long story short
- A new adapter called the Auto Pro X allows Galaxy device owners to use Dex Mode on their car screens.
- This allows you to use apps that Android Auto doesn’t support, or use your car’s screen as a PC of sorts.
- The new product has been fully funded on Kickstarter for $64,000, far exceeding its $5,000 goal.
One of the selling points of Samsung phones is Dex mode, which provides a PC-like interface when you connect the phone to an external monitor. Now, a new gadget promises to bring that experience to your car’s display.
The Auto Pro X is a $199 adapter that allows owners of Galaxy devices to use Dex Mode wirelessly on their car screens (h/t: automatic evolution). This means you get a laptop-like experience on your car’s display. Getting started seems as simple as plugging the dongle into your vehicle’s USB port and clicking the “Dex” option in your Galaxy device’s quick settings menu.
Auto Pro X maker Mayton explains that the main advantage of this approach compared to Android Auto is that more apps can be used on the car’s display. Therefore, unsupported streaming apps and games should work here (as well as wireless gamepads). However, the PC-like user interface means the icons here are much smaller. So when you’re actually driving and need to use the screen, this may not be the ideal solution.
The company also points out the productivity benefits of this approach, since when paired with a keyboard and mouse, you can use your car’s screen as a laptop. I’m not sure this will be anyone’s first choice for getting work done on the go, but if you’re on the road a lot, it might be a good backup option.
The good news is that the Auto Pro The device’s regular price is $199, with early bird pricing available at $140, with shipping starting in June. This isn’t the company’s first car adapter either, as the original Auto Pro offered wireless Android Auto support and apparently sold over 200,000 units. So this doesn’t appear to be an unreliable company.