Detection, selection and provision of external antennas for a mobile device

One or more computer-readable nonvolatile memory having instructions thereon for executing a method of providing an antenna for use by a mobile device, the method comprising:

• at an accessory device releasably attached to the mobile device, receiving a query from the mobile device inquiring whether the accessory device supports at least one external antenna;
• and
• sending an indication that the accessory device supports at least one external antenna;
• wherein the accessory device comprises one or more accessory device pins, the indication indicating which of the one or more accessory device pins are operatively coupled to the at least one external antenna.

An accessory device for providing an antenna configuration for use by a mobile device, the accessory device comprising:

• a connector including one or more pins for electrical coupling to the mobile device;
• one or more antennas supported by the accessory device;
• and
• a controller for communicating with the mobile device that the accessory device supports the one or more antennas in response to a query from the mobile device and which of the one or more pins on the connector are operatively coupled to the one or more antennas supported by the accessory device.