Because of Android 16, the day I’ve been eager for has lastly arrived. After years of hoping Google would observe in Samsung’s footsteps, it has carried out simply that, as we now have a correct desktop mode on Pixel telephones
After spending a while with it, I’ve a couple of ideas, however earlier than I proceed, I must remind everybody that that is a part of Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2. Simply maintain that in thoughts in case you enterprise down this path your self, as you’re prone to run into a couple of bugs alongside the way in which.
Getting began
When you set up QPR1 Beta 2 and simply plug your Pixel into an exterior show, you both gained’t see something or will simply see your telephone display mirrored. That’s as a result of Google’s not able to make desktop mode accessible to everybody proper out of the field. In spite of everything, this can be a Developer Preview, and never the general public construct.
Fortunately, it’s fairly simple to allow desktop mode, as you simply must allow Developer Choices, toggle the “Allow desktop expertise options,” then reboot your telephone. Now, if you attempt plugging in your Pixel to an exterior show, it ought to present a desktop-like interface.
A superb begin with room for enchancment
For probably the most half, it seems to be precisely like I anticipated it to, which is fairly much like Samsung DeX. Once more, it doesn’t come as a shock, contemplating that Google requested Samsung for some assist in the design and implementation.
The Dock matches up with no matter you beforehand added in your telephone, excluding a couple of issues. On the far left is an app drawer; any apps that you’ve open will seem to the fitting of the Dock, and on the far proper are your normal navigation controls. Nevertheless, you may nonetheless use some gestures you probably have a trackpad paired to your telephone, or one thing just like the NexDock.
I used to be a bit involved about how easily it might be to maneuver totally different app home windows round. Fortunately, it’s been about nearly as good as I may have hoped for, which was actually a reduction, as I used to be a bit fearful about some jankiness.
It is not good, however Google acquired loads of issues proper with desktop mode, to the purpose that I am already snug utilizing it usually.
There are a couple of different options packed into desktop mode that I wasn’t anticipating, similar to the power to snap app home windows to the left or proper aspect simply by dragging the window to at least one aspect or the opposite. There’s even a preview menu that seems after I hover my cursor over the “window management” button within the prime proper nook. You’re restricted to simply two choices (full-screen or split-screen), nevertheless it’s nonetheless useful to have.
Concurrently all of that, there’s nonetheless undoubtedly room for enchancment. A few of the extra bothersome points are possible simply nitpicks and might/might be addressed with future updates.
One of many extra annoying issues is the toolbar that seems each time your cursor is in a textual content subject, above the Dock that you simply simply can’t do away with. There’s no technique to cover it, and it sits on prime of every other window, which simply drives me nuts.
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The one means I’ve been in a position to mitigate the frustration is by turning it right into a vertical bar, which strikes it to the left of the display. On the brilliant aspect, you may transfer it both left or proper, or up or down, relying on the orientation.
One other annoyance is how every part is dealt with after I disconnect and reconnect my telephone. As an illustration, as I write this, I’ve a number of totally different app home windows open on the NexDock.
Nevertheless, after I unplug my telephone, go to do one thing else, after which come again to plug it in once more, all of the app home windows are gone. There’s no “reminiscence” of what I used to be doing, what home windows had been open, or how they had been organized.
I’m unsure that is one thing that Google will actually implement, however possibly we may get one thing just like the “Welcome Recap” discovered on Chromebooks. This offers an summary of the apps that had been open the final time you place the gadget to sleep. Whereas I believe we’re somewhat bit away from seeing new options added, I would not less than like for my apps to open up once more after I connect with an exterior show.
Lastly, and once more, that is extra nuance than something, however I believe it’d be fairly nifty if I may have a dual-screen setup with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold and an exterior display. That means that I want I may principally have an “prolonged display” state of affairs like with Motorola’s Sensible Join, even when I couldn’t drag apps forwards and backwards between the 2.
I am actually enthusiastic about desktop mode
The one recurring feeling that I’ve had in my transient time utilizing desktop mode on Android 16 is that it feels loads like a Chromebook. I’m unsure if there was actually any means for Google to keep away from this, however possibly that’s form of the purpose, as it’ll really feel acquainted to everybody, it doesn’t matter what platform you’ve used.
That being stated, I’ve been somewhat having fun with desktop mode thus far, and you’ll wager your backside greenback that I’ll be paying shut consideration to what modifications are made. This has been one thing I’ve wished for a very long time, and I am pleased to see it lastly potential on gadgets that aren’t made by Samsung.
