Linux coming to Samsung DeX

[jamesrick80]

Samsung's DeX is a clever way to turn your phone into a desktop computer. However, there's one overriding problem: you probably don't have a good reason to use it instead of a PC. And Samsung is trying to fix that. It's unveilingLinux on Galaxy, an app-based offering that (surprise) lets you run Linux distributions on your phone. Ostensibly, it's aimed at developers who want to bring their work environment with them wherever they go. You could dock at a remote office knowing that your setup will be the same as usual.

It's not quite the same as your typical Ubuntu or Debian install. Linux on Galaxy launches through an app, and it's using the same kernel as Android itself in order to maintain performance. And it almost goes without saying that you'll really want a DeX setup, since most Linux apps are expecting a large screen, mouse and keyboard.

As it stands, you'll have to be patient. Linux on Galaxy isn't available right now -- you can sign up for alerts, but it's not ready for public consumption. Even so, this is good evidence that Samsung thinks of DeX as considerably more than a novelty feature. It may be a long, long while (if ever) before many people are using their phones as desktops, but Samsung is willing to gradually build up its ecosystem and eventually give you an incentive to take a second look.

https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/19/samsung-introduces-linux-on-galaxy/

This is so exciting. After this, hopefully windows 10 can port over too since its compatible with snapdragon 835 as well. Samsung is steadily improving it.

For more info on DeX read this:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/on-the...lmost-good-enough-to-leave-the-laptop-behind/

https://www.greenbot.com/article/3192106/android/samsung-dex-and-galaxy-s8-review.html

 

[Roadstar]

This news makes me glad to own an S8+ and DeX I hope it won’t take too long.

 

[lowendlinux]

http://maruos.com/#/

Runs like a champ on my N5

 

[convergent]

I'm sure the iOS fans here will find a way to bash this. Its nice to see companies trying innovative things. Apple touts how powerful their CPU is in the iPhone and iPad, but then gives you no way to tap the power to do the work you'd do on a full function PC. Running a full function virtual machine on your phone... priceless!

 

[Tsepz]

It is brilliant. From Day 1 of seeing DeX it drove my imagination wild, and I hoped for something like this and BOOM, there it is!

Seems Samsung has the right type of team working on this.

They have Microsoft on one hand making DeX optimised apps, game devs making DeX optimised games, and now this to

Let's see where it goes.

I'm sure the iOS fans here will find a way to bash this. Its nice to see companies trying innovative things. Apple touts how powerful their CPU is in the iPhone and iPad, but then gives you no way to tap the power to do the work you'd do on a full function PC. Running a full function virtual machine on your phone... priceless!

Haha! They will, they'll turn to the Microsoft Surface as their favourite company has nothing to compete with this, just useless Benchmarks

The day Apple do something similar they will praise it even if it's not better, they are an interesting bunch in that they are trained to think by their phone maker, the iPhone X notch and removal of 3.5mm jack and TouchID are clear indications of that.

 

[convergent]

It is brilliant. From Day 1 of seeing DeX it drove my imagination wild, and I hoped for something like this and BOOM, there it is!

Seems Samsung has the right type of team working on this.

They have Microsoft on one hand making DeX optimised apps, game devs making DeX optimised games, and now this to

Let's see where it goes.

Haha! They will, they'll turn to the Microsoft Surface as their favourite company has nothing to compete with this, just useless Benchmarks

The day Apple do something similar they will praise it even if it's not better, they are an interesting bunch in that they are trained to think by their phone maker, the iPhone X notch and removal of 3.5mm jack and TouchID are clear indications of that.

It is sad to see Apple becoming such a different company. This is what happens when you replace one of the great tech visionaries with a supply chain guy that has a keen interest in political issues. Its a testament to Jobs that the company continues to generate huge amounts of cash on what he built... but the foundation of his creation continues to crack here and there.

When you stop and think about what has Apple really done in the tech space that was innovative since Jobs was here, its not much. Spec bumps, removal of ports in the name of thinness, and a touch bar. If you are objective about the iPhone X, the only thing that is innovative on it is their tech to improve FaceID. So they came up with great tech to fix something that wasn't really broken, and are taking great risk to remove the working TouchID. That is not really the kind of innovation that progresses the industry. Microsoft and Samsung are trying things to disrupt your day to day, and the norms of using technology. This is one of them.

Its not the first time its been done, though, Motorola tried this phone as your only computer thing. Unfortunately, I still don't see it catching on beyond a niche, but I applaud them for trying.