←back to thread

Google is building its own DeX: First look at Android's Desktop Mode

(www.androidauthority.com)
442 points logic_node | 10 comments | 13 May 25 14:30 UTC | HN request time: 0.526s | source | bottom
Show context
the_clarence ◴[13 May 25 14:56 UTC] No.43973667[source]▶
I switched from a lifetime of iPhones to an android phone last year, just because of folding phones. They are amazing and IMO the reason why Apple is going to have issues as these get cheaper (unless they release a folding phone too). Now that I have all this screen estate the current UI feels limiting often.
replies(4): >>43973686 #>>43973773 #>>43973776 #>>43973810 #
jccalhoun ◴[13 May 25 15:06 UTC] No.43973776[source]▶
Rumors are Apple will be inventing the folding phone in a year or two.
replies(2): >>43976549 #>>43976754 #
logic_node ◴[13 May 25 19:16 UTC] No.43976549[source]▶
Haha yeah, I’ve heard that too! Apple might be late to the foldable party, but you know how they do it — show up last and still steal the spotlight. If they really launch one, it’ll probably be super refined… and super pricey. Let’s see if they can change the game like they did with the notch!
replies(1): >>43977190 #
MBCook ◴[13 May 25 20:14 UTC] No.43977190[source]▶
I am pretty skeptical that I would like the size but I’m certainly interested in seeing what they come up with.

They like to wait until stuff is “ready” to their standard. Android had 3G, 4G, and 5G first. OLED screens too.

Early folders had a lot of issues, but I know a lot of that has been sorted for years.

replies(1): >>43977364 #
1. the_clarence ◴[13 May 25 20:31 UTC] No.43977364[source]▶
The size: its a smaller phone that becomes a tablet on demand. It really is the best of both worlds
replies(2): >>43977586 #>>43980382 #
2. MBCook ◴[13 May 25 20:51 UTC] No.43977586[source]▶
But is it? That’s what has me wondering.

If it’s the size of my current phone and folds out to be twice as wide, that sounds kind of nice. Except it would be so thin I worry it would be flimsy and there wouldn’t be as much space for battery (which the open screen would use faster) so wouldn’t I get worse battery life?

Unless you make it twice as thick. Then it’s twice as thick.

And so I’m not sure that bigger screen would justify any of that for me. Now if it was three times as wide that might be significantly nice because now you’re approaching like iPad mini size. But that just makes the thinness/thickness problem worse.

If it’s say half the size of my current phone and then unfolds to be the size of my current phone (game boy SP style) I’m not sure that’s really buying me anything either. My phone is fine, I don’t need a twice as thick half as tall version in my pocket that’s not really gonna help me.

I have heard they’re popular with women which makes a certain amount of sense to me. Because if you’re going to just carry your phone in your bag then the fact that it’s twice as thick doesn’t matter that much but you get the bigger screen.

I’m a phone-in-pocket person.

So I don’t know, it’s just not making a lot of sense to me. But like I said I’ve never used one and it may be one of those things where after a couple of days the light would go on and I would totally get it. I questioned the Apple Watch at first and now I love it. But that’s not always how it goes.

replies(3): >>43978919 #>>43979212 #>>43984107 #
3. ulfw ◴[13 May 25 23:17 UTC] No.43978919[source]▶
> If it’s the size of my current phone and folds out to be twice as wide, that sounds kind of nice. Except it would be so thin I worry it would be flimsy and there wouldn’t be as much space for battery (which the open screen would use faster) so wouldn’t I get worse battery life?

It isn't. I went from Apple's 16 Pro to an Oppo Find N5. Battery size 16 Pro: 3,582mAh. Though in fairness the Oppo is the same size as an iPhone 16 Pro Max, which has 4,685mAh.

Battery size Oppo Find N5: 5600mAh 56% more than my old phone. 20% more than the 16 Pro Max. Silicon carbon batteries.

It's beautiful what can be done if we go with modern technology and not Apple's profit maximising regurgitation of the same same for many many years.

4. ◴[13 May 25 23:55 UTC] No.43979212[source]▶
5. eru ◴[14 May 25 03:15 UTC] No.43980382[source]▶
Your hands still pay for the full weight all the time.
replies(2): >>43982061 #>>43989535 #
6. justsomehnguy ◴[14 May 25 07:58 UTC] No.43982061[source]▶
https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_z_fold6-13147.php

    Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
    Weight  239 g (8.43 oz)
https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_16_pro_max-13123.php

    Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
    Weight  227 g (8.01 oz)
Ah, yes, the whole 12g difference!
replies(1): >>43990852 #
7. the_clarence ◴[14 May 25 13:09 UTC] No.43984107[source]▶
I couldn't even read your post because it doesn't make sense to me. Just go in a store and try the phone.
8. the_clarence ◴[14 May 25 21:45 UTC] No.43989535[source]▶
Its actually much easier to hold a folding phone! I often just use it in unfolded mode because it's so easy to hold
9. eru ◴[15 May 25 01:12 UTC] No.43990852{3}[source]▶
Both of these are crazy heavy by my standards. The Nexus 5 was a great phone at 130g.
replies(1): >>44014916 #
10. justsomehnguy ◴[17 May 25 15:14 UTC] No.44014916{4}[source]▶
To each their own.

I'm fine with a heavier ones. And looking at the amounts of iPhones sold (including cases, holders and whatever) the weight isn't a factor for the many.