SUMMARY
– Google officially announced its new desktop mode for Android phones, bringing a PC-like experience to external displays.
– Built with Samsung on the DeX foundation, it offers enhanced desktop windowing and will be testable in an Android 16 quarterly beta.
– This mode enables freeform app windows, independent display operation, and the ability to extend sessions across multiple screens.
Google has confirmed details about its upcoming desktop mode feature for Android phones at the Google I/O developer conference. This feature will allow users to access a desktop-like interface on external displays, complete with a taskbar and freeform windows. According to Google, the desktop mode experience will be available for testing soon in an Android 16 quarterly beta release.
The new desktop mode builds on the desktop windowing foundations developed for tablets in Android 15. It offers an intuitive interface on external displays and adds features to account for the external display setup. Google revealed that Android 16’s new desktop mode is built on the foundation of Samsung DeX.
“We’ve been collaborating with Samsung, building on the foundation of Samsung Dex, to bring enhanced desktop windowing capabilities in Android 16, for more powerful productivity workflows.” – Florina Muntenescu, Developer Relations Manager at Google
“In Android 16, we’ve been adding foundational platform support for connected displays that will be available in AOSP in the coming months in developer preview.” – Alex Vanyo, Developer Relations Engineer at Google
Additionally, Google announced enhancements to how Android handles external displays, including “foundational platform support for connected displays.” These improvements will be available soon for testing as a developer preview in the Android beta program.
Some key details about the desktop mode include:
– Minimum window size: 386 x 352 dp
– Apps can create custom headers
– Desktop sessions can be extended across both internal and external displays on devices like tablets
– Internal and external displays operate independently, with apps specific to each display
– Windows, content, and the mouse cursor can move freely between displays
The desktop windowing features and enhanced external display support are not yet available in the latest Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 release, but may be included in future beta releases.
Discover more from Mobile Tech News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
