Out and About with Linux on Galaxy

At last, developers themselves are able to experience a truly mobile development environment.

Linux on Galaxy, an app demonstrated during SDC 2017 in San Francisco, is designed to free developers from their desks by providing a Linux OS environment for their Galaxy smartphone: anywhere, anytime, on-the-move. Smartphones with Linux on Galaxy are capable of having multiple operating systems running at the same time, so developers have the ability to work with their Linux-based distributions of choice on their mobile device, without restrictions. As well as using the Android OS, they can open the app to run any software they require in a Linux OS environment, giving developers the flexibility to choose.

What’s more, Linux on Galaxy is DeX-enabled, meaning that developers can seamlessly move from smartphone to desktop whenever they want to work on a larger screen with a keyboard and mouse.** Currently in its trial stage, Linux on Galaxy is already causing a buzz amongst developers.

Even More Entertainment

Samsung DeX complements the conventional mobile experience. In the world of entertainment, Samsung DeX now offers support for even more mobile games and video streaming services, so users can watch the action come to life on a larger screen.

Samsung’s partnerships with major video game developers such as Super Evil Megacorp’s Vainglory, Game Insight’s Survival Arena, Eric Froemling’s BombSquad and Netmarble’s Lineage 2 Revolution present popular mobile games on the immersive desktop setting through the Samsung Game Launcher app, with a keyboard and mouse for easier gameplay. This allows players to move from mobile to desktop, and back again, without disrupting their gaming experience. In addition, new titles – including Lineage 2 Revolution and Nexon’s AxE – are beginning to support Vulkan API in increasing numbers. The upcoming “mobile title” Square Enix FINAL FANTASY XV POCKET EDITION has been optimized for both Vulkan and DeX, pushing the boundaries of mobile gaming.

With Twitch, users of the video streaming service are provided with a better multitasking experience and can resize the window and play video while running other apps via Samsung DeX.

Powering Productivity

The service doesn’t just enhance mobile entertainment– it also heightens user productivity. Samsung DeX transforms the docked Samsung smartphone into a desktop-like workstation, increasing output for professionals on-the-go.

Users can enjoy an improved email experience—with email clients such as Samsung Email, Samsung Focus, Nine Email and MS Outlook—via an optimized interface with a desktop-like, three-column layout, flexible split view and multi composer.

Likewise, Samsung DeX enables a better collaboration with video conferencing from even more services such as Zoom, BlueJeans and GoToMeeting. Video conferencing has been made simpler with a seamless docking-undocking experience, support for screen and document sharing, and multitasking capabilities that allow the user to stay in the call while taking notes or sending email.

With the Galaxy Note8, the new All Apps user interface offers users a full view of up to 36 of their mobile apps at once, which is an increase from previous view of 25 apps. The enhanced UI makes app access and search more convenient, allowing users to identify and utilize apps faster.

As Samsung continues to expand its partner ecosystem with third-party developers and strives to broaden the use of Linux on its smartphone, the service’s ecosystem will continue to grow organically, offering a wider range of Samsung DeX-optimized apps, features and experiences for Galaxy users across business and entertainment.

* Samsung DeX is compatible with the Galaxy Note8 as well as the Galaxy S8 and S8+

**To find out when Linux on Galaxy will become available please sign up at: http://seap.samsung.com/linux-on-galaxy

A Convenient Mobile Desktop Experience

To get started with Samsung DeX, users simply need to connect the DeX Station, Samsung’s branded docking station, to any FHD (16:9 ratio) supported display with an HDMI port; connect any Bluetooth-enabled, USB or RF-type keyboard and mouse to their phone; connect the DeX Station with a Samsung branded fast charger; and dock their Galaxy S8 in the DeX Station. Once connected, their mobile phone will switch to Samsung DeX mode.

The Samsung DeX interface is easily navigable and consistent with most desktops, as it supports keyboard and mouse gestures such as shortcuts, scrolling and drag and drop. Furthermore, with the ability to quickly shift between applications and adjust application window size with ease, users can see a range of contents all at once and multitask with efficiency.

Meanwhile, the Samsung DeX Home Screen’s Task Bar allows users to see which applications are currently running, while pop-up notifications on the bottom right of the screen notify the user of incoming messages and calls without blocking the screen.

Optimized for Productivity

Samsung DeX’s intuitive applications and services help to maximize productivity by allowing people to work more efficiently whenever and wherever they want.

For example, four Samsung applications are equipped with enhanced features that work in Samsung DeX. Samsung Internet, Samsung’s native browser app, lets users launch the desktop version of websites in multiple windows simultaneously, while MyFiles allows convenient dragging and dropping of files and documents from one folder to another. Gallery makes it easier to browse images with a mouse and keyboard and Samsung e-mail facilitates digital correspondence by letting users easily attach files by dragging and dropping them to the email composer.

Key collaborations with Microsoft and Adobe provide Samsung DeX compatibility with Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and Adobe mobile apps including the Adobe Acrobat Reader and Lightroom mobile apps. These applications provide desktop-like functionality and a user interface previously unavailable from a smartphone.

Whether making side-by-side price comparisons on shopping websites, editing photos while browsing images in Gallery or chatting with a colleague while editing a presentation, Samsung DeX enables an easier, faster and smarter way to get things done.

A Mobile Workspace Solution

Because the data from their smartphone is only displayed on the monitor, and not transferred from the mobile device, enterprise users can rest assured knowing their information is safe when using Samsung DeX. Furthermore, while connected to the DeX Station, the smartphone continues to be secured by the Samsung Knox security platform, which provides protection against potential threats.

Samsung DeX also allows mobile workers and business professionals to remotely and securely access virtual apps and desktops through partner solutions including Citrix, VMware and Amazon Web Services, whose apps are optimized for Samsung DeX with keyboard and mouse interactions, full screen mode and resizable window capabilities.

The DeX Station contains an HDMI port, two USB 2.0 ports, an Ethernet port, USB type-C power-in and a cooling fan. Additionally, Samsung DeX utilizes Adaptive Fast Charging (AFC) technology to charge the smartphone while in DeX mode.

Samsung DeX will be available globally at the launch of the Galaxy S8 and S8+.

* Compatibility will be expanded to support other devices in the future.