Google May Introduce New Samsung DeX-Style Desktop Experience for Phones with Android 16

Google is alleged to be growing a brand new desktop expertise for its Android telephones. As per a brand new report, the most recent Android 16 beta replace provides a brand new developer possibility, dubbed “Enable desktop experience features”, that brings the acquainted Android taskbar, the three-button navigation entry, and different choices when a Pixel operating the aforementioned beta is related to a laptop computer. The firm is purported to be engaged on a extra desktop-oriented expertise for its telephones and tablets in a bid to maintain up with rivals corresponding to Samsung, which affords DeX — brief for “Desktop eXperience”.

Desktop Experience with Android 16

According to an Android Authority report, the brand new addition was found within the developer choices of the most recent Android 16 Beta 4 replace operating on the Google Pixel 8 Pro. It is acknowledged to “enable desktop windowing on secondary displays”. Although the performance is not formally obtainable, the publication managed to activate it. Once the Pixel system is related to an exterior show corresponding to a laptop computer, the Android taskbar, standing bar, and the three-button navigation menu seems.

Photo Credit: Mishaal Rahman/ Android Authority

The taskbar carries pinned apps, corresponding to Phone, Messages, Camera, Google Chrome, alongside with the app drawer. When in desktop mode, it will probably additionally show latest apps, probably delivering improved multitasking capabilities.

The new performance makes it potential to launch a number of apps in floating home windows without delay, as per the report. And just like the Windows expertise, customers may be capable of transfer them round, resize them, or align them to the aspect. Further, it additionally permits for straightforward switch of content material utilizing drag and drop.

As per the report, the brand new desktop expertise in Android 16 may very well be a modified model of the desktop windowing characteristic which was launched for the Pixel pill with the discharge of Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 in September final 12 months. While this particular characteristic solely supported built-in shows, Google might have tweaked it to assist telephones related to exterior screens too, the report speculates.