The Synaptics booth at CES 2025 showcased the future of mobile computing with their innovative DisplayLink Pro technology. Andy Davis, Director of Corporate Marketing, demonstrated how the Google Pixel 9, connected to a DisplayLink dock, transforms into a full desktop computing environment. This approach eliminates the need for separate PCs or laptops, streamlining productivity by leveraging the phone’s existing computational power. The technology uses an AOSP-modified Android OS to support dual external displays, delivering a seamless, PC-like user experience with full desktop features such as multitasking, keyboard, and mouse support.
The modified OS optimizes communication between the Pixel 9 and Synaptics’ DisplayLink Pro 7000 series chipset, enabling dual independent screen outputs. While many smartphones offer limited external display capabilities, such as single or mirrored screens, this solution offers a true multi-display environment, addressing enterprise needs for a versatile, compact computing alternative. Synaptics envisions phone vendors incorporating this feature into their ecosystems or partnering with Google to make this functionality widely available across devices.
Beyond hardware, Synaptics sees potential in expanding desktop-optimized applications for Android. Currently, many enterprise tools function through browsers, naturally scaling to larger screens, but dedicated desktop apps could enhance the usability and productivity of this setup. The inclusion of remote desktop protocols, like RDP, could bring access to full Windows or Linux environments, further bridging the gap between traditional PCs and mobile devices.
The dock not only provides data and display connectivity but also powers the phone, maintaining its portability. Synaptics demonstrated how docking solutions can include wireless charging for added convenience. They also highlighted the possibility of integrating wireless docking, further streamlining the user experience. The USB-C standard has played a critical role in enabling this technology by providing consistent power and data transfer capabilities across devices.
Synaptics noted that while some brands, like Samsung and Huawei, have explored desktop modes, these implementations often fall short of providing a multi-display environment with independent desktop screens. The DisplayLink Pro solution significantly advances this concept, making it viable even for mid-range phones, democratizing access to high-performance desktop environments without the need for specialized hardware.
Enterprise users stand to benefit the most from this technology. By consolidating computing needs into a single mobile device, businesses can reduce the cost and complexity of managing separate phones and PCs for employees. This integration not only lowers hardware expenses but simplifies data management and security protocols, creating a more efficient workflow for organizations.
Synaptics plans to collaborate with major phone manufacturers and Google to bring this technology to market. The progress of USB-C adoption and advancements in smartphone processing power have addressed many challenges that previously limited such solutions. Synaptics’ DisplayLink Pro technology is poised to redefine mobile productivity by making the smartphone the central hub for personal and professional computing.
With this innovation, the dream of reducing the number of devices we carry is becoming a reality. By tapping into the underutilized potential of ARM processors in modern smartphones, Synaptics envisions a future where a single phone serves as the core of all computing needs, offering both convenience and productivity.
Description by Chatgpt.
My full video coverage from #CES2025 in Las Vegas USA is sponsored by Synaptics, check out all my Synaptics videos here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7xXqJFxvYvhAbQoe9YN4c84SqXxIY3fQ
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