‘Linux on DeX’ Will Allow Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 Owners to Code on the Go

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Published 19 Oct 2017

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Samsung DeX

When Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S8 earlier this year, it also announced Dex Station. The accessory essentially turned the Galaxy S8 into a mini computer. Simply plug the handset into the dock, connect a mouse and keyboard and a display, and you would then get a desktop-like experience with the ability to multitasking with multiple apps and run them in full-screen mode.

Now, Samsung is improving DeX even further with its new Linux on Galaxy app. As the name indicates, the app would allow developers to load and run their own Linux distribution on the Galaxy S8 and Note 8 when the handsets would be connected to a DeX station. This will allow developers to code in their Linux distribution of choice using the DeX station.

Considering the Galaxy S8 and Note 8 do offer a near PC-like experience when docked with the DeX station, this move should please developers who are always on the move. The feature is clearly aimed at advanced users and developers and not for the average Galaxy S8/Note 8 user out there.

In addition, Samsung is also making it easier to play games while using the DeX station. It is working with many developers to add native support for the DeX station to their games. For now, the company says Vainglory, Survival Arena, Eric Froemling’s BombSquad, Lineage 2 Revolution, and Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition support its DeX platform completely.

For now, Linux on Galaxy is still under development, but you can sign up here to get up to date information about it.