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Video: Samsung brings DeX to tablets with the Galaxy Tab S4
Samsung DeX launched with the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, so those devices are fully supported. In addition, the Galaxy S8 Active, Note 8, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9 Plus, and new Galaxy Note 9 all work with the Samsung DeX platform. Additional functionality was added with the Android Oreo update, so make sure your phone is updated to this version of Android.
Also: Samsung Galaxy Tab S4: A cheat sheet TechRepublic
Samsung recently launched the Galaxy Tab S4 and it is the first tablet to support DeX.
Desktop applications
The software side of the DeX platform has advanced significantly over the past 18 months and continues to get better as Samsung develops partnerships with developers and industries develop custom solutions. While you can use every app installed on your phone on the external monitor, the best desktop experience will take place through optimized apps. In addition, your phone continues to function as a phone so you can make calls, send/receive text messages, and more while connected in the DeX configuration.
The first thing you will see when you connect your DeX setup is a full display with a background image, application shortcuts, and a launcher for your apps. Multitasking is fully supported, too, so if you have a large external monitor, you can easily run a number of apps at the same time. The Samsung smartphones have stunning power and capability to enable the use of many apps at once.
Also: The best tablets for 2018: Our top picks TechRepublic
Many apps are optimized for the large screen, and this is where the real power of DeX comes into play. With these optimized apps you can see more content such as your email folders with email preview panes on one display. Email, Samsung Internet Browser, Microsoft Office apps, Microsoft Outlook, AutoCAD Mobile, Adobe Photoshop apps, Google Chrome, GoToMeeting, Gmail, YouTube, Spotify, and more are all optimized for DeX. While not related to the enterprise, there are several games that are also optimized for DeX, so if you need a break from work that is a possibility, too.
While there are optimized apps and phone apps that work in a smaller view, sometimes more computing capability is needed. Thankfully, remote access virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) capability is provided through solutions such as Citrix Receiver, VMware Horizon Client, and Amazon WorkSpaces. With one of these solutions active, you can see a full window into your Windows computer back at the office and work without any limits.
Keyboard shortcuts, drag-and-drop, and right-click functionality is also supported when in DeX mode. These action mirror typical desktop experiences and will soon have you forgetting that your phone is powering the entire experience.
Accessories
In addition to one of the DeX docking solutions, to enjoy a full desktop experience you should have a Bluetooth mouse and Bluetooth keyboard connected to your Samsung phone. Connect and set up each of these devices in your phone’s Bluetooth settings before you connect to the DeX dock. You can also use USB peripherals connected through one of the DeX docking solutions.
If no mouse is connected, you can use your Samsung phone display as a trackpad when connected using the DeX Pad. When a keyboard is not connected, your display can also turn into a virtual software keyboard when text fields are selected. This is clearly a compromised experience, but works when traveling light without a keyboard available.
With USB ports in the DeX docking stations, just about anything with a USB cable will work on DeX. This includes speakers, a webcam, high performance microphone, external hard drives, and more. Some peripherals may require related apps.
DeX alternative
While Samsung is currently leading the way with its DeX computing solution, others are starting to look at making the smartphone the primary computing device for everyone. Huawei recently launched its Desktop Mode in its newest phones. When an HDMI cable is connected to an external display (no extra hardware needed), a desktop environment is projected from the phone to the monitor.
Also: Smartphone PC modes: Huawei Mate 10 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Note 8
There are a very limited number of apps that currently support Desktop Mode, and many apps installed on the Huawei phone do not even show up on the external display when in Desktop Mode. Huawei has a lot of work to do to make this solution satisfactory for the enterprise and at the moment it is primarily a novelty for some basic tasks.
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