Samsung debuted DeX last year to make your phone behave a bit more like a computer when plugged into a monitor. This year, DeX functionality has improved so you don't need to expensive custom dock, just a video cable. At Samsung's developer conference last week, it announced DeX would also get full Linux support. It's only officially available to those in the beta program, but we've got the APK.
Read MoreSamsung is working on a wireless DeX connection for upcoming devices
It may not be perfect quite yet, but Samsung's DeX implementation for using your phone as a desktop computer actually works better than expected. In response to user requests, it seems the development team behind DeX is now working towards making DeX connections even more accessible by removing the need for a cable.
Read MoreGalaxy Note9 and Tab S4 to allegedly offer DeX functionality without the need for a dock
Samsung first introduced its DeX line of docks alongside the Galaxy S8, angling it as a simpler way of getting work done while on the go without having to lug a laptop or desktop around. However, multiple independent sources have confirmed that the upcoming Note9 and Tab S4 will be able to use the DeX desktop experience without the need for a DeX dock.
Read More[Deal Alert] Samsung DeX Pad is just $49.99 ($50 off) on Amazon
Samsung DeX is a feature on the S8/S8+, Note8, and S9+/S9+ that allows you to dock your phone and use it as a basic desktop computer. An updated DeX Pad launched alongside the Galaxy S9 and S9+, and it has already gone on sale once. Now it's down to half its original price - just $49.99.
Read More[Deal Alert] Samsung's new DeX Pad is down to $80 ($20 off) on Amazon
The Galaxy S9 and S9+ debuted with the DeX Pad, a revised version of last year's DeX Station with a different form factor. If its $99.99 MSRP was a little too dear for you, perhaps the $20 discount that Amazon is currently offering will help change your mind.
Read MoreSamsung's DeX Pad launches on May 13th for $99.99
Samsung DeX allows your phone to project a desktop-like UI onto a larger screen, but the first generation Station that debuted last year had a rather clunky dock. There's a new version of the DeX hardware that's lighter, and you can get the "DeX Pad" free when you purchase a Galaxy S9 right now.
Read More[Deal Alert] Samsung DeX Station down to $79.99 ($70 off) from Samsung, $82.90 from Amazon
Samsung's DeX Station is about a year old at this point. Initially launched alongside the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ at a princely sum of $149.99, the fancy dock has now dropped to nearly half that amount - $79.99, to be precise, from Samsung.com. And if you'd prefer to purchase from Amazon, it's there for less than $3 more.
Read More[Update: Demo video] ‘Linux on Galaxy’ will bring the desktop OS to Samsung phones and DeX
The idea of using a smartphone as a full desktop PC when connected to an external monitor isn't new. The now-dead Ubuntu for phones and tablets had 'Convergence' as one of its main features, allowing you to run full desktop Linux apps when you connected a keyboard and mouse (and display, if your device supported that).
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
Samsung's new DeX Pad is official, and it lets you use your Galaxy S9/S9+ as both a keyboard and a trackpad
Samsung introduced the DeX system last year alongside the Galaxy S8 and S8+ with the DeX Station, a dock that looked like one of the company's wireless chargers. After a not-insignificant amount of leaking, the DeX Pad has been made official at Samsung's MWC event, and it improves upon the DeX Station by also removing the necessity for a keyboard and a trackpad.
Read MoreVLC 3.0 exits beta, adds Chromecast support, faster seeking, and more
Last month, possibly the most-anticipated feature for VLC finally made it into the Android version - support for Chromecast. Now the feature has reached the stable branch, with the release of VLC 3.0. It's the first major version bump since 2012, and includes plenty of new features and bug fixes.
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