Dex without dock - Samsung Galaxy S8 Questions and Answers

Is it possible to use dex without the official dock. For instance I already have (Samsung Multiport Adapter (EE-PW700BWEGUJ)) this dock for the Samsung windows tablet.

I hope it does so we dont have to spend $150 on top of spending $850 for the phone.

Very doubtful

I have a suspicion that DeX is just a much-upgraded version of SideSync. It required an application on your PC to show your phone screen in a window. So my best guess is that DeX dock acts as a client app, like SideSync on your desktop was. So, if that's truly the case, I doubt DeX will work with multi-port adapter.

Meanee said:
I have a suspicion that DeX is just a much-upgraded version of SideSync. It required an application on your PC to show your phone screen in a window.(...)
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Dex doesn't require a PC . You have to connect it directly to display and input devices such a mouse or keyboard. So you are using it instead of PC.
In my opinion this is just a HDMI adapter with separate USB hub, network socket, and cooler. I maybe wrong, but if im right it should be very easy to connect it in PC mode without Dex or with cheap replacement.

davkpl said:
Dex doesn't require a PC . You have to connect it directly to display and input devices such a mouse or keyboard. So you are using it instead of PC.
In my opinion this is just a HDMI adapter with separate USB hub, network socket, and cooler. I maybe wrong, but if im right it should be very easy to connect it in PC mode without Dex or with cheap replacement.
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This was exactly the point I was trying to make. SideSync required an app on your PC. DeX' idea of replacing your PC will probably require a similar "app" to run on the dock, in order to force a full desktop.
If S8 does support video out through USB-C port, it may be just a simple screen mirroring. Or, who knows, you may get full DeX experience!

maxfridbe said:
Is it possible to use dex without the official dock. For instance I already have (Samsung Multiport Adapter (EE-PW700BWEGUJ)) this dock for the Samsung windows tablet.
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Could this app be an option/solution?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.andromium.os
Should work with Chromecast (30 €)
Enviado desde mi SM-G930F mediante Tapatalk

Im sure once we have custom firmwares and so, someone will make it mock dock able and then all we have to do is cast the screen or usb type c to hdmi?

I'm also wondering this. Samsung Sells a USB-C to HDMI adapter for this phone.

I want to get one and try with something called a Pi Top to build the dex into that. So we could have a dex laptop.

maxfridbe said:
Is it possible to use dex without the official dock. For instance I already have (Samsung Multiport Adapter (EE-PW700BWEGUJ)) this dock for the Samsung windows tablet.
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I hope so. the phone puts out displayport over usbc, but the dock dumbs it down to hdmi which IMO was a dumb thing to do. They should have passed through the displayport over usb signal instead. Far more flexible.

Well I just bought a USB-C to HDMI with charging port and USB port, I will try it out once TMO ships my phone.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IUXA9YK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's probably going to be a simple part/resistor/chip that lets the phone recognise the dock, will probably see clones and alternative solutions on eBay soon enough.
Can't see the dock serving any actual function that stops you from launching Dex without it.
I could be wrong.

Skander1998 said:
It's probably going to be a simple part/resistor/chip that lets the phone recognise the dock, will probably see clones and alternative solutions on eBay soon enough.
Can't see the dock serving any actual function that stops you from launching Dex without it.
I could be wrong.
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Certainly could be some encrypted key or something that makes it more difficult to emulate. Part of the cost of the Dex unit might be for the development of the software for it, even if it is included in every S8.. you need the Dex to unlock it.

So the Galaxy S8 does support USB C HDMI TV out via any HDMI adapter as I have tried.
However, it just mirrors the screen and the DeX experience is no where to be found without actually using the DeX dock!

I can confirm @khurram87 I get the same, screen mirror and no Dex.

Yep tried it with my Samsung hdmi + usb to usbc adapter. Just Hub and Video Out.... LAME.

I plugged my phone into one of these. No desktop.
I am assuming the Dex dock has some firmware which installs on the phone when docked. Someone with a rooted Exynos S8 may be able to pull those files and create an application which would launch into Dex-mode.

Manufacturers just can't seem to resist the urge to take a standard interface and stick some proprietary something on there to restrict your options.
A few years ago it was chargers (standard mini/micro USB charger, but device refused to charge in anything but that manufacturers approved chargers) - both for phones and even PS3 controllers.
Now it seems to be HDMI adapters/docks. The S8 apparently requires the DeX dock to enter desktop mode, despite that dock being nothing more than a standard USB-C dock beneath the surface., though at least HDMI output without the DeX software still works with it. The Nintendo Switch in comparison only allows HDMI output with the official dock.
I hope somebody comes out with a third-party adapter that works with both . . .one travel adapter to let me play the Switch on the big screen, or use my phone as a pseudo-laptop would be a must-have travel accessory compared to the over-priced single-purpose official docks.

^this!

Related

Smart Dock + Tethering?

Has anyone found a way to tether through one of the Smart Dock USB ports? I'm interested in using the data from my phone but don't want to use the Hotspot function (don't want to root or pay for HotSpot so I wanna use tethering).
This Smart Dock was alot more finnicky that I had thought. For those having trouble, for me at least, HDMI and anything you're connecting via USB have to be plugged into the dock before you dock your phone to get anything to work. I also have to plug in the HDMI to get the USB ports to work which doesn't make sense to me but what do I know. I was surprised the dock doesn't have the full Micro B connector which I thought was necessary to have MHL and USBOTG at the same. If that's not the case, I'm not sure I understand what the extra pins are for on the Micro-B plug. My screen also automatically shuts off when I dock with HDMI, not sure if that's a "feature" or not.
Carsyn said:
Has anyone found a way to tether through one of the Smart Dock USB ports? I'm interested in using the data from my phone but don't want to use the Hotspot function (don't want to root or pay for HotSpot so I wanna use tethering).
This Smart Dock was alot more finnicky that I had thought. For those having trouble, for me at least, HDMI and anything you're connecting via USB have to be plugged into the dock before you dock your phone to get anything to work. I also have to plug in the HDMI to get the USB ports to work which doesn't make sense to me but what do I know. I was surprised the dock doesn't have the full Micro B connector which I thought was necessary to have MHL and USBOTG at the same. If that's not the case, I'm not sure I understand what the extra pins are for on the Micro-B plug. My screen also automatically shuts off when I dock with HDMI, not sure if that's a "feature" or not.
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Maybe it's my model number. I got the EDD-S20EWE. I notice the current one is S20JWE. Or maybe the $60 sale on Amazon got me a knock-off. In any case, there's no way in heck I could recommend this thing to anyone. Too finnicky. One of those gadgets you gotta hold your tongue right to make it work like its supposed to. It works when it wants to for me. I'm driving myself crazy unplugging and plugging stuff back in and restarting things to make it work.
If you want a desktop experience like me, instead of this thing, I'd recommend Screen Mirroring, bluetoothing to keyboard/mouse, and either tethering your data if need that like me, or adding the USB Connector dongle for any other USB items you need. Much less headache from my experience. YMMV.

[Q] Hook up Multiple USB devices

Hi all,
I've just ordered this gorgeous phone and am waiting for it to be delivered. In the meantime I've been wondering given that it's capable of HDMI output and serve as USB host whether it is possible of it doing both at the same time, if say I hooked up the HDMI output along with other usb devices, like a USB drive and a keyboard via a usb HUB. I would be practically creating a bespoke docking station of sorts..
I know it's pushing the technology a little... and there are other alternatives to USB devices (NAS drives, wireless mouse/keyboards...), but my question is more about what the device is capable of.
Thanks.
Update:
So far I've successfully managed to plug in an old USB hub via a cheap micro-usb to USB adapter bought off e-bay. From there I hooked up a USB keyboard, Mouse, pen drive and also USB speakers.
I'm amazed it actually managed to power all of these devices without any problems (imagine battery drain is massive given that the usb hub is unpowered).
I would like to know if anyone has tried hooking up HDMI output while the USB is hosting other devices. Has anyone tried this already? I've searched everywhere and can't seem to find a definitive answer to my question.
As a side note, does anyone know of a docking station for the G2, similar to what you get with laptops?
Did you figure out the answer to this?
AlexOB1 said:
Did you figure out the answer to this?
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No, I have not yet tried this out. I had bought an HDMI cable/device thing but never got it to work on my TV.. apparently it had something to do with the technology that the phone uses for HDMI not being compatible with older Samsung TVs.
Would be great if anyone else has tried this out could post here, whatever the outcome

DeX and regular USB-C hubs

This seems like a no-brainer, but at the moment it seems that (1) DeX only launches when S8 is plugged into the DeX and (2) usb C hubs actually work quite nicely with the s8, providing power, a working USB port (as far as android compatibility goes) and a working HDMI connection.
Is there anyone working on a way to bypass this limitation so that one could force DeX mode with any display connected either by launching the app regardless of the connected dock verifications, or by simulating DeX connection when an external screen is connected?
I was just thinking about this too
most likely it's not just working as a hub, though, and there's a module in dex that the s8 is communicating with to launch the service
similar to how the gear vr connection works
it would be insane if samsung were to have left it easy to exploit the software in the phone to work with any usb c hub
still, crazier things have happened on xda

Can I use "regular" USB-C -> HDMI cable instead of DEXpad? Which one?

Hi guys, is there a way to mirror the phone's screen to other display (let it be a monitor or TV) using USB-C->HDMI cable? Does it matter what cable to buy? Can you recommend one? Are there any caveats to this? Do I need to set the phone somehow or install some app?
Thanks a lot
It will just work from my experience...
I've also bought this thing: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078X9N26D/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It works as dex station if connected to power supply and as hdmi if not.
The only bug for this is that it slowly discharges your phone even if it's connected to power...
it works, you don't need a Dex pad anymore.
I believe any usb c to HDMI will work, but I would recommend using a wireless charger with it.
Probably better off just getting the dex station cause either way you go it would be the same amount of money cause I wouldn't recommend going cheap
I know it's ridiculous to ask; but would a NIntendo Switch Dock actually work? Considering it's similar, and the board can be taken to a Very small case, essentially, a mini dock
miksa said:
Hi guys, is there a way to mirror the phone's screen to other display (let it be a monitor or TV) using USB-C->HDMI cable? Does it matter what cable to buy? Can you recommend one? Are there any caveats to this? Do I need to set the phone somehow or install some app?
Thanks a lot
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In Android Q beta, you can get DEX by using your regular USB cable with the PC

OTG cable for Fire HD 8 that DOES support charging ?

I got a Fire HD 8 tablet with Carplaylink to get Apple CarPlay working in an old car I use. I need a USB OTG cable that DOES support charging an Android tablet.
I did a 20-30 minute search myself and all the USB OTG cables I’ve seen openly stated that charging for Android tablets and phones are not supported.
Any suggestions ?
ahmadka said:
I got a Fire HD 8 tablet with Carplaylink to get Apple CarPlay working in an old car I use. I need a USB OTG cable that DOES support charging an Android tablet.
I did a 20-30 minute search myself and all the USB OTG cables I’ve seen openly stated that charging for Android tablets and phones are not supported.
Any suggestions ?
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Click to collapse
Can you use an USB-OTG while charging. Can you find a charging contact point with VCHG, open your Fire tablet, find VCHG contact point and measure the VCHG contact point using the voltmeter.
The USB-OTG with microUSB port input can be used for Fire TV Stick.
I had one cable that did exactly this a few years ago and I for the life of me don't know what happened to it. now when it comes to OTG you should just have a separate piece of the cable splitting off that you would plug into the wall yeah and the rest of the wiring would make its way where it needs to. now here's where the tricky part comes in terms of whether a device supports charging through USB OTG. I know the fire tablets support this because you may not be using adb or OTG for any particular reason, and your tablet will charge whatever it is plugged into with that cable. If the OTG cable is built properly then theoretically it should charge your tablet as well. But really good and decent cables are hard to come by, that aren't really expensive. however when it comes to something like this I would stay closer to a name brand because you can get ripped off pretty easily even if you read the fine print and find out that it doesn't do what it says. There are no real big laws or regulations behind the cheap charger and wire industry, so you pretty much get what you pay for. It's just a matter of finding the right one.

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