As time goes by, Android is entering new areas that even its founders never imagined they would see. From smartwatches to smart TVs and from set-top boxes to foldable phones, the operating system has expanded its presence. And now Google ispreparing to enter yet another new field: the Android desktop from your phone.
The idea of a desktop mode isn't new, with both Samsung and Huawei working on it for quite some time. Other developers have also tried to upgrade Android to a desktop form factor, and now it seems that Google has also moved in this direction.
A hidden desktop feature was spotted in Android Q, but Google didn't mention anything about it, not even at Google I/O 2019. The good news is that it's actively developing it.
Desktop mode has quickly become a hot topic of conversation among developers for foldable, multi-screen, and large-screen devices. It breaks down some of the conventions that developers need to be aware of when preparing their apps to work properly on such unconventional displays. Google is finally giving developers the tools to officially make these features a part of the user experience.
Of course, just because Google is giving them the API doesn't mean developers will jump on board right away. Given how specialized the desktop features are on Samsung and Huawei, it'll be a while before it becomes the norm for all apps. Maybe by then there'll be no need for custom UIs like Samsung DeX, and all Android phones can transform into true computers in your pockets.
