The evolution of Android as an operating system continues unabated. Although until recently it was understood as an exclusive platform for mobile phones and tablets, Google's latest moves point to a profound changes in its conceptionOne of the most significant is its new approach to the desktop, with Android gaining features that bring it closer to the performance and functionality of a conventional PC system.
This turn is based on a key tool: the Debian-based Linux terminal, which allows you to run graphical desktop software within Android, taking advantage of virtualization. As Android Authority reports, this capability is not only part of the test channel, but can already be experienced on advanced devices like the Pixel 8 Pro.
Linux apps now available on Android
Thanks to the new Android Linux environment, it has already been possible to run graphical applications such as GIMP, LibreOffice or even Chromium directly from your phone, simulating a PC experience. All of this is possible through a virtual machine integrated into the system, which loads a full version of Debian.
The process begins in the Terminal app, where the display of windows is enabled and a full graphical desktop is renderedAlthough performance still falls short of that of a native desktop operating system—especially in demanding benchmarks—the technical advancement is clear. Currently, even games like the classic Doom can be run.
Of course, to take full advantage of these capabilities it is necessary to perform some manual actions, how to activate graphics acceleration by creating a specific file within the device's internal memory.
DeX disappears: Samsung joins the push for native Android
One of the most visible consequences of this transition is the decision of Samsung to abandon the classic DeX interface, its own desktop environment developed over years for its Galaxy. As revealed, One UI 8 will abandon this custom solution to make way for the Android 16 desktop mode.
This means the disappearance of advanced features that were hallmarks of DeX: Free window resizing, full taskbar, HDMI sound and more. Instead, users will receive a less customizable environment, but one that's more integrated with Google's overall vision.
Samsung explains that maintaining a parallel system represented an unnecessary development burden, especially when Google is already working on an alternative that aims to replace both DeX and Chrome OS on certain devices.
A new portable development platform
One of the ultimate goals of this transformation is to turn Android into a system suitable for the application development from the terminal itself, without the need for an external computer. The idea is to allow smartphones and tablets to act as complete development machines.
However, some technical challenges remain. For example, Android Studio is designed for x86 architectures, while most Android devices run on ARM processors. While Android Studio has already been able to run on Chrome OS using virtualization techniques, its native operation on ARM is still in the preliminary stages.
If achieved, the Android ecosystem would take a step forward in portability and self-sufficiency, allowing developers to work from anywhere without sacrificing professional tools.
A unification strategy with Chrome OS
This movement is part of Google's strategic plan to merge Android and Chrome OS into a single platformAccording to Sameer Samat, president of the Android ecosystem, the goal is to simplify the user experience, reduce the maintenance burden of two separate systems, and create a consistent environment for all screens.
While Chrome OS already allowed you to run Linux apps, Android is now taking that approach, integrating virtualization, support for external displays, and a functional desktop mode. This blurs the gap between mobile and laptop devices. promoting the continuity of the experience.
This change also responds to market logic: with mobile phones surpassing many laptops in power and offering constant connectivity, Android is positioned as the natural candidate to become a hybrid and universal operating system.
Community Controversies: The Termux Case
However, it hasn't all been applause. Some in the community have expressed their displeasure at the fact that Google is now promoting an official Linux terminal when in the past voluntarily limited applications such as Termux, which offered similar functionalities.
For years, Termux was the go-to tool for advanced users who wanted to run scripts, program, or install Linux utilities using commands. But following changes to Android's storage management (e.g., 'Scoped Storage'), its functionality was severely reduced.
This forced the developers of Termux to leave the Play Store and distribute their app only on F-Droid. For some users, this is a strategy of “adopt, extend, extinguish”Google sees what works, replicates it with its own resources, and then eliminates the competition.
In any case, the arrival of the new desktop mode in Android is arousing enthusiasm among those who see in this movement the possibility of having with a workstation in your pocket, connecting the mobile to a screen and using the mouse and keyboard as on a conventional PC.
Meanwhile, features like running Linux apps remain in the experimental phase, available only through channels like Android Canary. Still, it's clear that both Google and manufacturers like Samsung are aligning toward a future vision where Android will no longer be just a mobile system and will also occupy the desk.
