Subj : The Google Pixel 8 just got a new feature that brings it closer t
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Tue Mar 12 2024 11:45:06

The Google Pixel 8 just got a new feature that brings it closer to the S24's 
DeX mode

Date:
Tue, 12 Mar 2024 11:33:02 +0000

Description:
The latest Android beta adds USB-C display output support to the Google Pixel 
8 and Pixel 8 Pro.

FULL STORY
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You might imagine that if you plugged your Google Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro into 
an external screen via USB-C it would mirror the phones display, but in fact 
until recently nothing would happen at all. Now though, if you have the 
latest Android beta, screen mirroring over USB-C is possible. 

This was spotted by Android Authority , which notes that this feature has 
always been possible at a hardware level, but that for some reason Google 
previously blocked it on a software level, perhaps so that Pixel 8 owners 
would instead make use of Googles wireless Cast feature to mirror the screen. 

In any case though, if you download Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2, you can now 
mirror your screen over USB-C. No match for DeX  at least not yet 

This is still a step behind what Samsung allows on the likes of the Samsung 
Galaxy S24 , with the companys DeX mode offering a desktop-like experience on 
external displays. But you can in fact enable a basic desktop environment on 
the Pixel 8 by selecting force desktop mode in Androids developer options. 

Do this, and rather than mirroring your phones screen, the external display 
will show an interface designed more for large screens, albeit a very basic 
interface designed for use by developers rather than end users. 

However, the site reports that Google has long been working on improvements 
for this desktop-mode, and Android Authority theorizes that enabling display 
mirroring in this beta could be a step towards launching a polished, DeX-like 
desktop mode to users as part of Android 15 . 

That timing is just speculation though, and its even possible that enabling 
display output over USB-C in this beta was a mistake  one which may be 
remedied in the next update. 

So we cant be sure of anything yet. But hopefully this feature is here to 
stay, and perhaps its also a sign of bigger, better, Samsung-rivaling 
features to come. You might also like Best Google Pixel phones : we've ranked 
all the Pixel handsets worth buying Google Pixel 8 review : full of surprises 
Googles affordable Pixel 8a may not be so affordable after all



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/phones/google-pixel-phones/the-google-pixel-8-just-g
ot-a-new-feature-that-brings-it-closer-to-the-s24s-dex-mode


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