There is still a long way to go before Samsung’s DeX is challenged in Google’s ambitious journey to transform its Android phones and tablets into virtual desktops.
However, Google has updated Android’s default desktop mode with new windowing options while testing for Android 15 goes on.
The features were discovered by Android Authority when experimenting with the most recent beta.
According to the website, Android’s desktop mode was rather basic when it was first introduced (around 2019) and could only be used when a smartphone was connected to an external display.
Although you could open apps in freeform windows, you were limited in your ability to perform many common tasks, such as minimizing or snapping windows to the taskbar. Nevertheless, it turned out that it can now run straight on tablets while fiddling with the most recent iteration of the functionality that is still in development.
Window captions, window resizing, hover options, and the ability to snap windows have all been added to the Android 15 beta.
In 2017, Samsung introduced the Desktop Experience, or DeX. Earlier versions required docks, wires, and/or other equipment; however, in 2020, it became wireless. It was stated earlier this year by Samsung that the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra could wirelessly cast DeX to a TV that was compatible.
2018 saw the optimization of the multi-window feature in Android 9 (also known as Pie), which lets you split the screen to run two apps at once.
“One key difference between the current state of Android desktop mode and Samsung DeX is that the Android version creates a completely separate desktop environment, while DeX merges the tablet Home Screen with desktop-like features,” noted Digital Trends.