Samsung's decision to axe the DeX for PC app on Windows feels like a punch to the gut, especially if you're building your life and business in Africa. This is more than a nuisance on a website. It’s about equity, opportunity, and a fundamental lack of understanding of what a mobile-first continent looks like.

DeX Was A Bridge, Now Gone

Let's be clear: DeX, in its original PC app form, wasn't just a fancy gimmick. It was a bridge. A useful bridge between the powerful smartphones most Africans are starting to get accustomed to, and the better productivity a desktop environment can provide. For those entrepreneurs bootstrapping startups, students writing dissertations, and remote workers plugging into the global economy, DeX provided a necessary lifeline. An inexpensive method to achieve docked PC level productivity.

I’ve experienced personally how this technology has helped put people back in the driver’s seat. Imagine a young woman in Nairobi, running her online business from her phone during the day, then plugging into a monitor and keyboard at night to manage inventory and customer service. DeX opened that ability up without a large spend on a dedicated PC. Now, Samsung pulls the plug.

  • Affordability: DeX circumvented the need for expensive laptops or desktops.
  • Accessibility: It transformed readily available smartphones into versatile workstations.
  • Sustainability: Extended the lifespan of existing devices, reducing e-waste.

Samsung claims that “Link to Windows” is the replacement, guaranteeing the same functionality without a wire. Let's be real, shall we? In much of Africa, dependable internet connectivity is still a pipe dream, let alone an expectation. Put crudely, it’s just not practical to expect everyone to have access to a reliable Wi-Fi connection. A wired connection is more reliable. It's faster. It's there. It just works.

Ignoring Africa's Unique Needs

This move smacks of a Silicon Valley-centric mindset, blind to the diverse needs of its global customer base. It's like designing a car that only runs on premium fuel when a large chunk of your market relies on regular. You’re selling more than a product; you’re building a fence.

The irony is so thick you could cut it with a knife. Samsung knows Africa is a mobile-first continent. They market aggressively here. They understand the growth potential. Now, they’re getting rid of one major feature that does the most to counter the issues of low PC penetration and high costs. It's a classic case of corporate disconnect.

Consider this, if you will: What if a car manufacturer decided to remove the fuel efficiency feature from their cars, claiming that electric vehicles are the future? As much as we would like electric cars to be the answer, not everyone can afford an electric car, and not everyone has the infrastructure. It's the same principle here. For those users who lived on their phones, DeX was the MPG on the phone-first gauntlet.

Samsung, Hear Our Voices

This isn’t only relevant to a single feature request, it’s about the value in feeling heard. It's about tech companies acknowledging that Africa isn't just a market to be exploited but a community to be served. It’s about honoring the ingenuity and resilience of African entrepreneurs who are leveraging technology to address real-world challenges.

So, what can we do? We need to make our voices heard.

  • Flood Samsung's social media channels. Let them know how this decision impacts you.
  • Contact Samsung support. File your complaints and demand a solution.
  • Support local developers. Invest in African tech companies that are building solutions tailored to our needs.
  • Share this article. Spread the word and raise awareness about this issue.

This is about more than just saving DeX — this is about a community coming together and demanding a seat at the table. We need to make sure that future technology is inclusive and equitable. It needs to be forward looking and flexible, designed for the needs of all users, not just those intent on benefiting developed, capitalist markets. Samsung, are you listening? What you choose to do next will determine whether or not you’re serious about building a mobile-first future for Africa. Stop planning and start doing! We're watching.