Google Developing DeX-Style Desktop Mode for Android Phones

Samsung has long provided an ability for your phone (or tablet) to run a desktop operating system when it is plugged into an external display. Google is currently developing an Desktop Mode for Android that is similar to DeX.

DisplayPort mirroring on the Pixel 8 and later was introduced by Google with Android 14 QPR3. Mirroring your phone’s screen onto a compatible display or projecting multimedia, such as Google Slides, is possible. In the developer preview of Android 15 QPR1, Google added desktop windowing for the Pixel Tablet.

“Desktop windowing on secondary displays” now combines those two experiences. With the most recent Android 16 beta, Android Authority has now enabled this developer option. When paired with a laptop, a Pixel 8 Pro displays the Android Taskbar, which includes recent and pinned apps, launcher access, and three-button navigation on the right.

The time and other status bar icons are visible at the top. Similar to modern tablets and foldables, you can access dual-column Quick Settings and notifications by dragging down. With actual keyboard and trackpad capabilities, apps launch in windows that you can resize, move, and arrange side by side. When desktop windowing is enabled, you can keep using the phone.

When any of these will deploy is unknown. How this fits into Google’s larger desktop computing strategy is the more important question. While Google is obviously giving Android desktop characteristics that could lead to genuine laptops (or convertibles) running a desktop version of Android, efforts are underway to make ChromeOS use more Android under.

Allowing phones to run a DeX-like experience is practically an afterthought if efforts are already underway to provide a desktop Android experience. These mobile devices are obviously capable of running anything. It’s obvious that some individuals like and desire DeX, but Google’s approach appears unclear. Perhaps people are more accustomed to the idea of purchasing a laptop specifically for their desktop computer need. Allowing them to utilize their phone as a desktop necessitates the usage of an extra keyboard and mouse or an existing laptop whose native operating system is insufficient for their purposes, for whatever reason.

I’m wondering as to whether Google is primarily adding desktop mode compatibility in Android to assist Samsung.

In the meantime, if someone truly thinks that a laptop will be powered by a phone in the future, they ought to construct a laptop shell that has the standard components (screen, keyboard, trackpad, battery, and ports) except for the SoC. In order for the phone and display to work together easily, We would also contend that the connection should be wireless.