Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Over the terminating couple of generations, Google has been slowly however continuously adapting Pixel line-up to aid increasingly complicated utility instances and lines. Units just like the Pixel Line and Pixel Pill handover extra versatility than ever within the Pixel community, and Google isn’t preventing there. As we’ve already not hidden, the nearest Google Pixel 8 line of telephones is ready to obtain a extra performant Tensor G3 SoC, fashionable digital camera sensors, and brand-new shows, amongst alternative issues, which must all enchantment to energy customers.
Now, because of a supply inside of Google, we will disclose any other long-awaited complicated property that’s in the end coming to Pixels. Assistance for USB DisplayPort change form is heading to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional. Let’s have a look.
What’s USB DisplayPort change form?

Robert Triggs / Android Authority
When the USB-IF first unveiled the USB-C same old again in 2014, maximum folk simply noticed a fresh, reversible connector and speeds that had been relatively quicker than ahead of, however the usual used to be far more than that. Not like earlier iterations of USB, USB-C used to be designed with versatility and extendibility in thoughts.
Probably the most primary techniques this used to be accomplished used to be via including aid for change methods. The speculation is modest: USB-C plugs have a accumulation of connector pins (12 to be exact, or double that for those who additionally rely those which might be there to aid reversibility) and are already designed to aid towering speeds, so why no longer permit the utility of the similar connectors for various programs too? Trade methods made a accumulation of alternative ports, or even used DC charging plugs, principally out of date. Why have a devoted port that you are going to simplest utility from time to time when USB-C may also be worn for that utility and far more?
DisplayPort Alt Form lets in units to tie to shows by means of USB-C.
There are diverse change form requirements, however two of probably the most remarkable ones are ThunderBolt and DisplayPort. The previous transmits PCIe, the similar connection bus worn for PC detailed playing cards and high-speed storehouse extension, amongst alternative issues. It additionally helps audio, rapid knowledge transfers, or even show outputs by means of the DisplayPort same old. The chances are principally unending — simply take a look at all of the to be had docks and dongles that may upload just about any same old possible to just about any tool that helps ThunderBolt.
USB-C too can aid the DisplayPort change form with out ThunderBolt. Pace that’s some distance much less flexible, it’s nonetheless an invaluable choice for units that in the past didn’t deal a method to output high-resolution video to an exterior show. Suppose capsules and smartphones that don’t have room to extra for an HDMI or alternative devoted show port.
What would the Pixel 8 utility DisplayPort for?

Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
Pace my supply doesn’t have particular knowledge referring to Google’s DisplayPort plans, with some just right used code digging, we will work out what Google may consider for the Pixel 8. Probably the most extra perceivable makes use of for exterior show aid is to turn into a telephone right into a desktop substitute. With a show, keyboard and mouse, a handset might be worn as a device for brightness place of business paintings.
This idea clearly isn’t fresh. In truth, its first iteration got here into life in 2011, slightly 3 years nearest Android’s actual settingup. Motorola ATRIX had a different dock that transformed it right into a plain desktop pc. Since upcoming, there were many extra makes an attempt, like Microsoft’s guess on Continuum again in 2015. Because of the usual codebase of Home windows 10 and Home windows 10 Cellular, make a choice Lumia telephones may just handover a complete Home windows desktop, similar to on an actual PC.
Google might come with a desktop form, immediately out of your telephone’s USB-C port, similar to Samsung DeX.
However possibly probably the most memorable implementation, no less than within the Android dimension, is Samsung DeX. Introduced in 2017, Samsung flagship telephones proceed to aid Dex, making an allowance for a desktop enjoy by means of not anything greater than a USB-C cable or HDMI adapter. Every other producer that helps the speculation is Motorola with their “Ready For” property, which does the entirety that DeX does and extra, for instance, together with a devoted video chat form. It’s supported on flagship units in addition to some upper-mid-range fashions.
There’s alternative proof to aid the concept Google may well be operating on a Pixel desktop property. As spotted by Mishaal Rahman, contemporary Android 14 betas have aid for USB-C DisplayPort Alt Form and offered enhancements to the desktop form that used to be provide within the launcher code for a date. Pace it’s nonetheless somewhat tough, Google hasn’t forgotten about it and continues to be actively operating on it. Google’s additionally been bettering aid for bodily keyboards, despite the fact that that may well be for the rumored keyboard for the Pixel Pill.
That’s the entirety you wish to have to learn about DisplayPort change form at the Google Pixel 8 line. It’s thrilling that Google might in the end come with this type of coveted property, however we’ll have to attend and spot the way it makes use of it.