The Samsung Galaxy S9 might launch with a Dex Pad dock
When Samsung launched the Galaxy S8 and S8+ last year, they also released the rather unusual DeX station dock. It resembled a chunky hockey puck that allowed S8, S8+ and Note8 users to access a desktop interface. Now, it seems that they’re preparing a successor to the DeX dock for the Galaxy S9 and S9+ dubbed the Dex Pad.
The original DeX Dock grants the Galaxy S8 and S8+ a desktop interface in conjunction with a mouse and keyboard
While the brand is usually tight lipped on the launch of any upcoming device, some keen-eyed observers over at Galaxy Club spotted a trademark application on the designation ‘Dex Pad’ at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) online database last month that gives tantalising glimpses as to what may just accompany the S9 and S9+ on its upcoming launch this 25 February.
Based on the application, the Dex Pad will possess the following characteristics: “Application software for projecting the screen of mobile device to displays via computer peripheral devices and wireless networks; Computer peripheral devices; Computer software for wireless network communications; Computer software for controlling user interface mode adaption; Computer software for use in computer access control.”. You can peruse the fine print here.
Deciphering the legalese implies a device that is functionally similar to the original DeX dock albeit in a different from factor seeing its designation as the ‘DeX Pad’. To wit, it’s most likely going to be a flat-shaped dock that will leverage the wireless charging capabilities of the S9 and S9+. How it will achieve the connectivity to access the desktop interface whether it’s through wired or wireless means remains unclear. To date, there are no images or renders of the DeX Pad so it’s anyone’s guess what it looks like at this point in time.
Rumours speculate that the phone’s touchscreen will be usable as a touchpad which nixes the need for a mouse. This leaves a monitor and a keyboard as the final parts to complete the DeX Pad as a fully functional productivity platform. Whether it’s reverse compatible with the Galaxy S8, S8+ and Note8 or if the original DeX dock is forward compatible with the S9 and S9+ is also still open to speculation. In any case, all will be revealed at the anticipated Unpacked event later this month.
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