Last night, South Korean electronics company Samsung launched its latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S8. One of the accessories announced with it, is a cradle-like device that connects the S8 to a screen, keyboard and mouse so it can be used as a desktop.
The DeX Station provides an Android-based desktop-like experience that lets users access apps, edit documents and browse the Web. The smartphone acts as the 'brain' of the computer.
To start working, users insert their Samsung smartphone into the DeX Station, which connects the smartphone to an HDMI-compatible monitor, and then connect to any Bluetooth-enabled, USB or RF-type keyboard and mouse.
Samsung says DeX was designed to improve productivity for mobile professionals, while reducing the need to carry multiple computing devices.
Other companies previously attempted to create similar solutions.
"While many people use their smartphones for business, they usually turn to a laptop or desktop when they need to use Windows or browser-based apps," says Maribel Lopez, founder and principal analyst, Lopez Research.
"Even though VDI or app virtualisation lets them run Windows applications on their smartphone, the Windows experience does not always translate well to a small touch-screen. To address this issue, vendors have worked to develop solutions that make it easier to connect smartphones to a keyboard, mouse and monitor. The solution that succeeds has significant market potential."
The DeX Station is compatible with the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, and includes two USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet, USB type-C power-in and a cooling fan. It also charges the docked smartphone.
The Android user interface has been redesigned to fit desktop screens, and includes multiple revisable windows, contextual menus and a desktop version Web browser.
The company collaborated with Microsoft and Adobe to create compatible apps, and says it hopes to have more partners on board soon.
The apps allow for desktop-like functionality and a user interface previously unavailable from a smartphone.
Samsung DeX also allows users to remotely access virtual desktops through partner solutions, including Citrix, VMware and Amazon Web Services.
The DeX Station will be available globally with the Galaxy S8 and may be offered as a packaged bundle, depending on region.
Share