Latest news with #SamsungDeX
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business Standard
Google previews Samsung DeX-like desktop mode for Android at I/O: Details
Google is working on a new desktop mode for Android devices; the new feature was teased during the Google I/O developer conference 2025. This feature will allow compatible smartphones to deliver a PC-like experience when connected to external displays, similar to Samsung's DeX. Florina Muntenescu, an engineering manager at Google, shared that Google is building on Samsung's DeX platform to create better multitasking tools in Android 16. A demo during the Google I/O event showed a new layout that appears a lot like Samsung DeX. Apps such as Gmail, Chrome, YouTube, and Google Photos appeared in a taskbar at the bottom of the screen. The time was displayed at the top-left corner, while the Wi-Fi and battery icons were on the top-right. Google's new desktop mode will be part of Android 16. One of the key features is adaptive apps. These apps can resize and move around the screen just like on a computer. That means users will be able to drag, drop, and arrange apps any way they like. Google said that they are making API changes to Android 16 that would no longer react to orientation, resizability and aspect ratio restriction, giving users a more responsive user interface by default. Google also posted more information on its blog, saying that Android 16 will focus on making apps work better across many different devices. This includes not just phones, but also tablets, foldables, Chromebooks, cars, and even mixed reality wearables. With this update, Google is showing that Android is growing beyond phones. Google's desktop mode feature is expected to be rolled out with Android 16 later this year. What is Samsung DeX? DeX, which stands for "Desktop eXperience," allows Galaxy smartphone users to mirror their phone's screen on a Windows PC. Launched in 2017, Samsung DeX also offers a desktop-like interface when the smartphone is connected to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Android 16 desktop mode — Google's best-kept secret got a quiet reveal at I/O
During all the excitement of Google's annual I/O 2025, you may have missed the more technical developer keynote where Google revealed that it's been working on a desktop mode for Android 16. You can watch the part of the live stream here where it's revealed. Engineering manager Florina Muntenescu confirmed that the company is working with Samsung since the new mode is "building on the foundation" of the DeX platform, available on Samsung's Galaxy phones. "We've been collaborating with Samsung, building on the foundation of Samsung DeX, to bring enhanced desktop windowing capabilities in Android 16 for more powerful productivity workflows," the company said. We've said that Pixel 9 Pro phones already have a hidden desktop mode that is one of Google's best kept secrets that needs to be on all Android devices. This quiet tease makes it more of a reality. We've been collaborating with Samsung, building on the foundation of Samsung DeX After the keynote, Google posted a blog about adaptive Android apps where the company said, "an app's ability to seamlessly adapt to different screen sizes is becoming increasingly crucial." We've known for while that Google is working a version of DeX as previously leaked Android 16 code revealed a desktop mode that was turned off by default. At the same time, a version of Samsung DeX was discovered in One UI 8 test builds that appeared to take advantage of the Android 16 Material 3 Express redesign. Of course, last April there were reports that Android 15 builds had a work-in-progress desktop mode but that feature never released and Google didn't talk publicly about desktop mode like it did at I/O this year. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Currently, desktop mode is still turned off in Android 16 beta builds, and it's not clear when the Google and Samsung collaboration will actually release. Nonetheless, this would be one step closer in giving people more access to this helpful tool.
Engadget
4 days ago
- Engadget
Android 16 includes a desktop interface Google built from Samsung DeX
Devices running Android 16 will pick up a new trick when the software update rolls out later this year: The ability to run a desktop-style interface while connected to an external display. An early version of the idea was spotted for phones in betas of Android 16, but as 9to5Google noticed, Google made the feature official during its developer keynote. According to the presentation, the new windowing and external display feature was created in collaboration with Samsung, "building on the foundation of Samsung DeX, to bring enhanced desktop windowing capabilities in Android 16." Prior to this official support, Samsung DeX was a custom feature Samsung built into One UI that allowed certain Samsung phones and tablets to display a desktop-style interface while connected to a display. Google's implementation seems to be aiming for the same thing, with resizable windows and a dock for your most used apps. The company also appears open to the feature working on tablets and phones, too. In a blog post touting the advantages of developing adaptive apps, Google says that Android 16 offers "a true desktop-like experience on large screens and when devices are connected to external displays." While Google's language leaves things open-ended, support for this desktop experience could still hinge on phone makers enabling it and app developers making sure their apps play nice with resizable windows. A developer beta of Android 16 is available to download on select phones and tablets right now. Assuming desktop windowing and support for external displays isn't dropping in a later update, you'll be able to try the new features for yourself when Android 16 launches in June.
The Verge
5 days ago
- The Verge
Google teases an Android desktop mode, made with Samsung's help
Google is working with Samsung to bring a desktop mode to Android. During Google I/O's developer keynote, engineering manager Florina Muntenescu said the company is 'building on the foundation' of Samsung's DeX platform 'to bring enhanced windowing capabilities in Android 16,' as spotted earlier by 9to5Google. Samsung first launched DeX in 2017, a feature that automatically adjusts your phone's interface and apps when connected to a larger display, allowing you to use your phone like a desktop device. A demo during the presentation revealed a Samsung DeX-like layout, with apps like Gmail, Chrome, YouTube, and Google Photos centered in the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. It also showed how Android 16's adaptive apps can move and stretch across the screen. The time sits at the top-left corner of the screen, with the Wi-Fi signal and battery on the right. In March, Android Authority 's Mishaal Rahman reported on Google's plans to create a desktop mode of its own, and later enabled an early version of the feature on a Pixel shared more details in a blog post about the update, saying Android 16's emphasis on adaptiveness will also help apps work on more kinds of devices, like foldables, tablets, Chromebooks, mixed reality wearables, and even cars.
Tom's Guide
6 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Google's best-kept secret needs to be a standard Android 16 feature — and it could be game changing
Google I/O 2025 is just a few hours away, and while I'm excited to hear what else is coming to Android 16, there's one thing I want more than anything else for Google to formally announce. It's this hidden desktop mode that lets me connect my Pixel 9 Pro XL to an external monitor and use it much like my desktop PC. I only stumbled upon it after using Samsung DeX on my Galaxy S24 Ultra last year, trying to find a similar feature with my Pixel. After some research, I figured out how to access this desktop mode — which isn't a forward facing feature because it requires going through some settings in order to activate it. Even though the Android Show: I/O Edition gave us a peak and what we'll see with Android 16, I really hope that Google makes this desktop mode official and standard with Android 16. Here's why. If there's one thing I enjoy most about using Samsung DeX, it has to be that it's the closest thing right now to a laptop replacement — but Google could essentially do this for all phones. The Pixel 9 Pro/9 Pro XL's desktop mode works similar to Samsung DeX by presenting me with an interface that's very similar to my Windows 11 laptop. The beauty about this desktop mode is that I can be a lot more productive, due in part to how it can better handle multiple apps simultaneously. There's just no comparison trying to run two apps simultaneously on a phone versus on a computer connected to a monitor. Even simple tasks, like copying and pasting from one app to another, is much easier using this desktop mode. But the problem with this current iteration of desktop mode with the Pixel 9 Pro is that it's buggy, which probably explains why it's a hidden feature that Google doesn't advertise. That's why I'm excited for what else Google has in store for its keynote. There was a report last year suggesting that Google's working on releasing this desktop mode — and now it seems like a lock in after a video showed it running with the latest Android 16 beta. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Another thing I've learned from using Samsung DeX is that I technically don't need to be locked down to a workstation in order to use it. If this Android desktop mode becomes a native Android 16 feature, it would make a stronger case for people to adopt smart glasses. Since Samsung DeX and the current hidden desktop mode with the Pixel 9 Pro lean on a phone's video out through USB-C support, you could connect a pair of smart or AR glasses to effectively act as the monitor. I've tried this out already using the Xreal Air 2 Pro, which is an excellent setup for when I'm in public or confined spaces. Motorola's Smart Connect feature in some of its phones, like the new Razr Ultra 2025, already allows supported phones to work with a Meta Quest 3 headset to deliver its own desktop-like experience in the virtual space. Why have a bulky workstation setup when you can put on a VR headset (or smart glasses) and get the same experience, but without the clutter? This workflow is something I've been dreaming about for years now, ever since the first set of VR headsets came to market. Before I can give up my laptop completely and rely on my phone, there are still a lot of challenges that could prevent me (and others) from fully committing to this new mode. If Google does end up making this a native Android 16 feature, it would still hinge on whether or not a phone has proper USB-C video out support — and if it doesn't, the the phone would probably follow a path similar to Motorola's Smart Connect feature that uses a wireless connection. That approach is not as convenient in my opinion, but that's one way for Google to bring desktop mode to more phones. Secondly, Google would need to somehow allow users to switch between multiple Google accounts — allowing you to easily go from a personal account to a work one. Google Chrome for Windows 11 obviously lets me switch to multiple profiles, but Chrome for Android does not. I don't anticipate an Android 16 desktop mode to rival what I have now with my laptop, but just offering it is a good first step. By now, it's long overdue and it could be a secret weapon Google could use to lure people away from the iPhone.
