Soon Kon Kim is the director of strategic technology partnership in the Strategic Ecosystem and Industry Solution Group of VMware. This blog has been reposted from vmware.com with permission.

Several years ago, Samsung introduced Samsung DeX, enabling Galaxy S8 smartphones to offer a PC-like “Desktop eXperience” through a connected monitor. VMware and Samsung have since collaborated to evolve the VDI experience on flagship Galaxy phones and tablets, combining optimizations with new capabilities to make DeX even more powerful.

Now, we are excited to debut one of Samsung DeX users’ most widely requested features: Extended Display via VMware Horizon on Samsung DeX. Connected to an external monitor, flagship Samsung Galaxy devices (phones and tablets) can now use the device’s display as a secondary screen just as a PC has been able to provide, powered by VMware’s Horizon and Workspace ONE.

VMware Workspace One provides IT admins a comprehensive management of Samsung DeX by its fully-integrated Knox Service Plugin for enterprise use.

VMware utilized Samsung’s DeX Dual Mode function to add support for extended display virtualization, and DeX APIs to provide flagship Galaxy phone and tablet users the first Extended Display Workspace with full keyboard and mouse compatibility across both screens. Galaxy device users get seamless access to virtual desktops across screens and can manage applications on each of them from a single device.

In this example, the VMware Horizon Client for Android uses DeX functionality with Samsung’s Galaxy S Tab and extends the virtual desktop to both displays.

The image above shows the experience Horizon on DeX provides, running VMware’s Horizon Client on a Samsung Galaxy S Tab connected to a Samsung USB-C monitor to provide a multi-screen desktop experience. Alternately, either screen can continue to open native Android applications be used for Unified Communication or other needed functions.

DeX has come a long way since 2017, as Samsung has provided feature updates based on customer feedback and new technologies. Over the years, DeX has expanded to include a wide range of flagship Galaxy smartphones, tablets, and now foldable devices. DeX now allows users to easily share files with connected PCs or Macs, and wirelessly connect to TVs and computers. Some of the major DeX milestones are summarized below.

VMware has integrated these improvements into Workspace ONE and Horizon, so users can rely on Galaxy devices to seamlessly virtualize secure PC experiences anywhere – a fast and simple deployment solution specifically highlighted by remote workers and IT departments during the pandemic. This eliminates the experience gap for Windows PC users and enables employers to simplify deployments of PC environments and applications.

Several customers have adopted this joint solution to transform their offices into work-anywhere spaces with the combination of flexibility, manageability, and security their businesses require. Using Horizon on DeX, companies can offer a more secure and fully powered desktop experience through a mobile device without a complicated deployment, even when traditional PCs are unavailable.

Extended Display is one of the key features customers have been asking for since the introduction of DeX, and we are excited to deliver it to you today. VMware’s new Horizon Client with DeX is available for download now from the Google Play store: VMware Horizon Client – Apps on Google Play

You can learn more here:

VMWare Horizon Samsung DeX VMware and Samsung joint solution page Beginner’s guide to Samsung DeX Horizon and Samsung DeX documentation Horizon and Samsung DeX release notes