A decade after the failure of the Atrix 4G Laptop Dock, Motorola is making another attempt to turn a phone into its computer. Through an Android 11 update, Edge Plus users at Verizon can now connect the device to a larger screen for a desktop style experience in Samsung’s Dex vein. In short, this means that you will be able to access all your phone’s productivity, games and streaming applications on a monitor or TV.
Motorola expects you to use it for everything from editing work documents and making video calls (which should look great thanks to the solid camera collection on the Edge Plus) to playing Fifteen days – or a cloud gaming service like Xbox Game Pass or Google Stadia (via a Bluetooth controller) – to watch Netflix.
The new “Ready For” platform uses a multi-window interface that starts when you connect to a screen via the USB-C or HDMI port. You can also add accessories like a keyboard or mouse to further match the feel of a desktop. There is no dedicated application and you can use your phone as a second screen while working on a larger screen. To help with this, Motorola is launching a “Ready For” dock on April 19 on Amazon, with prices to be announced close to launch.
Of course, a lot has changed since the Atrix 4G lapdock – essentially a dumb laptop that became smart by fitting the Motorola phone to the back. The speed of the Internet on smartphones, cell phones and homes has advanced by leaps and bounds. In the meantime, Samsung has probably come closer to creating a smartphone-powered desktop experience with its wireless Dex software platform. If Dex and Ready For remain, it could lead to more phone makers trying to usurp PCs in an attempt to capitalize on the boom in remote work.