Samsung's DeX Evolution: A Step Forward for Tablet Productivity
Samsung's latest Galaxy Tab S11 series brings significant changes, especially with the revamped DeX in One UI 8. As someone who uses tablets for both work and play, I find the direction Samsung's taking with DeX quite intriguing. It feels like they're trying to bridge the gap between a traditional tablet experience and a desktop environment.
The most noticeable change is how DeX integrates with the standard Android interface. You can now seamlessly switch between your regular tablet mode and a DeX desktop. It's like having multiple virtual desktops on your PC. This eliminates the previous friction of waiting for a separate UI to load, making multitasking smoother than ever. For example, you can have your work apps running in DeX and your entertainment apps in the regular interface, switching between them without any interruptions.
I appreciate the ability to organize apps across multiple DeX screens, similar to how I manage my workflow on a Windows machine. However, there are some trade-offs. The new DeX uses the standard One UI home screen, which means the specialized taskbar and navigation buttons from the old DeX are gone. This makes using a keyboard and mouse feel less intuitive, which is a shame considering Samsung sells a keyboard cover for these tablets. Imagine trying to navigate using a mouse on the edge of the screen – it's not the most user-friendly experience.
Ideally, Samsung could've kept the old DeX as an option, accessible via a quick setting. This way, we'd have the best of both worlds: a streamlined, touch-friendly DeX for everyday tasks and the more desktop-like experience when needed. Despite these drawbacks, I think this new direction for DeX is promising. The reduced friction and improved multitasking make it a more compelling productivity tool. I'd even argue it surpasses other tablet multitasking modes, including those on iPad OS.
Whether you see these changes as a positive step or a regrettable loss of the old DeX, one thing is clear: Samsung is actively evolving its tablet experience. It will be interesting to see if they reintroduce elements of the older desktop interface in future updates. But as it stands, I'm more optimistic about Samsung DeX than ever before. It feels like they're finally unlocking the full potential of their tablets. What do you think about the new DeX? Is it a move in the right direction, or do you miss the old version?
Source: AndroidAuthority