days !!

[T3rry]

my only real disappointment is the camera quality, i was hoping this thing would allow me to leave my P&S at home, sounds like that's not the case.

[Linuxslate]

I have some hope that the camera quality can be fixed with a firmware upgrade.

You can't fix a crappy sensor with software, but you can correct color/white balance, fix compression issues, fix exposure, adjust flash/shutter timing issues, etc.

If as the review states, it does not have auto flash, that too can be added.

Upgrading the video recording capability may also be possible.

I'm not sure why, but it seems manufactures often take several rev's of the firmware before they get cameras optimized.

Now whether or not a given manufacture actually puts forth the effort is another story.

Lastly, remember that the referenced review is actually based on the UK Streak. The camera issues may have already been fixed/improved in the US firmware.

[KCCharger]

What would be the purpose of Dell using a proprietary power/data port on this phone? Its bad that the addition of micro-usb ports were introduced to phones and now Dell has their own flavor. It makes no sense to not use a port that is common at all, now I will have to carry a USB to Dell Connection with me 24/7 or carry my the damn charger with me every where I go smh....I guess I am use to it cause I have to do the same now with my micro-usb enabled Cliq.

[undrwater]

Anyone notice any of the hardware changes that were mentioned in one of the tweets? Everything looks the same so far.

My biggest gripe is the proprietary port, and my biggest hope was a change to a standard one. I'll live with it, but I'd hope Dell chooses to change that in the future.

[ccooluke]

My question is... how hard would a hardware mod be on this thing? Can we pop out the stupid charger on this thing and swap it with a standard ipod/iphone charger port? That would be amazing and I'd be totally down to do that if it was possible.

[Linuxslate]

I'm not sure changing one proprietary port for another would be much good.

If the Streak gains any popularity at all, somebody will come up with a small adapter that fits the Streak port, and has a standard Mini or Micro USB. Carry this on a keychain, and you're set.

I also foresee HDMI, Audio, etc. breakout cables.

Depending on the price of a Dock, I may buy an extra and dissect it for just such a purpose.

Now putting chips in the cables and docks solely to prevent 3rd party adapters would really p*ss me off.

[ITGUY]

Wow do you think Dell would use a port configuration that Apple uses? lol and to answer your question NO.

It not being micro usb is the only negative for the phone for me. I even heard from a Sony employee that they are supposed to be switchin to micro usbing all their devices, but who knows if that'll even happen.

[Linuxslate]

There is an effort to get all manufactures to use micro USB.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Univers...Mini_and_Micro
(Last 2 paragraphs).

My understanding is that Mini USB was required (or going to be required) by law in China to prevent millions of chargers and cables from going to the land fills every time someone gets a new phone.

The manufactures wanted Micro USB since it is thinner than Mini.

Apparently Dell thinks that the Streak is not a phone, and needs more IO than a phone - hence the 30 pin (and still very thin) connector. I kinda see their reasoning, and as long as all I have to do is carry around a tiny $5 adapter, I'm OK with it.

I'd sure like to see a pin-out of that connector.

[Linuxslate]

May have answered my own question:

Is it PDMI?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDMI

If so, I'll change my story and say this is a good thing.

[NorCal]

Originally Posted by Linuxslate

May have answered my own question:

Is it PDMI?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDMI

If so, I'll change my story and say this is a good thing.

Sweet find. But I can't find anyone that sells a PDMI cable. Chatted with Monoprice to see if they will be selling something like that. No joy

[Linuxslate]

If you look at the referenced document:
http://www.displayport.org/cms/sites...l_Overview.pdf

It's got Dell's name all over it - Not specifically in the PDMI section, but in other parts of the document.

If you spend $71, you can get a copy of the standard, which supposedly has the mechanical drawings of the connectors. I'd hate to pay $71 and then find it has only the standard Display Port connectors.
http://www.ce.org/Standards/browseByCommittee_6322.asp

If we could find picts of the PDMI connectors we could compare with the pictures from this post:
http://www.streaksmart.com/2010/07/d...as-iphone.html

Could someone (Jenn?) please post pictures of the Connector on the Streak and the dock connector?

Does anybody volunteer to dissect their cable or dock?

If the connections in a Streak cable or dock agree with the pinout shown on page 74 of:
http://www.displayport.org/cms/sites...l_Overview.pdf

We'd pretty much have proof.

A quick check would be to just plug the Dell USB cable into a USB port and (carefully) check for +5 and ground on pins 1 and 2, respectively, of the un-connected Streak end of the cable. If you have that, and opens on all pins above 5, it be a good preliminary guess that it was PDMI.

(Please don't try to be a hero, and try stuff like this unless you are familiar with such electrical testing. We are not testing the Streak here, just the cable, but it may be possible to damage the USB host if this is done incorrectly.)

[T3rry]

top is dell, bottom is apple.

[jdmnash]

That wouldn't be thorough enough testing for me. often times manufactures take a standard such as this and tailor it to their needs. my point: any differences between the streak cable and PDMI would be so small that checking only the USB interface (pins 1-5) would not confirm that the rest of the interface is the same (Analog Audio, USB 3.0, Display Port, etc)

[ap3604]

Originally Posted by T3rry

top is dell, bottom is apple.

Thank you for taking the time to post this picture

For some reason I was thinking you could use the apple 30 pin connector