"The biggest challenge is whether apps that provide a good experience on a 6-in. Patrick Moorhead, an analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy said he's "optimistic" for DeX, since each new dock on the market has improved the user experience. The result hasn't been very satisfying so far, several analysts said.
"The big question is whether and how enterprise productivity software like SharePoint applications sitting behind a VPN will run, and what the user experience is going to be with Galaxy S8 and DeX," he added.Ī big failing with previous virtual desktop experiences from a smartphone is that a larger display has presented blurred or inexact images of an app that looks fine on a small smartphone screen.
"Continuum at least offered software and UI support to make the transition seamless, whereas DeX will rely on Windows emulation," Goertz said.Īll Goertz got to see in his preview was a Windows desktop and Office 365.
"Docking stations are nothing new," Goertz said, noting that Microsoft introduced Continuum to work with Windows Mobile phones, which have already died out in the market. Several have been introduced, including the Motorola Atrix six years ago and HP's more recent Elite X3 dock. Docks for smartphones have not caught on so far. Indeed, DeX could prove to be one more thing that mobile workers desire, pay for and might not use very often. Gartner analyst Werner Goertz got an up-close preview of the device and said he would "certainly buy one and use one," adding it would provide a "valuable, complementary user experience."īut then he added: "I doubt it will replace my PC." Samsung worked with Microsoft and Adobe for remote and secure virtual desktop access, Samsung worked with Citrix, VMware and Amazon Web Services, the company said. Samsung clearly sees a market for the device, which will provide an Android-based, desktop-like experience when connected with the smartphone and all the other devices. DeX allows fast wireless charging and even has a built-in cooling fan. A user can cradle an S8 smartphone via USB Type C and can plug in a full-sized keyboard and mouse as well as a larger display through an HDMI port. When a user presses it in the middle, a cradle pops up.
It is designed to let an employee access apps, edit documents and browse the web and videos when his or her smartphone is inserted in the dock and is connected to a larger display, keyboard and mouse.ĭeX is a small, hockey puck-shaped device that is about four inches in diameter. The big question for Samsung will be how many workers and companies decide to buy the DeX. Samsung introduced a docking device called DeX on Wednesday that will work with its next-generation smartphones also announced today at a New York event - the Galaxy S8 and S8+.