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iPhone and USB hub ....

Hi,

Is there a reason why my iPhone does not show up when connected to my USB 2.0 hub ??? If connected to my iMac it shows up ...

Thanks in advance.



Robert Lespérance

Happy owner of an iMac G5 !!!!, Mac OS X (10.4.10), 1.6 GHZ - 17" - 2.0 Go

Posted on Dec 7, 2007 2:45 PM

Reply
17 replies

Dec 8, 2007 9:17 AM in response to Ansuz82

Hi Ansuz82,

I am disappointed ... I would have better accepted a problem with my computer than a missing feature. I think we should express our disappointment for trivial missing features. Apple usually prevents problems that simple. My computer's 3 USP ports are already crowded ... Plugging my iPhone to my iMac is a plug/unplug situation.

I would have also thought Apple would have implemented a feature that exists already in most of cell phones, a wireless connection to sync with the computer. No wireless and no USB hub connection.

If I add to that the absence of a search feature in iCal and Address Book, the fact that they are no notes already implemeted, I would say they are letting go features bit by bit. Design is good and can get iPhone sold, but we usually think of Apple more like a genial feature driven architect.

Narrowing us to use only one cellular company to get a share of our ATT's (or other cell phone companies) monthly cell fees is the biggest insult to the Apple community. In business we call this a «kick back» and it is normally badly perceived. You sell your product a decent price and with honest and upfront conditions and customers will respect and be loyal. I really don't appreciate this move from Apple and me and my family are loyal users since 1984. Considering asiatic markets are potential buyers and can give Apple big profits, Apple can afford to offer a unlocked iPhone to the world.

So back to my USB hub problem ... I will have to wait for an upgrade, a third party solution or a hack ...

Thanks for answering.



Robert

Dec 8, 2007 9:23 AM in response to romad

romad wrote:
Isn't it just USB-powered hubs? I understood that if you used a hub with its own power supply (wall wart) it would work, but a bus-powered hub like in the keyboard wouldn't work.


This is how I see it. I know some people who have used HUBS and it has worked. I know someone that had a 1.1 USB and used a HUB and it solved the problem of not using a 2.0 USB.

It may not be scientific enough to document it but I think HUBs work for many users.

Dec 8, 2007 9:57 AM in response to Robert Lesperance

Robert Lesperance wrote:
Apple usually prevents problems that simple. My computer's 3 USP ports are already crowded ... Plugging my iPhone to my iMac is a plug/unplug situation.

So plug your other devices into the hub and reserve one dedicated USB port for the iPhone.
I would have also thought Apple would have implemented a feature that exists already in most of cell phones, a wireless connection to sync with the computer. No wireless and no USB hub connection.

The iPhone is not most cell phones. It is a unique piece with unique features. If it did everything that other cells did the same way there would be no need for it.

If I add to that the absence of a search feature in iCal and Address Book, the fact that they are no notes already implemeted, I would say they are letting go features bit by bit. Design is good and can get iPhone sold, but we usually think of Apple more like a genial feature driven architect.

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.htm.
Narrowing us to use only one cellular company to get a share of our ATT's (or other cell phone companies) monthly cell fees is the biggest insult to the Apple community. In business we call this a «kick back» and it is normally badly perceived. You sell your product a decent price and with honest and upfront conditions and customers will respect and be loyal. I really don't appreciate this move from Apple and me and my family are loyal users since 1984. Considering asiatic markets are potential buyers and can give Apple big profits, Apple can afford to offer a unlocked iPhone to the world.

Its not uncommon for a cell to be locked to a carrier upon initial release. In addition to this, there are a few features on the iPhone (Visual Voicemail) that required the carriers to upgrade their current systems. This could not have been offered with an unlocked release.

Message was edited by: Ansuz82

Dec 8, 2007 4:00 PM in response to Robert Lesperance

If your hub has its own power supply it should (work mine does). The reason hubs are a no-no is they can't supply the power required by the iPhone plus other devices. Each USB port on your computer provides 0.5 amps (500 ma). If you have a 4 port hub each port on the hub can only draw .125 amps, which isn't enough to charge the phone or even power it during a sync. This isn't Apple's fault; Physics Rules.

If your hub has its own power supply and is designed correctly IT provides the power rather than drawing power from the computer. It should supply 500 ma on each of its ports. With this type of hub you should have no problem with your iPhone.

Dec 9, 2007 11:39 AM in response to Ansuz82

So plug your other devices into the hub and reserve one dedicated USB port for the iPhone.


Absolutely ridiculous statement. What about all the other devices that need to be plugged into the Mac's USB ports directly. As they said 'my computer's 3 USB ports are already crowded'. There are just too many devices that only work when plugged into the Mac's USB ports. I have spare ports on my powered hub, and on my cinema display, but they're utterly useless for most things - and even fewer things work now with Leopard.

All these USB problems are just incredibly annoying. I spent ages trying various USB PCI cards because I preferred the option of having it fitted internally (and avoiding yet another power socket) only to discover that there aren't any that work reliably in my G5. I then resorted to a USB hub, which I managed ok with using Tiger, but now Leopard has stuffed that up too. Ridiculous putting 3 ports on the Mac, and then having many devices that won't work with hubs.

Dec 9, 2007 1:06 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Hi,

After reading your comments (thank you...) I understand that iPhone can work on specific USB 1.0 or 2.0 hubs. At this point it could be of interest to everyone to know what brand and model of hub works with iPhone.

I appreciate your comment bilbo_baggins, I was wondering if I was alone to use all my USB ports on my iMac.

Regards.



P.S. I am also amazed to see that nobody commented the fact that iPhone can only be used with one cell phone provider ...

Dec 9, 2007 1:15 PM in response to Robert Lesperance

At this point it could be of interest to everyone to know what brand and model of hub works with iPhone.


The standard iPhone dock works with my Belkin 3-port USB 2.0 hub/15-in-1 media reader combo, but the iPhone dual dock (that comes with the Apple Bluetooth Headset) does not (does not charge or appear in iTunes).

The Kensington 7-port USB 2.0 hub (the dome) works unreliably with the dual dock (I haven't tried the standard dock, as I need the dual dock now that I have the bluetooth headset). Sometimes it connects, and syncs, other times I get a message that there was an error, and sometimes it causes iTunes to crash. These problems don't occur when the dual dock is plugged directly into the Mac.

Dec 9, 2007 1:30 PM in response to Robert Lesperance

My iphone works with my powered D-Link USB2 hub just fine. It even keeps charging if I shut off my computer and runs off the power of the hub.

Why can't you plug other devices into the hub and have a built in port for your iphone if it won't work with your hub? Have you considered moving any of your devices over to firewire to free up some USB ports.

Dec 9, 2007 1:41 PM in response to Randy Fast

Hi Randy,

Thanks for your post.

For sure I have tried. Like most of you, I have to many USB items, and some of them do not work on my hub. My HP OfficeJet G85 printer and my Keyspan adapter (to control house lightning) don't work on the hub. With my keyboard, the 3 USB ports are now filled. I have to swap the printer and my iPhone when needed. My only choice is to plug/unplug the device I require less.

Regards.

iPhone and USB hub ....

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