Samsung updates Linux on DeX with additional device support

Samsung hasn’t been trumpeting its DeX mode of late so it is easy to forget that it still exists. For the uninitiated, DeX is special mode on recent Galaxy devices that gives users a PC-like desktop experience. On smartphones like the new Galaxy S10, it allows users to connect the device to a monitor, keyboard and mouse for a multi-windowed Android desktop. On tablets like the Tab S4, it allows users to enjoy the same functionality directly on the device itself when attached to a keyboard cover and paired with a mouse.

Linux on DeX is still in beta, but it works very well with Samsung continuing to develop it. It allows users to create a full Linux desktop environment within a container inside DeX itself. This allows users to run full Linux apps without any of the restrictions that you might run into in the standard DeX environment. Given the amount of processing power and RAM configurations in Samsung’s recent devices, it’s great to be able to take full advantage of it.

The latest update to Linux on DeX expands support from the Note 9 and Tab S4 to include support for the Galaxy S9, S9+, S10e, S10, S10+, S10 5G and the new Galaxy Tab S5e on Android 9 Pie. It will continue to work for Note 9 and Tab S4 devices still on Android 8 Oreo. Owners of these devices can download the latest version of Linux on DeX beta through the Google Play Store. If you haven’t given it a try, it is well worth exploring.