The Best Features in Samsung's New Galaxy Note20 That Apple Should Adopt

[MacRS4]

You're assuming because you find something a gimmick that others will too. Nearly all of the above I use, regularly. None of them are deal-breakers though to be fair, but they are useful to have.

DeX is massively underestimated.

 

[The Game 161]

Almost all of these are pure gimmick.

- Split windows on this tiny screen? I seldom use this on my 12.9" iPad Pro. Did you ever run your applications in window of half width of 13" screen on your MacBook (without virtual desktop to switch to other arrangement)?

- Jotting on this tiny device with a pen is difficult when you are approaching the lower part of the screen since you will have no support of your hand holding the pen.

- Charging AirPods battery case with my phone faced down? Why not just plugging a charging cable. Maybe useful if I could directly charge the ear pieces (without having to taking out the charging case).

- DEX is dubious. We are cutting every cable to get full mobility. And let's be honest that most of those who so much addicted to their phone are for killing time, like playing game or watching movie/photo on youtube, p0rnhub and Instagram.

Everything are gimmicks until apple get it then its great ...that's always been the flawed logic by many apple fans. Just because apple don't have it it's downplayed


Spilt screen is great no matter what size. You don't know when its useful. Pop up windows is even better...real multitasking

While dex is more useful on tablets it still has a use case

 

[I7guy]

You're assuming because you find something a gimmick that others will too. Nearly all of the above I use, regularly. None of them are deal-breakers though to be fair, but they are useful to have.

DeX is massively underestimated.

Dex is massively underestimated for a reason, as imo, it provides narrow functionality. For me the use case of having a monitor, keyboard and mouse, is only in my home office, and I would rather use windows, not some watered down version.

Now what I would like to see on idevices is the ability to connect my iphone to my three monitors in my home office, keyboard and mouse. That would be a great feature.

 

[I7guy]

Everything are gimmicks until apple get it then its great ...that's always been the flawed logic by many apple fans. Just because apple don't have it it's downplayed

There is an element of truth to the flawed logic.

Spilt screen is great no matter what size. You don't know when its useful. Pop up windows is even better...real multitasking

I would like to see some of the features of ipados on ios.

While dex is more useful on tablets it still has a use case

My opinion very narrow use case.

 

[MacRS4]

Now what I would like to see on idevices is the ability to connect my iphone to my three monitors in my home office, keyboard and mouse. That would be a great feature.

So it's a great feature if the iPhone has it but if another manufacturer does it's a very narrow use case? DeX works with our USB docks with dual-screens, and works fine with a keyboard & mouse connected to those docks.

 

[I7guy]

So it's a great feature if the iPhone has it but if another manufacturer does it's a very narrow use case? DeX works with our USB docks with dual-screens, and works fine with a keyboard & mouse connected to those docks.

Yes, because the way Dex was presented is a windows like experience that seems to have a lot of gotchas and compromises (maybe some of those have been eliminated). What I want is to run ios on multiple monitors (three to be exact; to be four soon, as my video card supports 4 monitors)...don't know if exactly it's the same. I can connect a monitor through a lighting to hdmi cable though. (the wireless portion is nice, but an adapter is needed and don't think Dex can be used across multiple monitors)

 

[MacRS4]

Lol OK. So Apple does something ace, another manufacturer no, it's dull and limited use case. Gotya. At least you're honest about it I suppose!

Works fine on my dual screen units on my desk - lenovo something or other USB-C docks.

 

[MacRS4]

As a side note , I'm actually using it right now:

 

[The Game 161]

As a side note, I'm actually using it right now:

This is why I enjoy dex on my tab s7 plus just great to have those options when hours want to do several things at once

 

[Mrjoedot]

Dex and Pen are even that cool. barely seen or hear anyone talk about it

 

[MacRS4]

Ha, well, I only found it by accident after plugging my phone in to our docks to charge it! I was all WTF is this.

 

[aerismail]

I doubt apple would make a dex like for iphone

 

[AlexESP]

What exactly are you talking about? Apple already implemented split screen multitasking on iPad years ago. iPads also run iOS.
Also how is split screen multitasking inconsistent on Android? You sound like you never used actually it.


About DEX you are again wrong and you clearly don't understand it's use case.
Samsung has been continuously improving DEX, so saying there's not a deep work behind it is quite disingenuous.


Actually they are all fine so including DEX and split screen multitasking.

It’s a much broader discussion, about how Android and iOS manage viewports. It’s always like Android solutions are ad-hoc, while iOS has a consistent structure and adaptability, and that causes big problems with 3rd party apps. I mean, apps bellow API 24 are automatically forced to be resized, whether they’re optimised or not. There are many practical problems with split-screen on a tiny screen, such as the bottom going up to enter text and leave a ridiculous field to see possible results, using the keyboard in landscape, how to easily implement it combined with the home screen gesture (just see what a mess it’s on Samsung phones). I think things should be implemented when the worst-case scenario is good enough.

About DEX, the’ve surely improved it, but it feels as always with Samsung, Google, Microsoft, etc. They try to rushly implement ideas without a deep work about how it interacts with the rest of the system, side-effects, if the experience is good enough to be implemented, etc. And without taking real risks, so they never make a great impact and real advance. Fortunately there are many companies that focus on adding features, but I don’t want Apple to become that. I know I’m being really abstract, but just two specific examples:

- There aren’t many cases when you can find a screen with the correct cables + keyboard + mouse without a computer already attached that gives a much better experience than DEX, what can we do? Go ahead, give the option anyway.

- What happens with apps with specific touch controls that can’t be replicated with a mouse? Workaround, not addressing the foundation problem.

Apple also make errors, but they address problems and create concepts from the root (see Catalyst).

 

[Thrutheroofnunderground]

How about some non-grainy (more than 2x or alleged iphone 12 3x) zoom?

 

[mi7chy]

I'm not sure what the difference is with DEX compared with Continuity, Handoff and being able to plug your iPhone or iPad into a monitor with an HDMI cable. I set up a friend that way; he didn't have a computer so I got him a Bluetooth keyboard. His iPhone acted as his mouse. The iPhone was connected to an HDMI screen in landscape mode, and he was able to use it very much like a standard computer.

Difference is you get a blown up iPhone home screen on external monitor vs a properly scaled desktop home screen with DeX.

One way Apple can one up Samsung is offer an iPhone Note with DeX that presents MacOS on ARM desktop when connected to external monitor.

 

[jayducharme]

One way Apple can one up Samsung is offer an iPhone Note with DeX that presents MacOS on ARM desktop when connected to external monitor.

Once the Arm Macs are out, that would probably be a logical next step for Apple.

 

[M3gatron]

It’s always like Android solutions are ad-hoc, while iOS has a consistent structure and adaptability,

Well you have false impressions. There's nothing Apple could do do improve split screen multitasking on smartphones because there's nothing really wrong with how it's implemented on Android phones.You are just trying to make up problem where there aren't any.

About DEX, the’ve surely improved it, but it feels as always with Samsung, Google, Microsoft, etc. They try to rushly implement ideas without a deep work about how it interacts with the rest of the system, side-effects, if the experience is good enough to be implemented, etc. And without taking real risks, so they never make a great impact and real advance. Fortunately there are many companies that focus on adding features, but I don’t want Apple to become that. I know I’m being really abstract, but just two specific examples:

Oh give me a break with these baseless rants. Samsung didn't rush anything, they've been improving DEX for years being the only smartphone manufacturer to offer a usable and useful desktop mode when their smartphones are connected to a monitor.
There are many users here that already gave their insightful experience and examples of DEX use cases.
So the accusations thta Samsung didn't do any "deep work"(whatever thta means) are just hollow.

- There aren’t many cases when you can find a screen with the correct cables + keyboard + mouse without a computer already attached that gives a much better experience than DEX, what can we do? Go ahead, give the option anyway.

- What happens with apps with specific touch controls that can’t be replicated with a mouse? Workaround, not addressing the foundation problem.

You don't need to find "a screen with the correct cable, keyboard and mouse" or whatever.
DEX works with any screen with an HDMI port, which is any screen these days and for the keyboard and mouse there are many portable even pocketable solutions. The phone can also be used in a doc station setup like a lot of people use their laptops for example (by your logic thta would also be a problem).
At the end of the day DEX is just an app that allows users to take extra advantage of their phone's hardware and there's no harm in it at all.
And a mouse can easily replicate most touch controls. Apps can be built to support features like DEX and a lot of those that aren't can be automatically adapted to work. You will never be able to get full support for a an OS feature the same way apple didn't get much support for 3D touch the same way it won't get full support for their shiny new home screen widgets. I don't see what's the huge problem with that.

Apple also make errors, but they address problems and create concepts from the root (see Catalyst).

Everybody makes errors and address them not just the mighty Apple.

 

[AppleAlexander]

Well as long as they don’t adopt the Samsung feature where your phone spontaneously bursts into flames, that will be fine thanks

 

[The Game 161]

Well as long as they don’t adopt the Samsung feature where your phone spontaneously bursts into flames, that will be fine thanks

You mean 4 years ago? get a new joke....

Believe it or not iPhones have blown up too you know...

 

[Abazigal]

Wireless PowerShare - I don’t see how it is a great experience to place your phone upside-down on a surface to charge your AirPods or watch, which means that during this time, you can’t use any of them, and given the rate of charging, you are going to have to leave them alone for quite a period of time.

Will it even work through a case?

Dex - sounds cool on paper, but feels impractical given how you need an external monitor, dock, keyboard and mouse. Most people are probably better off just docking their laptop or just using their laptop as is, which in turn frees up their phone as well.

This pretty much sums up my view of Samsung products. Too much focus on specs, and not enough emphasis on the end user experience.

 

[I7guy]

Well you have false impressions. There's nothing Apple could do do improve split screen multitasking on smartphones because there's nothing really wrong with how it's implemented on Android phones.You are just trying to make up problem where there aren't any.



Oh give me a break with these baseless rants. Samsung didn't rush anything, they've been improving DEX for years being the only smartphone manufacturer to offer a usable and useful desktop mode when their smartphones are connected to a monitor.
There are many users here that already gave their insightful experience and examples of DEX use cases.
So the accusations thta Samsung didn't do any "deep work"(whatever thta means) are just hollow.



You don't need to find "a screen with the correct cable, keyboard and mouse" or whatever.
DEX works with any screen with an HDMI port, which is any screen these days and for the keyboard and mouse there are many portable even pocketable solutions. The phone can also be used in a doc station setup like a lot of people use their laptops for example (by your logic thta would also be a problem).
At the end of the day DEX is just an app that allows users to take extra advantage of their phone's hardware and there's no harm in it at all.
And a mouse can easily replicate most touch controls. Apps can be built to support features like DEX and a lot of those that aren't can be automatically adapted to work. You will never be able to get full support for a an OS feature the same way apple didn't get much support for 3D touch the same way it won't get full support for their shiny new home screen widgets. I don't see what's the huge problem with that.


Everybody makes errors and address them not just the mighty Apple.

Dex in my opinion, is still a half-baked solution, looking for some problem to solve. I suppose a half-baked solution is better than no solution. However, if I carry around my surface pro, I don't have to look for a monitor and keyboard to have a windows environment and can tether my surface pro to my phone, providing a fully robust environment.

I do suppose it's an option for those who have a spare monitor, keyboard and mouse laying around.

 

[MacRS4]

Wireless PowerShare - I don’t see how it is a great experience to place your phone upside-down on a surface to charge your AirPods or watch, which means that during this time, you can’t use any of them, and given the rate of charging, you are going to have to leave them alone for quite a period of time.

Will it even work through a case?

Dex - sounds cool on paper, but feels impractical given how you need an external monitor, dock, keyboard and mouse. Most people are probably better off just docking their laptop or just using their laptop as is, which in turn frees up their phone as well.

This pretty much sums up my view of Samsung products. Too much focus on specs, and not enough emphasis on the end user experience.

Charging works just fine - it's a handy get-out-of-flat-battery thing, can't say I use it regularly but the couple of times I have it's been invaluable.

Ref Dex - I use it a lot. If you want to use it you don't really need all those things. It starts much like Apple Airplay - just project to a screen. Then if you want to you can add a keyboard/mouse etc. Like I say, I find myself just plugging it in to our docks and using it, instead of pulling out my annoying work Lenovo. All I need is access to my secure work email that I can't get on my MBP, and RDP. YMMV of course. It feels no different to using any other Linux type shell'd machine.

I find it interesting people putting down user experience when they don't tend to have experience of that experience tbh! I'm not saying you specifically here (so don't shout!), but people here are very quick to put down other manufacturer's stuff without even using it.

As I think I've said elsewhere in this thread, I find it hard to get interested in phones as they're all pretty much the same in what they do. Once I'm in the app I want then I don't really care what I'm using. I've got a drawer full of stuff in the office everything from Pixels and iPhones from about the 6 upward, and I have a personal 11 Pro Max (well, personal as it's 'my' work phone), and yet my sim now seems to spend most of its time in the 20 Note, and previously to that the S20 Ultra. Why...? Well, mainly the screen - it is a lot better than the 11. Going from 120Hz to 60Hz may not bother many, but I find it almost jarringly obvious.

Dunno. Give it a month I'll probably be back in the iPhone camp with the new ones!

A bit more on the DeX - I'm sure Apple will be heading this way with ARM. They'll be running the same chipsets on the phones and the laptops. Imagine just being able to plug your iPhone in and getting a MacOS type desktop. That's pretty much what DeX feels like today - I'd hope Apple can put some shine on that though.

 

[MacRS4]

Dex in my opinion, is still a half-baked solution, looking for some problem to solve. I suppose a half-baked solution is better than no solution. However, if I carry around my surface pro, I don't have to look for a monitor and keyboard to have a windows environment and can tether my surface pro to my phone, providing a fully robust environment.

I do suppose it's an option for those who have a spare monitor, keyboard and mouse laying around.

My personal usage of this isn't like that at all. Imagine being out and about and not wanting to carry stuff around - I'll still have my phone with me. I'm at a mate's house - I want to make him endure a YouTube video so I project it to his telly much like AirPlay (but it works on many, many more smartTVs).

Or like I've said above, I'm in the office, I don't really want to use my crappy work Lenovo so I just plug my phone in to the dock instead of the Lenovo. Job done.

I don't think it' intended to solve the 'carrying a laptop around' thing. If you've a decent laptop with you why wouldn't you use that...? If I'm at work I'll often have my MBP out on the desk - and I can't plug that in to corp or get our secure email on it - and my phone plugged into the dock because I can connect to corp and get my secure email on it.

It's like any piece of tech really. Some may love it, others may think it's trash and there's no point.

I'm sure though once Apple does it when you can plug in to a dock and get a MacOS desktop it'll be the 'Best Thing Ever'.

 

[I7guy]

My personal usage of this isn't like that at all. Imagine being out and about and not wanting to carry stuff around - I'll still have my phone with me. I'm at a mate's house - I want to make him endure a YouTube video so I project it to his telly much like AirPlay (but it works on many, many more smartTVs).

I didn't say Dex was "useless". However, I can project youtube videos on my Samsung TV as well using my iphone. And in my own opinion, it's a very narrow usage.

Or like I've said above, I'm in the office, I don't really want to use my crappy work Lenovo so I just plug my phone in to the dock instead of the Lenovo. Job done.

We're still shelter-in-place here, and I haven't been to my "desk" in 6 months, but my corporate workstation has three monitors. All laptop temp workstations have docking stations with two monitors.

I don't think it' intended to solve the 'carrying a laptop around' thing. If you've a decent laptop with you why wouldn't you use that...? If I'm at work I'll often have my MBP out on the desk - and I can't plug that in to corp or get our secure email on it - and my phone plugged into the dock because I can connect to corp and get my secure email on it.

Due to security provisions mobile platforms cannot connect to internal ip addresses, so what you describe won't work and further with three monitors don't need to connect up like you describe.

It's like any piece of tech really. Some may love it, others may think it's trash and there's no point.

I'm sure though once Apple does it when you can plug in to a dock and get a MacOS desktop it'll be the 'Best Thing Ever'.

I don't disagree with what you said, that some may find it useful some won't.

 

[MacRS4]

Our docks have dual monitors. Works just fine. Our work phones are cert-auth'd on to the network. Sounds like you won't have a use for Apple version when that makes it out of the blocks too.