Comment by pmontra
8 hours ago
Samsung DEX had a Linux desktop package in 2018. It was a lxd container based on Ubuntu 16.04. They developed it in collaboration with Canonical. Unfortunately they deprecated it shortly after, maybe already in 2018. The next Android update would remove it.
It worked but Android killed it mercilessly if it used too much memory or the rest of the system needed it.
Some current Android devices that have USB-C 3.1+ and support dp-alt-mode (USB-C to HDMI) will detect when an external display is connected and provide a full extended desktop. [0]
You can connect mouse, keyboard, and display to the Android device through an unpowered USB-C hub that offers the respective ports. Battery life depends on the make/model of Android device.
I have a Motorola phone and the experience is very nice.
[0] _ https://uperfect.com/blogs/wikimonitor/list-of-smartphones-w...
I still remember how much I liked the idea. Really tried to use it, but the experience with both browsers and vscode was....not that great.
Kinda hope they revisit this idea in a near future again
Google is implementing a full Linux VM in Android 16. This is probably how we'll get something similar.
https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-linux-terminal-d...