Samsung's DeX Pad allows its smartphones to become minicomputers when they're hooked up to the device. Connecting a smartphone to the dock allows the user to see its screen projected onto a monitor.

This device can open up new opportunities for Android users.

New DeX Pad

Samsung announced that it would be releasing the DeX Pad in the United States on May 13 for the price of $99.99. This new device was revealed in February during the debut of the Samsung Galaxy S9.

Samsung's previous version of the DeX Pad was the DeX dock. It allows smartphones to be connected to a monitor, and it can then be used as the trackpad to access the features. While using the DeX Pad, both a keyboard and a mouse can be plugged in to it to turn the smartphone into a computer.

The DeX Pad includes USB and HDMI ports to make this possible. It features two USB-A ports and one USB-C port.

Its previous version did include an ethernet port, but it is lacking from the DeX Pad. This version does make up for that loss by being able to set the resolution on the monitor to 2,560 x 1,440, a much-needed improvement over the DeX Dock, which only reached 1080p.

In the press release for the announcement, Samsung said that the DeX Pad bridges the worlds of smartphones and desktops. It also touts the possibilities of being able to play mobile games on larger screens.

One of the improvements over its predecessor is that instead of the phone being slightly raised, it now lies flat. This makes it easier for the phone to be used as a trackpad if people don't have a mouse to connect.

Samsung also released a list of apps that are optimized for the DeX Pad. 

Getting A Free DeX Pad

Samsung also announced that the DeX Pad will be given for free to those who order a Samsung Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9 Plus through the Samsung website. The deal is set to start on April 9 and will run through April 30.

Along with the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus, the DeX Pad also works with the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, Galaxy Note 8, and Galaxy S8 Active models that have the Android 8.0 update.

Those who have already purchased the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus will have to fork out the $99.99 for the DeX Pad.