Samsung's Galaxy Note 9 has a much more useful DeX desktop mode

Samsung has been trying to turn its smartphones into pseudo-desktops with DeX since the Galaxy S8, a notably rocky start. With the Galaxy S9, DeX worked mostly the same, but relied on a new dock that turned the phone into a trackpad. But as they say, the third time's the charm. Samsung has simplified the entire DeX experience on the Galaxy Note 9, and that ultimately makes it a lot more useful.

For one, you no longer have to dock your phone into a separate device. DeX mode will simply turn on when you connect an HDMI to USB-C adapter to the Note 9 and any monitor. This time around, Samsung is aiming for a second screen experience with DeX, instead of trying to mimic a desktop. The Note 9 still functions normally in this mode, and you can launch an app to use it as a trackpad and virtual keyboard with the monitor. The idea is that you can use the extra screen to play a video or presentation while using the phone as you usually would.

Honestly, that alone seems more functional than the past DeX attempts. Last year, I questioned why anyone would want a phone that acts as a desktop. Unless you have a keyboard and monitor set up somewhere for regular usage, it just doesn't make much sense. (And even then, you're better off getting a cheap standalone PC.) But if DeX is just a second screen experience that requires carrying around a small HDMI adapter, all of a sudden it becomes your best travel companion. You can use it to power streaming video while you're sitting in a hotel, or stuck in a remote office without a functional PC.

Technically, the Galaxy Note 9's DeX mode should work with any USB-C to HDMI adapter, but of course Samsung is pushing its own gear as the best method.

Follow all the latest news from Galaxy Unpacked 2018 here!



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