For those who bought the Galaxy S8/S8+, the 2,500 /4,000 yuan shopping bonus was given away, what did you change? When the mobile phone was launched, in addition to a bunch of protective cases, the accessory "Dex Mobile Workstation" was also launched, advertised as A pocket computer, connect DeX and a screen to turn your phone into a computer, connect a mouse and keyboard to easily view and edit files...

After reading this description, the picture in everyone's mind must be different...

Some people will think that it is to transfer the S8 to the big screen, right?

Some people also think it means that I can use PC and mobile phone on one screen at the same time, right?

But isn't the computer better than the mobile phone, why don't I use the computer well, but use the mobile phone on the big screen?

Or can S8+Dex replace PC work? (surprise!)

(But everyone should know this, the answer is: not necessarily, it depends on what software you use for work. For example, the work of Xiaobian is not only about typing and replying to letters, but I also need to retouch and silhouette photos, which is not available yet. Mobile phone OS individual work~)

If you need to watch a drama, Chromecast is invincible and easy to use~

….wait wait wait.

I started this trial with these questions, B-36-0, but before clarifying these questions, I still need to understand what the Dex mobile workstation looks like and what it is used for. In the process of opening, step by step Let's take a look at what kind of situation Dex is suitable for.

But before watching Dex, I want to show off the crystal black S8 that I borrowed~

I heard from Samsung before that there are currently more large-screen S8+s than S8s. Crystal Black Taiwan also only introduces S8+. If you want a black S8, you may really have to buy it from abroad. This is a European standard.

The texture of pure black is really good~ Although some friends said after seeing it: Samsung also has obsidian black... However, the curved Super AMOLED screen with pure black and very narrow borders seems to have a smooth overall feel and lines. It feels really nice. (Please swipe left and right to switch pictures on the mobile web page or app)

I found the built-in RAW file setting in the listed S8, I turned on the RAW file + professional mode when I remembered it, and took a few photos of the appearance with another S8, but I have cropped and retouched these RWAs... These RAW files can be used with a little adjustment for comparison, but because zooming is not possible, it is still a problem to capture a key composition. Please swipe left or right to switch pictures on the mobile web page or app.

This is what it looks like after it is pushed open. The front is a slot and the backrest. The phone is connected to Dex through USB Type-C Prot and charged at the same time.

This Type-C rack actually has an elastic space, so that the S8/S8+ with a protective cover can also be installed, but there is always a limitation. There is no thick shell at hand, but I use clay to thicken it for testing. It is about more than 3mm. It can't be plugged in, what should I do? Although it's a bit nonsense, I had to remove the shell.

USB allows you to connect the mouse and keyboard, of course, you can also use the blue wireless, you can also connect a pen drive.

Wired LAN Port allows mobile phones to be connected via wired network.

HDMI is naturally used to connect to the screen.

Type-C is used to supply power to Dex and mobile phones. When trying it out, I found that it will pick a charger. It needs to output 9 V/1.67 A, 9 V/2 A, 12 V/2.1 A (S8 chargers are compatible with ), generally 5V--2A is really not good, many people will put a USB plug-in Hub next to the computer, check the output specifications, but I think it is not possible either.

The anti-slip pad at the bottom is actually quite important. If you can connect the mouse, you don't want Dex to move along with it when you operate it. (If you start with it later, there is a layer of film on the anti-slip pad, remember to tear it off...)

Both of them transfer the content of the S8 to the big screen, but Dex optimizes the layout and interface to a PC-like look, and can be operated through the mouse and keyboard, even if the mobile phone screen is turned off, it can still be used on the big screen. .

Mirroring is simply to put the mobile phone screen on the big screen. The arrangement of the mobile phone is what it looks like on the big screen, and it can be operated through the keyboard and mouse.

If it is a wired or Wi-Fi keyboard and mouse, just plug it directly into the USB Port on the Dex. If you want to connect to Bluetooth, just connect it to your mobile phone. If it is a 2.4GHz wireless group, just plug the receiver into the USB Port of Dex.

I am here with a 2.4GHz mouse and keyboard, the whole is refreshing~ (with a Samsung CF591-27-inch front screen)

"Can I connect the S8+Dex to the computer at work?"

If you mean that this screen is connected to the computer host, and then connected to S8+Dex, can it be possible to use the PC operating system and the mobile phone on the same screen at the same time, then the answer is: no, at this time, on the screen, The operating system that can be used is still the main operating system of the PC. S8+Dex will not be covered, nor will it coexist with the OS of the PC.

So here is a clear concept: S8+Dex is a set of hosts, to use the S8 operating system, transfer the functions of the S8 to the big screen, or the original computer, choose one. S8+Dex is not a tool that allows you to operate your mobile phone and receive messages on the computer in addition to working with the computer.

Following this question, what should I use if I want to use my phone and receive notifications on my work screen.

There are actually quite a lot of solutions for this. You can search for Mobizen, ApowerMirror, etc., you can reverse the operation of the Android phone on the computer, or use the computer keyboard to input software, but this kind of software usually uses the principle of morroring, so the mobile phone displays When the screen is closed, the picture on the computer also disappears. (The program needs to be installed on both the computer and the mobile phone. For Samsung users, please find Mobizen for Samsung).

If you just want to receive phone notifications on your computer and don't want to control it, you can search for software such as AirDroid and PushBullet.

PC interface

The connected desktop looks like this~ At first glance, it looks like a computer, but in fact, all the functions come from the S8. At this time, the body of the PC can be used, but the soul of the S8 is used to describe this working environment, which is quite cool.

Shortcut functions, notification bar, program list... can all be expanded by clicking the toolbar at the bottom.

It is also possible to drag frequently used App shortcuts to the desktop, drag and drop to arrange and categorize them, and press the right button to uninstall them. These are all familiar operation methods.

Will all programs be PC-based? What about input methods? What about touch controls?

The S8's built-in programs and Google Apps are all PC-like, and these are the most no problem.

For example,

This is Samsung's built-in browser. When you take a screenshot, you will want to say why you are capturing the computer screen for me to see, so I took a picture of the whole environment.

Typesetting, operation... are the same as those on the big computer screen. The menu and long-press functions can be called out by pressing the right mouse button. The videos on the web page can also be enlarged to the full screen, and the browser looks almost the same as the computer. .

(There is a denial, but the books are arranged together at the back.)

Chat class:

LINE. In fact, the LINE chat interface is not much different from a computer, so even if it is used on a Dex/big screen, the interface is fine. The problem should be typing input, because it is not a computer at this time. Input method, while feeling kaka.

You can also call or video, this time using the lens of the mobile phone (so you need to adjust the angle yourself). At this time, you can use the mobile phone to speak through amplifying the voice, or connect a Bluetooth headset (with a mobile phone) to talk, and the LINE screen, including the video, can be full-screen.

At this time, you should feel that this is very inappropriate, but in fact.... don't worry about using the app, just use the browser to go to FB~

Many apps are like this. If you open the program directly, it will only display so large on Dex, but in fact, you can just use a browser, such as Evernote, Messenger, e-book App, LiTV...etc.

Drama category:

So if you want to follow dramas, such as iQIYI, KKTV, Netflix, etc., is it enough to open a web page and play it on the full screen?

These three are specially picked out, of course there is something to explain.

The iQiyi App seems to be optimized, but when playing videos, it cannot be placed on the full screen, and the picture quality cannot be selected.

The reason for citing these examples is not only to let everyone see how some popular apps appear on Dex, but also to explain that there are too many third-party apps, and the interface may be optimized, but not 100% of every link is like this. It may be assumed that you are still in the environment of the mobile phone, so it cannot be presented as a PC at all.

Non-video apps are actually not too troublesome, but if you think about this device because you want to watch dramas on the big screen, you can see if the playback screen of the size of the app is acceptable. If it doesn't work, you may think again. (It may be more suitable to study Chromecast to watch the film)

paperwork

If you are accustomed to working on web pages, such as Google documents, the interface functions will be computer-like except for typing habits.

In addition to drafting, we often need to retouch pictures, so I especially tried several sets of Adobe apps.

Because the host is still a mobile phone, even Lightroom is a mobile version, but the mobile version of Lightroom is also a set of powerful photo editing software, and the S8/S8+ can shoot RAW files (in professional mode), and editing is also supported on Lightroom. , the retouching is transferred to the big screen through Dex, the experience is actually very good.

games

The game is divided into two parts, the screen and the operation.

Most of the screen maintains the size of the app, not the full screen or can be enlarged, and the horizontal size should be enough for static games, such as playing mahjong, farms, etc., but the nature of action, pay attention to the effect of the screen is not enough.

Then to operate, just click and drag, you can use the mouse instead, like mahjong, cut the rope, bubble pop, hearthstone and other cards throwing cards, if you need to use the sensor, or multi-touch with two fingers Can't come to play.

But in fact, it’s not very certain. Like Super Mario, although it is purely click to play, he has some fancy changes, which makes it impossible to play with the mouse, and even tried some shooting, even the “Start Play” icon cannot be clicked. (So does CYTUS).

In short, the situation of the game is not certain. There are too many developers and too many game types. It is difficult to unify. If you mainly want to play games on the big screen and consider Dex, then think again.

what to do on the phone

There are so many pictures taken above, and everyone should have noticed that in Dex mode, there is no picture on the phone.

What if there is a phone call and a message?

The same thing~ The incoming call screen will appear on the screen, and the call rejection is also clicked with the mouse.

That sound?

You can use the original mobile phone's microphone, speaker, and amplifier to speak, and the other is to connect the mobile phone to a Bluetooth headset.

However, in Dex mode, I have already connected a Bluetooth speaker. Can I connect a Bluetooth headset?

In fact, it is possible. After connecting another bluetooth speaker, you can set the bluetooth speaker to only play media audio or even call audio. If you want to even call, then you can use the bluetooth speaker to listen and the mobile phone microphone to speak.

But if you don't want to amplify the call, just let the Bluetooth speaker play the media audio, and then connect another pair of Bluetooth headsets for the call.

It seems that in Dex mode, the most convenient solution for sound seems to be: (mobile phone) connect a pair of comfortable Bluetooth calling headsets that also like the sound quality. You don't need so much equipment.

Can I use 3.5mm headphones with a microphone?

No, because the Dex socket itself does not have an Audio Port, it means that it cannot connect the 3.5mm earphone/microphone to the mobile phone (even if the screen itself has Audio in/out, it is useless to connect it, because it is not connected to the mobile phone~)

Input method and some proviso

Well, finally let's talk about the input method in Dex mode.

Because the host is a mobile phone at this time, the operating system and programs are still from the mobile phone, so the input method is the input method of the mobile phone. Although the interface will be PC-like, the input method is still the built-in Samsung input method, and in Dex mode , you can't choose a third-party input method, it may not be bad for English, but Chinese has the problem that PC input habits are different from mobile phones.

what is the problem?

I only know phonetics, so here is the status of phonetics.

On the computer, we are used to typing all the pronunciations, including the first, second, third, and fourth sounds, but on the mobile phone, we are used to typing fast, and even only typing at the beginning of the Zhuyin, and in the Samsung keyboard, the space key is not a single sound, so when we encounter a sound The word, the rhythm of the input is not the same, this is one.

In addition, it is impossible to type full-type punctuation at will like a computer. Either look for punctuation in the predicted word, or switch to English mode to type half-type.

But after trying it in the past few days, I am glad that the predicted words of the Samsung input method are not too different from the words that are often used. If you skip the punctuation problem, you can still type quickly, but it will not be as smooth as typing on a PC.

Anything else?

In addition to the input method, the other is the interface, which is visually PC-based, but the connotation is not necessarily completely PC-based, especially when encountering third-party apps.

For example, if you click on the link in the Samsung browser, some will open another window instead of opening a new tab next to it.

Right-clicking on the Chrome browser brings up a menu that takes up the entire screen.

In addition, the webpage cannot be zoomed on Dex, and the command to enlarge the text is also invalid.

Can open multiple windows, but not necessarily multitasking

In fact, putting the picture on the big screen through Dex has a great advantage: you can open/browse more windows at the same time.

For example, chatting on Line here, putting a web page next to it, or playing videos, keeping games, etc.

But there can only be one app running at the same time. For example, the browser, Line and the video are opened on the screen. If you are typing and chatting on the Line, the video will be paused. If you suddenly want to check something on the browser, the video will be paused. But the pause is not closed, it is still waiting in the background, so the game that needs time to keep it can be kept open. (Oh, of course the download will not be affected)

Been thinking about who would need Dex while trying it out.

Someone who doesn't have a computer?

But the absence of a computer means that he does not need to report, do homework or work from home, and may only need to watch movies, then there should be a tablet already.

And the idea of "S8+Dex=PC" should not exist, because if it is thought that it will become a PC in seconds, the expectation will be too high, but it is not a 100% computer.

But does this mean that the Dex mobile workstation makes no sense?

No need, because after transferring the S8 to the big screen through Dex, the interface is PC-based, and the whole experience is much better than pure mirroring, simple surfing the Internet, not a lot of word processing, using apps, receiving notifications...etc. , It is still very easy to use the mouse and keyboard on the big screen, you don't need to learn much, and you don't have to keep your head down. (And found that the eyes are less sour)