Skip to main content

Jide's Remix OS beta makes it way to PC, Mac with some essential improvements

jide remix os beta android on pc
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Back in January, at CES 2016, Jide revealed that no longer would its Remix OS Android makeover be limited to its own proprietary hardware. Instead, the company decided to release a free version of the operating system for both PC and Mac that would finally translate Android proper to a mouse and keyboard workstation.

We tested that version back in January at CES, and appreciated how easy it was to install the software and launch it on any system. Its lightweight utility gives Chrome OS a run for its money, especially considering the Google Play store’s strong offerings in comparison to the Chrome web store.

Recommended Videos

Now, after over a month of remaining in alpha, Remix OS has finally made its first beta appearance with version 2.0.102, bearing new, arguably essential features. That includes over-the-air updating, meaning you no longer have to perform a clean install every time a new version is released. Additional amendments include support for legacy 32-bit hardware as well as a new UEFI complete with dual-boot functionality.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Furthermore, as Tom’s Hardware reported last week, Jide plans to add even more devices to its compatibility list, along with the integration of an “advanced” file manager. We’ve reached out to the company to find out more, though personally, I’m holding out for Chromebook support.

Nevertheless, even with the arrival of all these integral enhancements, it’s disappointing to note that none of the Google Play Store and Service functionalities are presently available. Tom’s Hardware reported, however, that Google is in the process of rectifying that, and if you want, Google Play Services can be sideloaded while you wait.

Still, there’s much to be revised in Remix OS even with its beta iteration debut. Despite the sheer impressiveness of being able to open five simultaneous windows in Android and adjusting them across the screen with no apparent lag, it’s hardly more flexible than Google’s ChromeOS without the inclusion of an app store.

Regardless, the amount of work that was evidently put into Remix OS is commendable. The UI is as minimalist as it is practical, and with the right touchups, it could end up giving Google a run for its money.

Gabe Carey
Former Digital Trends Contributor
A freelancer for Digital Trends, Gabe Carey has been covering the intersection of video games and technology since he was 16…
The latest MacOS update is bricking some people’s Macs
Apple MacBook Pro front view showing display and keyboard..

Normally, we’d encourage you to always update to the latest version of your operating system. But some Mac users got more than they bargained for when they installed the latest MacOS Monterey 12.3 update -- it bricked their devices.

According to posts on Apple’s developer forums and on social media, the 12.3 update is causing all manner of issues, from simple error messages to infinite rebooting loops and completely bricked Macs. Attempting to upgrade from MacOS Monterey 12.2.1 or earlier appears to be causing the problems.

Read more
If you’ve got a OnePlus 9 phone, you can try the open beta of OxygenOS 12 now
OnePlus 9 Pro shown from the back.

You can now try a beta version of OnePlus’ Android 12-based OygenOS operating system, provided you own a OnePlus 9 or OnePlus 9 Pro. The latest OxygenOS 12 software contains various new features and design updates, plus it integrates Oppo’s ColorOS codebase, as revealed earlier this year after OnePlus and Oppo announced a closer working partnership.

The user interface has been given a visual overhaul. The design has been created around the use of light and shadow, which apparently increases ease of use and readability. More specifically, OnePlus says simplified icons and typography, along with more subtle gradients and the use of shadows, will help the software be more relatable and inclusive. It goes as far as calling OxygenOS 12 will a “safe and chill place.”

Read more
MacOS Monterey public beta hands-on: The Apple ecosystem expands
Safari, Apple Maps, and Focus in Apple's MacOS Monterey public beta

Last year’s update to Apple’s Mac operating system, MacOS Big Sur, was the largest and most significant refresh in years. This year’s iteration, dubbed MacOS Monterey by Apple’s “crack marketing team,” is more of an update compared to 2020’s behemoth. That’s not to say it is a dull, pedestrian affair, but it is more refinement than revolution despite Apple opting for the MacOS 12 nomenclature rather than MacOS 11.1.

So, what can you expect when you get your hands on it in the fall (or right now if you signed up for the public beta)? Well, expect a lot of bugs for one thing. Apple released the public beta just a few days after the second developer beta came out. That’s a quick turnaround, and it shows, with some features looking a little creaky right now.

Read more