Jide, a Chinese startup has come up with Remix OS, an operating system that turns your smartphone into a PC or pocket tablet
Imagine turning any Android smartphone into a PC. All you need to do is connect it to a keyboard, a mouse and a monitor. That’s the work being done by a Beijing-based startup, Jide Technologies. It has announced a new version of its Android-based operating system, Remix OS.
In practice, this is the same work already done by Microsoft with Windows Continuum for its Windows Phone. Only that Jide Technologies’ project is based on Android devices. The feature will be called Remix and is expected to be released by the second half of 2017. To The Verge, Jide co-founder David Ko explained the concept behind the work, “Imagine working from your smartphone on a daily basis, once you get to work it’s likely that some of the tasks you do can’t be transferred to your PC. Instead, this way it will be like having a portable, pocket-sized version of our computer at all times.” Jide has been working on the project for about three years.
How it works
On the PC, we’ll display every aspect according to the Android interface. So we’ll have moving windows, start menu and shortcuts. In addition to the classic taskbar. We’ll be able to use every app on our smartphone on the PC, from Clash of Clans to Microsoft Word and Google Docs. Although these are visible in a manner more reminiscent of Windows than Android. Alternatively, you can connect your smartphone directly to the display and use it as an Android TV.
Why use it?
Some might ask why use this system. In many companies these days, work can’t be relegated to a simple desktop, and there is a need for continuity in the use of devices. It’s no coincidence that several companies have been trying to create similar systems over time. Canonical some time ago tried with convergence for Ubuntu. Asus, at the time of Android Ice Cream Sandwich created its line of PadFone. And as we said, Microsoft has also been moving in this direction lately. Remix OS will have a big advantage over all the others. It’s totally free and it will be able to give access to all of the applications found on Android. According to David Ko this system will increase the productivity of companies, so much so that he imagines that soon the offices will no longer have fixed computers but simple monitors. The worker will be able to directly connect the smartphone and resume working thanks to the Jide operating system.
Not lacking doubts
According to experts, however, this new Jide operating system could have difficulties in development, especially in countries with more advanced technology. The various cloud services for sharing in working environments seem more effective than the system devised by the Chinese startup. The fundamental step then will be to make smartphones with Remix OS already on board and sell them on a large scale. And Davide Ko in this sense has stated that he already has several contacts with many Chinese manufacturers in the sector. In addition, the operating system could also be installed by the user, but in this case it would be necessary to use the Google Play Store. An aspect that requires specific knowledge that could restrict the market making the launch of the operating system complicated.