Google is introducing a new desktop mode to Pixel phones and tablets. The feature is part of the update for Pixels, allowing users with Pixel 8 and later models to connect their device to an external display via USB-C for a desktop-like multi-window experience.
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You can use a mouse and keyboard with the new desktop mode, which also works with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The Pixel Tablet is also getting a desktop window feature that, according to Google, will offer a “familiar interface for arranging and resizing overlapping windows.”
While Google's announcement didn't include any images of what these new experiences would look like, the company has been hinting at a desktop experience for Android for months. Last May, Google said it was working with Samsung to build on the company's DeX feature, which automatically changes your phone's layout when connected to a larger screen. Google also began allowing users with Pixel 8 and newer to try out these features in June.
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Google's new desktop feature aims to provide a more productive and flexible user experience for Pixel device owners. With the ability to connect to external displays, users can take full advantage of their devices' capabilities, turning them into full-fledged workstations. The use of a mouse and keyboard further enhances productivity, allowing users to multitask with ease.
Google's partnership with Samsung to develop this feature demonstrates the company's commitment to offering innovative solutions to its users. Samsung's DeX feature has already proven popular with users who want to use their devices in a more traditional desktop way, and Google seems to be looking to expand this experience to more Android users.
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With the growing demand for flexible work solutions and the need for remote work, Google’s new desktop feature comes at a crucial time. Users can now access a full desktop experience from their mobile devices, without the need for a separate PC or laptop. This could change the way people work and interact with technology in their daily lives.
