Turns out Samsung had more to do with this Android 16 long-awaited feature than we thought
During a developer session at Google I/O 2025, the company explained that it's been working closely with Samsung to bring better desktop features to Android. This includes improved window management and multitasking tools designed for larger screens. Google said it's building on the foundation of DeX to support more flexible and powerful productivity workflows.
— Florina Muntenescu, Developer Relations Manager, Google This adds a new perspective to what we've seen so far. Leaked Android 16 builds already showed signs of a desktop-like experience, with updates like resizable windows and better multi-window support. Now we know that much of that work was done in partnership with Samsung, rather than in competition with it.In another I/O developer session, the presenter highlighted the growing need for Android apps to adapt smoothly to different screen sizes. With foldables, tablets, and even phones being used more often for work and multitasking, desktop-style features are becoming more relevant. The new desktop mode is part of a bigger push to make Android more flexible across form factors.
Moments on the Google I/O stage where Android 16 desktop mode was brought up. | Images credit — Google Meanwhile, Samsung also appears to be preparing for these changes. Early versions of One UI 8 show a refreshed DeX interface, possibly redesigned to take advantage of the new Android 16 improvements. This suggests that both companies are working in sync to create a more unified experience across devices.
At the moment, the desktop mode in Android 16 is not enabled by default in the beta release. Google hasn't said when it will be officially available, but it's clear that development is moving forward.
In the end, this isn't about killing off DeX. Instead, Android 16 seems to be giving it a stronger base to grow from. For users who want more out of their Android devices, especially when connecting to bigger screens, this update could make a noticeable difference. It's still early, but this collaboration between Google and Samsung may shape the future of Android productivity.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Phone Arena
30 minutes ago
- Phone Arena
Instagram brings reposts to main feed in bid to boost sharing
Instagram has officially launched its long-awaited repost feature, letting users share public Reels and feed posts directly to their followers' feeds. The move, which has been in testing for over a year, aims to make it easier to connect with friends by sharing content users already enjoy, rather than creating something new every time. Reposted content will appear in a dedicated tab on the user's profile, along with their original posts. Reposts are also distributed to friends' and followers' main feeds, giving greater visibility to the original creators. The feature could offer small and emerging creators a chance to reach more people. If someone reposts their Reel or post, it might be recommended to a whole new set of followers—even those who don't follow the original account. How Reposts will appear on your profile and the main feed. | Image credit — Meta" Users can add a short message to the repost using a thought bubble interface, offering a quick way to comment or react. To repost, you simply tap the repost icon on a Reel or feed post, type an optional note, and hit save. While reposting content is common on other platforms like X (formerly Twitter) or TikTok, Instagram had long resisted adding this functionality outside of Stories. With this shift, Meta is signaling that it wants Instagram to feel more like a two-way street for engagement, not just a place to broadcast personal content. Beyond reposts, Instagram is also adding two other features meant to promote connection. The first is a location-sharing Map that lets users opt in to sharing their recent activity with selected friends. The second is a new Friends tab inside Reels, which highlights content your friends are engaging with. Both are rolling out now, with the Map limited to US users initially. It's worth noting that TikTok has long supported similar community-centric discovery tools, including reposts and location-based content. With these updates, Instagram is playing a bit of catch-up, though it's doing so with more user controls and clearer privacy options. As for whether reposts will change how people use Instagram, it depends on user behavior. Giving people another way to interact with content might help liven up the feed, but it could also lead to more noise if not used thoughtfully. Still, for those tired of algorithmic randomness, seeing what friends find worth resharing could feel refreshingly human.
GSM Arena
43 minutes ago
- GSM Arena
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE's launch date leaks
Vlad, 06 August 2025 Samsung has already confirmed that it's launching the Galaxy S25 FE earlier in the year than its predecessor (which was unveiled on September 26). You may have been wondering exactly when to expect the S25 FE to make its debut, and a new report from Samsung's home of Korea claims to have the answer. It will allegedly be introduced on September 19. That's exactly one week earlier than the S24 FE, so it does count - then again, you may have been hoping for "earlier" to mean this month or in early September. The S24 FE actually became available on October 3, so if the September 19 date is when its successor will be released, that's a bit earlier still - due to machine translation it's not very clear if the Korean report is talking about the announcement or the actual availability date. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Over in Korea, the S25 FE is expected to cost less than KRW 1 million, which at the current exchange rates means approximately $721 or €620. How that will translate into pricing for other regions remains to be seen - it's never as simple as a straightforward currency exchange as you may know. The report also claims the S25 FE's price will either be identical to its predecessor's, or only slightly increase. The Galaxy S25 FE is rumored to be powered by Samsung's Exynos 2400 SoC, a tiny improvement compared to the Exynos 2400e in the S24 FE. It should boast a 6.7-inch 1080x2340 AMOLED screen with 120 Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass Victus on top, a 50 MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture and OIS, a 12 MP f/2.2 ultrawide, an 8 MP f/2.4 telephoto with 3x optical zoom and OIS, a 12 MP selfie snapper, and a 4,500 mAh battery with support for 45W wired and 15W wireless charging. The phone allegedly measures 161.3 x 76.6 x 7.4 mm and weighs 190g. It's IP68 rated for dust and water resistance and should launch with One UI 8 atop Android 16. Compared to its predecessor, it's slightly shorter, narrower, thinner, and lighter, but at the expense of a battery that's smaller by 200 mAh (though it charges faster). Aside from the new SoC used, the main upgrade is in the selfie camera. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE 128GB 8GB RAM $ 549.99 $ 549.99 256GB 8GB RAM $ 414.95 Source (in Korean)
GSM Arena
an hour ago
- GSM Arena
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE's launch date leaks
Samsung has already confirmed that it's launching the Galaxy S25 FE earlier in the year than its predecessor (which was unveiled on September 26). You may have been wondering exactly when to expect the S25 FE to make its debut, and a new report from Samsung's home of Korea claims to have the answer. It will allegedly be introduced on September 19. That's exactly one week earlier than the S24 FE, so it does count - then again, you may have been hoping for "earlier" to mean this month or in early September. The S24 FE actually became available on October 3, so if the September 19 date is when its successor will be released, that's a bit earlier still - due to machine translation it's not very clear if the Korean report is talking about the announcement or the actual availability date. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Over in Korea, the S25 FE is expected to cost less than KRW 1 million, which at the current exchange rates means approximately $721 or €620. How that will translate into pricing for other regions remains to be seen - it's never as simple as a straightforward currency exchange as you may know. The report also claims the S25 FE's price will either be identical to its predecessor's, or only slightly increase. The Galaxy S25 FE is rumored to be powered by Samsung's Exynos 2400 SoC, a tiny improvement compared to the Exynos 2400e in the S24 FE. It should boast a 6.7-inch 1080x2340 AMOLED screen with 120 Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass Victus on top, a 50 MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture and OIS, a 12 MP f/2.2 ultrawide, an 8 MP f/2.4 telephoto with 3x optical zoom and OIS, a 12 MP selfie snapper, and a 4,500 mAh battery with support for 45W wired and 15W wireless charging. The phone allegedly measures 161.3 x 76.6 x 7.4 mm and weighs 190g. It's IP68 rated for dust and water resistance and should launch with One UI 8 atop Android 16. Compared to its predecessor, it's slightly shorter, narrower, thinner, and lighter, but at the expense of a battery that's smaller by 200 mAh (though it charges faster). Aside from the new SoC used, the main upgrade is in the selfie camera. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Source (in Korean)
