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Google wants Android 15's desktop mode to be more like Samsung's DeX
Previous Android desktop modes were limited and not user-friendly
Google has been hard at work preparing Android 15, which comes on the heels of the Android 14 launch at the end of 2023. While the next OS is not expected to be released for months, there are some hints as to what it may include when it goes live. For example, developer previews have included support for satellite connectivity and screen recording detection. Now, a new beta update suggests that Android 15’s desktop mode could have more functionality this time around.
Premium Android tablets will soon default to desktop mode in Chrome
Google suggests more powerful Android tablets are best used in desktop mode
When you’re using a tablet, you likely assume that you need to use the mobile version of apps, websites, and other content for a smooth experience. In many instances, tablets don’t have the hardware equipped to handle the demands of desktop mode and other software. Now, Google seems to believe that “premium” Android tablets will be more than up to the task.
Chrome might automatically use desktop mode on Android tablets soon
Android-powered slates with large enough displays won't have to manually tap the 'Desktop Site' button
There aren't many big, high-powered Android tablets coming out these days. But if you're one of the happy few who have one, you could soon see the Chrome browser default to the "Desktop site" version of web browsing. That's the little button in the menu that allows you to force the page to render as if it were on a laptop or desktop PC.
Motorola, feeling nostalgic for past failures, is making a new desktop mode for its phones that no one will use
But this time there's also an app!
Many companies have attempted to bridge the gap between desktop and mobile, and now it looks like Motorola is taking another shot at it. In a new video released for Qualcomm's Snapdragon Summit event, Motorola president Sergio Bunac gave a teaser for what users can expect an upcoming desktop mode to look like — as well as a few more fun tricks Motorola has up its sleeves.
Samsung and LG could release portable monitors that hook up to your smartphone
Both companies are reportedly working on competing products while assessing demand
Modern flagship phones have grown more powerful than one could’ve imagined a few years ago. Their ascent has fueled the development of features like Samsung DeX, which tweaks the phone’s UI to imitate a classic desktop and open windowed apps. These modes have so far been restricted to stationary desk setups as they require a monitor along with a keyboard and mouse to function. The two big South Korean brands—Samsung and LG—apparently want you to take the experience wherever you go thanks to portable monitors they're currently working on.
LG’s 2019 flagship lineup recently began receiving their Android 10 builds packed with goodies like full gesture navigation and the December 2019 security patch. One feature that remained obscure without even a mention in the changelog was the built-in desktop mode, discovered by Juan Carlos Bagnell (SomeGadgetGuy). The implementation appears to be a close sibling of Samsung’s DeX, minus the fancy branding.
There sure are a lot of gadgets around. Consumers today own laptops, desktops, tablets, televisions, e-readers, smartphones, smartwatches, smart speakers, smart displays, smart TVs, and smart everything-elses in myriad combinations. If you’re economically fortunate enough, you might own at least one of each of these categories of products, and for some categories, probably more than one.
Android has always been open to desktop modes, but so far, this has only come to fruition in the form of manufacturer customizations like Samsung DeX, custom ROMs such as Remix Singularity, and other individual solutions. In Q Beta, the OS is finally adding standardized, native support for this option. Developer Daniel Blandford took the opportunity and has built the first desktop launcher that takes advantage of this.
Several manufacturers have looked at solutions to turn phones into full-featured workstations, the most recent one being Samsung with DeX. Sadly, most of these required a costly dock to connect to external monitors, keyboards and mice, which led to limited usage. Since the release of the Note 9, Samsung got rid of the need to use a cradle and let users directly connect the handset to a display using the built-in USB-C port, which made it easier to use the device as an actual computer. However, since the solution is specific to Samsung, apps have to be optimized specifically for DeX to work best when used in desktop mode, or would otherwise just be regular windowed Android apps. It appears Google is finally looking at harmonizing desktop mode with Android Q, thanks to native support for it.
Jide's Remix OS is all about offering Android apps with a desktop interface, with a bonus of relatively cheap mobile hardware. And while the company has been expanding its reach into more retail products, the latest project it's showing off is probably its most ambitious yet. The "Singularity" system allows users to plug their phone into a monitor, connect a mouse and keyboard, and run the familiar Remix desktop interface while the phone is still operating in its standard Android mode.