The Samsung Galaxy S8 promises to bring quite a few novel concepts to the world of premium smartphones, but if a new report is anything to go by, the device might just be one of the first mainstream Android smartphones to offer a near full-fledged PC-like experience, much like what Microsoft is expected to bring with its ‘Continuum’ feature under Windows 10 Mobile. The report regarding the purported new feature on Samsung’s upcoming flagship is apparently based on a leaked presentation slide that seems to show a smartphone, ostensibly the Galaxy S8, hooked up to an external monitor via a cable of some description. What’s interesting is the header that says ‘Samsung Desktop Experience: Next Mobile Workspace’ in a bold typeface.
While this is the first time we’re hearing about this new feature in a Samsung smartphone, Microsoft’s Continuum was introduced on Windows 10 Technical Preview builds for the first time last year, and allows supported devices to connect to external displays for a proper desktop experience with support for keyboards and mice that can be connected either via USB or Bluetooth. As for the leaked Galaxy S8 slide, the terminal seems to show support for multiple windows, which would certainly be a blessing on a large external display. What’s interesting is that there also seems to be a wireless keyboard and mouse in the image, meaning, if implemented properly, this could very well aid productivity the way no other mobile workspace solution has been able to, until now.
Of course, the Galaxy S8 will reportedly be unveiled in NYC this April, so there’s still a bit of time between now and then. We’ll hopefully hear a bit more on this topic in the coming weeks, but Samsung, it seems, is trying its level best to make sure it packs its next flagship with as many goodies as it possibly can, given that a lot depends on this particular device following the Galaxy Note 7 debacle. From what has been suggested so far, the Galaxy S8 will be quite a powerhouse from the hardware point of view, but with its software now also expected to come with surprising new features, it may very well be one of the smartphones to watch out for in the coming months.