Google is building its own DeX: First look at Android's Desktop Mode

Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR Google is developing its own DeX-like desktop mode for Android, and we got an early look at the unfinished feature on a Pixel phone. Android’s upcoming desktop mode includes a taskbar for pinned/recent apps and supports launching multiple apps in freeform, resizable windows. It adapts Android’s tablet windowing for external displays but likely won’t launch with Android 16, possibly arriving in a quarterly release or with Android 17. One of the best features of Samsung Galaxy phones is Samsung DeX, a software feature that emulates a desktop UI. When you connect your Samsung phone to an external display, DeX presents a desktop-like interface allowing you to launch multiple apps in floating windows and control everything with a keyboard and mouse. While DeX remains exclusive to Samsung devices, Google is finally working on its own version. We now have a first look at what Android’s upcoming desktop mode will look like on Pixel phones. You’re r ... Read full article.