To enjoy the so called desktop experience, you may have followed our tutorial on how to install Ubuntu Desktop on your Android device. GNU/Linux system, but on your smartphone or tablet screenalong with all the software and benefits that come with it.
Otherwise, you would prefer the Android 4.3 system to be installed on your PC because you like this mobile operating system the most and you want it to be. replaces your existing Windows, Linux or Mac OSX.
But what if you don’t want to touch your computer’s system and switch your devices to install loads of things that will be useless to you? However, you find your device a little too narrow for maximum comfort and a great experience on Android.
Do you want a bigger screen? A better screen? More sedentary use? That’s what I suggest in this tutorial to learn how to do it. cast your smartphone or tablet’s screen to a desired screen (computer or TV) and turn your “androphone” into a real desktop computer. Are you tempted? Let’s jump!
necessary equipment
I assure you, you won’t have to break the bank or even ask for a loan from a bank to get the necessary equipment. In fact, you will find that it is not.
for him, I recommend having the following accessoriesor if they can serve you for something else, to get them for you:
- A MHL cableessential accessory to follow our tutorial
- A display (PC monitor, television) to act as a receiver for your Android system
- Bluetooth wireless keyboard
- Wireless mouse on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
That’s all, nothing more is needed. Clearly, those without additional screens will have to pay a few more tens of eurosbut for others there are very good cheap Bluetooth keyboards + mice on the internet.
If you have or have what you need, do it and lead the transformation of your Android device!
Turn your Android device into a desktop computer
I mention this upfront for the link. The principle is to use Bluetooth accessories to limit the display of your device on the screen of your computer (or TV) and fill in the gaps of the Android system (unless you have a touchscreen, which is necessary).
Connecting the device and accessories
We will complete the installation sooner than stated. I won’t have to paint you a picture, as all you have to do is connect. HDMI plug on your TV or computer monitor.
about now Connect your keyboard and mouse via Bluetooth (or Wi-Fi as the case may be) to your phone or tablet and you should roll. It’s that simple, it can’t be faster, right? But let’s not stop here, because there are a few other interesting little things to do so that your Android system does not fry (too much) in front of a desktop OS.
Setting up programs for full use in “desktop mode”
To make the Android experience even more interesting on the big screen, we will see together if you plan to use the system as your computer’s operating system.
For standard use
system on your computer or TV screen. You have the operating system’s default browser for surfing the web, but nothing prevents you from installing one of these browsers however you like:
[appbox googleplay com.opera.browser][appbox googleplay com.android.chrome][appbox googleplay org.mozilla.firefox]
Web browsing is fine, but if you’re downloading files, file explorer. If you have a terminal under the CyanogenMod ROM, you will have the explorer built into the system or an explorer provided with the manufacturers skins, otherwise you can choose one of the following:
[appbox googleplay com.estrongs.android.pop][appbox googleplay com.metago.astro]
With this, you can have Your contacts need to be just one click away from social networksthen download the relevant apps depending on what you are using:
[appbox googleplay com.facebook.katana][appbox googleplay com.twitter.android][appbox googleplay com.google.android.apps.plus][appbox googleplay com.linkedin.android]
Finally, I suggest you get a terminal:
[appbox googleplay jackpal.androidterm]
This is the minimum amount that can be requested by the average user who converts his Android smartphone or tablet to a desktop computer.
for the office
In addition to all this, you may want to do it on your Android. That’s why I recommend a few suites. “Office automation” to enjoy convenient use of a word processor or spreadsheet:
[appbox googleplay com.mobisystems.office][appbox googleplay cn.wps.moffice_eng][appbox googleplay com.olivephone.edit]
The first is more of an Office document reader than you would on your computer. KingSoft Office is a very complete package and completely freeto. The last one is very interesting to troubleshoot if you don’t like OfficeSuite.
for multimedia
If you like graphic design like me, I have a few things to suggest to you. The apps in the Google online store are numerous, but:
[appbox googleplay com.ternopil.fingerpaintfree][appbox googleplay mobi.pixi.gallery.paint]
Otherwise, you can start the application already a little more important with multiple functions :
[appbox googleplay com.sketchbookexpress][appbox googleplay com.aviary.android.feather][appbox googleplay com.adobe.psmobile]
For Android, feel free to test them if you want.
Also, you can apply video and/or music focused applications. For example, you can:
[appbox googleplay com.ui.LapseIt]
Moreover make clips and edit video :
[appbox googleplay com.androvid][appbox googleplay com.goseet.VidTrim]
Or do the following:
[appbox googleplay com.extreamsd.aemobiledemo]
In short, you or not, just good stuff for budding artists.
to relax
If you have not found your happiness among this application and programs or paid solutions (which I deliberately did not give here). The aim of this part of the training was to provide you with a practice environment with quality programs without paying a single penny.
Solution
That’s the end of this tutorial, I dare anyone with an MHL cable in their hands to compile a list (why not) of smartphones and tablets powerful enough to be converted into a desktop computer.
If you like motion pictures before you leave, I suggest you watch this video from an Italian site, which gives a quick explanation of how this cable works and how it’s made. Cast your Android device to a computer screen or television :
Please leave your impressions in the comments, if you were able to test the manipulation or plan to purchase an MHL cable to achieve this. As mentioned above, we will always be able to know the most suitable devices to go through this “transformation” and provide an optimal user experience.