Have A PC In Your Pocket. Here's How To Use It

If you're like me, you probably store all of your documents on the various cloud service that cap storage at a freemium rate. Should you ever need to access those documents for work or school and find that you're nowhere near a desk computer, technological advances in hardware and software allow us some unprecedented shortcuts.

There’s a good chance that the phone in your pocket has the ability to transform into a desktop computer. Android, Windows 10 Mobile, and Ubuntu Touch all have desktop user interfaces available for when connected via HDMI. All you need is a keyboard and possibly a mouse.

HDMI Magic

Needless to say, you are going to need an HDMI receiver(wireless or otherwise) that is compatible with your smartphone's operating system. Best you research which one is best suited for you as there are plenty available on the popular platforms.

Ubuntu Touch

These devices are equipped with the Convergence system that allows different users interface based on the display size. Once you connect the smartphone to a television set via wireless HDMI, the user interface turns into a full Ubuntu Unity desktop complete with pre-installed tools like LibreOffice.

Canonical has since abandoned Ubuntu Touch, however. All it has now is all it will ever have as there is currently no active development for the platform. Happily, a development community has sprung up to help maintain the operating system, centered around ubports.com.

Windows 10

Windows uses its Continuum UI, which was developed to determine how a touchscreen display would differ from a standard screen, to also turn any mobile device running Windows 10 into a PC as well.

There are many advantages to using this instead of screen mirroring but when you connect using Miracast, Continuum allows you to use your phone like a PC with access to apps and all. You can also use the phone as a phone while connected, which is a major advantage.

Microsoft has produced a dock for your monitor. It is pricey, and you probably won't be needing it coz you can still use your phone's keyboard and the screen turns into a touchpad at your command.

Android

There is no official desktop UI for the Android OS, a good option to look at is Maru OS; An Android fork that currently only runs on the 2013 models of the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7. Ports for other hardware are in development. Once installed, you’ll see a version of Linux Debian with a Xfce desktop, ready for use as a desktop computer.

What do you think? Could this ever be useful in your life for the things you use your computer and/or smartphone for? Share with us in the comments below. Thank you for visiting Base64!