Google is working on a revolutionary new feature for its Android operating system, which could transform the way users interact with their smartphones. According to a report by Android Authority, the latest Android 16 beta build contains an early version of Android Desktop Mode, a feature that enables users to turn their phones into laptops or desktop computers with a PC-like interface.

The new feature, discovered by Android tinkerer Mishaal Rahman, allows users to plug their smartphone into a monitor via USB-C and access a desktop-like experience. The interface features a taskbar at the bottom, similar to Windows, with pinned apps for easy access and a Windows Start Menu-style app drawer. Apps run in windowed modes, allowing users to snap windows to the left and right of the screen, similar to the experience on Android tablets.

The Android Desktop Mode also includes Android's native navigation buttons on the right end of the taskbar and displays the status bar on top, showing Wi-Fi and signal strength. This feature is reminiscent of Samsung's DeX (Desktop Experience) feature, which allows users to dock their Galaxy smartphones to a monitor for a windowed experience.

Last year, Rahman found an early version of Google's desktop experience, which only allowed users to drop a resizable windowed app onto a bigger screen. However, in March, Google updated the feature to include a display placement management setting, enabling users to drag boxes to arrange their mobile screen and monitor for easier navigation between the two.

Although Android Desktop Mode is not expected to be ready for launch with Android 16, which is expected to roll out this spring, it could be released later in a quarterly update or even as part of Android 17, which is likely to arrive in 2026. This feature has significant implications for the future of mobile computing, potentially blurring the lines between smartphones and laptops.

The introduction of Android Desktop Mode raises questions about the future of mobile productivity and how users will interact with their devices. With the ability to turn their phones into laptops or desktop computers, users may no longer need to carry separate devices for work and personal use. This could also lead to a shift in the way developers design apps, with a greater emphasis on desktop-like experiences.

As Google continues to develop and refine Android Desktop Mode, it will be interesting to see how the feature evolves and how users respond to this new way of interacting with their smartphones. One thing is certain – this feature has the potential to revolutionize the mobile computing landscape and change the way we think about smartphones and laptops.