7 ms·

This looks like it will help a lot of students and families who are on a budget. If you can just plug your phone into a screen you do not need to buy a separate

This looks like it will help a lot of students and families who are on a budget. If you can just plug your phone into a screen you do not need to buy a separate laptop anymore. The browser extensions are the most important part because that is what makes a computer useful. I am glad to see they are thinking about this.

ashleyn 8mo ago
How will this succeed where the Motorola Atrix failed way back in 2011? https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2011/03/the-motorola-atrix-4g-jack-of-three-trades-master-of-one/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2011/03/the-motorola-atrix-4...
- ortusdux 8mo ago
  How as adoption been for Samsung's DEX?
  - wronglebowski 8mo ago
    I've only used it when I'm in a pinch but it's handy. Blowing up mobile apps to a larger screen and multitasking isn't ideal certainly but I've been able to handle "email job" type activities while out of pocket. That said I've never heard of anyone else who's actually used it.
- bsimpson 8mo ago
  ChromeOS has a bigger influence on the market than a random phone model from CES when Android was still establishing itself.
- wat10000 8mo ago
  Phones were way less powerful 15 years ago and native software was much more important. A modern phone CPU running a browser on a larger screen takes care of a lot of what you need these days.
- duffyjp 8mo ago
  My Moto Edge 2024 has "Ready For" which is basically this still today. I plug in the USB-C cable normally connected to my work MacBook and I instantly get a full desktop experience; mouse, keyboard and sound included. It's how I play Minecraft with my kids when they get the itch. Sometimes if I know I'm only gonna be zoning out on Youtube at night I'll use to to save a few watts too. It can do 1440p at 120hz, all on a really affordable phone. It's nice.
Zak 8mo ago
Android Chrome not having extensions is just a build option toggle. It doesn't have extensions because Google doesn't want it to, not for technical reasons.
- NewsaHackO 8mo ago
  Yea, I very much doubt they would ever put a browser extension on this. It's funny, I feel as though reading some Google dev's response on reddit about why mobile chrome didn't have extensions was my inflection point when I started to realize they were becoming evil.
  - izacus 8mo ago
    There's literally a screenshot of Chrome with extensions in the article you're comenting on. Why are you confidently commenting if you didn't even attempt to read the article?
    - NewsaHackO 8mo ago
      >Android Chrome not having extensions is just a build option toggle. It doesn't have extensions because Google doesn't want it to, not for technical reasons. The leak screenshots are from the dev version of the app. It has not been confirmed to actually have extensions enabled in the prod version, which is what the parent poster was talking about. It would have been prudent to actually read the post I was replying to and the actual article, not just look at pictures.
- yencabulator 8mo ago
  It'd be really weird if extensions got enabled/disabled based on whether the USB cable is plugged into a monitor or not. I expect the eventual production version of this will have extensions if and only if the normal Android Chrome has extensions at that time.
echelon 8mo ago
As Google's domination continues, the US and EU need to force mobile OS vendors to open up platforms for third party app installation without gatekeeping, deep menu toggles, or scare walls. You already need a phone to pay for parking, order at residents, identify yourself with the government, etc. Two companies should not dictate essential life function interaction. The monopoly grip on this is so tight that it's almost impossible to compete.
joe_mamba 8mo ago
>This looks like it will help a lot of students and families who are on a budget. If you can just plug your phone into a screen you do not need to buy a separate laptop anymore. Except that android phones with display output are mostly flagships with flagship prices. But 50 Euros on the used market got me a retired corporate HP/Dell laptop with 1080p screen, intel 8th gen i5 quad core, 8GB RAM and 256GB NVME on which I put Linux. Way better for studying and productivity than my android phone hooked up to the TV. It's a nice feature to have as a backup in case my laptop dies, but I wouldn't daily drive an android phone as a desktop computer for productivity.
- gf000 8mo ago
  A 2-3 generation old pixel on the second hand marker is not expensive at all though. And you easily add a mouse/keyboard just fine to it.
  - jeffbee 8mo ago
    Note that such capabilities were added to the 8 after it launched. When they launched it they did not even mention that it contains displayport alt mode.
  - joe_mamba 8mo ago
    >A 2-3 generation old pixel on the second hand marker is not expensive at all though. Sure but at around 300 bucks is still way over 50 bucks. And even if you get a used Pixel 8, having separate phone and computer adds a priceless layer of redundancy and flexibility. If someone steals my phone, I don't want to also loose my work PC with it.
    - deleted 8mo ago
      [deleted]
    - cogman10 8mo ago
      You are also buying a soon to be unmaintained device which will fall out of security support. That $50 PC can run linux with the latest kernel for the next 20 years (maybe longer).
jerlam 8mo ago
I don't think this leak implies that (all/some) Android phones will get desktop projection. It just means that Android has a desktop OS and is likely replacing ChromeOS as has been rumored for a while.
lifetimerubyist 8mo ago
Yeah and we’ll be forced to do this because nobody can afford computers anymore because of Ram and SSD prices because of companies like Google buying it all up at extortionist prices. We’re going backwards by putting all of our compute back in the warehouse.
bigstrat2003 8mo ago
What makes a computer useful is the form factor (decent size screen, mouse and keyboard instead of touch controls) and having full control of the system. It has nothing to do with browser extensions.
carlosjobim 8mo ago
You can get a monstrously powerful MacBook almost new for under $500. And that includes display, keyboard, touchpad and speakers. And a whole lot more.
neya 8mo ago
This has existed for more than a decade. Even my old Samsung S10+ had this feature. It's called Samsung DeX and it is not some handicapped environment like iPad OS either, you can actually get real work done, especially if you're a software engineer. https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/app/samsung-dex https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/app/samsung-dex
RajT88 8mo ago
What might have been... Windows Phone was on this path ages ago, and looking really good. I eagerly await one of two dreams (or both): 1. A phone which can seamlessly function as a desktop for my work. 2. A new clamshell Android phone ala Nokia e90, which is good enough for work stuff on the go.
mrighele 8mo ago
So you need to buy a phone, a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse. And you need a desk where to put the stuff, which is not a given if you are part of a poor family with several kids. A cheap android phone and a cheap chinese laptop with 16GB of ram is about 300 EUR where I live, and you can use it wherever you want.
hulitu 8mo ago
> This looks like it will help a lot of students and families who are on a budget. Playing gameas or what ? Working with files on Android is a PITA.
butlike 8mo ago
> The browser extensions are the most important part because that is what makes a computer useful. What year were you born? I ask not to lambast but because given infinite time, I doubt I would come to the same conclusion. To me (a 37-year old) that statement sounds like someone who grew up with Chromebooks in school

ashleyn 8mo ago

How will this succeed where the Motorola Atrix failed way back in 2011? https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2011/03/the-motorola-atrix-4g-jack-of-three-trades-master-of-one/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2011/03/the-motorola-atrix-4...

ortusdux 8mo ago
How as adoption been for Samsung's DEX?
- wronglebowski 8mo ago
  I've only used it when I'm in a pinch but it's handy. Blowing up mobile apps to a larger screen and multitasking isn't ideal certainly but I've been able to handle "email job" type activities while out of pocket. That said I've never heard of anyone else who's actually used it.
bsimpson 8mo ago
ChromeOS has a bigger influence on the market than a random phone model from CES when Android was still establishing itself.
wat10000 8mo ago
Phones were way less powerful 15 years ago and native software was much more important. A modern phone CPU running a browser on a larger screen takes care of a lot of what you need these days.
duffyjp 8mo ago
My Moto Edge 2024 has "Ready For" which is basically this still today. I plug in the USB-C cable normally connected to my work MacBook and I instantly get a full desktop experience; mouse, keyboard and sound included. It's how I play Minecraft with my kids when they get the itch. Sometimes if I know I'm only gonna be zoning out on Youtube at night I'll use to to save a few watts too. It can do 1440p at 120hz, all on a really affordable phone. It's nice.

Zak 8mo ago

Android Chrome not having extensions is just a build option toggle. It doesn't have extensions because Google doesn't want it to, not for technical reasons.

NewsaHackO 8mo ago
Yea, I very much doubt they would ever put a browser extension on this. It's funny, I feel as though reading some Google dev's response on reddit about why mobile chrome didn't have extensions was my inflection point when I started to realize they were becoming evil.
- izacus 8mo ago
  There's literally a screenshot of Chrome with extensions in the article you're comenting on. Why are you confidently commenting if you didn't even attempt to read the article?
  - NewsaHackO 8mo ago
    >Android Chrome not having extensions is just a build option toggle. It doesn't have extensions because Google doesn't want it to, not for technical reasons. The leak screenshots are from the dev version of the app. It has not been confirmed to actually have extensions enabled in the prod version, which is what the parent poster was talking about. It would have been prudent to actually read the post I was replying to and the actual article, not just look at pictures.
yencabulator 8mo ago
It'd be really weird if extensions got enabled/disabled based on whether the USB cable is plugged into a monitor or not. I expect the eventual production version of this will have extensions if and only if the normal Android Chrome has extensions at that time.

echelon 8mo ago

As Google's domination continues, the US and EU need to force mobile OS vendors to open up platforms for third party app installation without gatekeeping, deep menu toggles, or scare walls. You already need a phone to pay for parking, order at residents, identify yourself with the government, etc. Two companies should not dictate essential life function interaction. The monopoly grip on this is so tight that it's almost impossible to compete.

joe_mamba 8mo ago

>This looks like it will help a lot of students and families who are on a budget. If you can just plug your phone into a screen you do not need to buy a separate laptop anymore. Except that android phones with display output are mostly flagships with flagship prices. But 50 Euros on the used market got me a retired corporate HP/Dell laptop with 1080p screen, intel 8th gen i5 quad core, 8GB RAM and 256GB NVME on which I put Linux. Way better for studying and productivity than my android phone hooked up to the TV. It's a nice feature to have as a backup in case my laptop dies, but I wouldn't daily drive an android phone as a desktop computer for productivity.

gf000 8mo ago
A 2-3 generation old pixel on the second hand marker is not expensive at all though. And you easily add a mouse/keyboard just fine to it.
- jeffbee 8mo ago
  Note that such capabilities were added to the 8 after it launched. When they launched it they did not even mention that it contains displayport alt mode.
- joe_mamba 8mo ago
  >A 2-3 generation old pixel on the second hand marker is not expensive at all though. Sure but at around 300 bucks is still way over 50 bucks. And even if you get a used Pixel 8, having separate phone and computer adds a priceless layer of redundancy and flexibility. If someone steals my phone, I don't want to also loose my work PC with it.
  - deleted 8mo ago
    [deleted]
  - cogman10 8mo ago
    You are also buying a soon to be unmaintained device which will fall out of security support. That $50 PC can run linux with the latest kernel for the next 20 years (maybe longer).

jerlam 8mo ago

I don't think this leak implies that (all/some) Android phones will get desktop projection. It just means that Android has a desktop OS and is likely replacing ChromeOS as has been rumored for a while.

lifetimerubyist 8mo ago

Yeah and we’ll be forced to do this because nobody can afford computers anymore because of Ram and SSD prices because of companies like Google buying it all up at extortionist prices. We’re going backwards by putting all of our compute back in the warehouse.

bigstrat2003 8mo ago

What makes a computer useful is the form factor (decent size screen, mouse and keyboard instead of touch controls) and having full control of the system. It has nothing to do with browser extensions.

carlosjobim 8mo ago

You can get a monstrously powerful MacBook almost new for under $500. And that includes display, keyboard, touchpad and speakers. And a whole lot more.

neya 8mo ago

This has existed for more than a decade. Even my old Samsung S10+ had this feature. It's called Samsung DeX and it is not some handicapped environment like iPad OS either, you can actually get real work done, especially if you're a software engineer. https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/app/samsung-dex https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/app/samsung-dex

RajT88 8mo ago

What might have been... Windows Phone was on this path ages ago, and looking really good. I eagerly await one of two dreams (or both): 1. A phone which can seamlessly function as a desktop for my work. 2. A new clamshell Android phone ala Nokia e90, which is good enough for work stuff on the go.

mrighele 8mo ago

So you need to buy a phone, a monitor, a keyboard and a mouse. And you need a desk where to put the stuff, which is not a given if you are part of a poor family with several kids. A cheap android phone and a cheap chinese laptop with 16GB of ram is about 300 EUR where I live, and you can use it wherever you want.

hulitu 8mo ago

> This looks like it will help a lot of students and families who are on a budget. Playing gameas or what ? Working with files on Android is a PITA.

butlike 8mo ago

> The browser extensions are the most important part because that is what makes a computer useful. What year were you born? I ask not to lambast but because given infinite time, I doubt I would come to the same conclusion. To me (a 37-year old) that statement sounds like someone who grew up with Chromebooks in school