I’m gathering insights on this topic: What’s stopping you from using a smartphone as your primary VDI client? I mean fully replacing your desk device and connecting wirelessly to a mouse, keyboard, and monitor (I know many of you don’t yet have AirPlay or Miracast available). I’m especially interested in hearing about the weak points in the current experience — areas that need improvement, features that should be enhanced, or pain points that make this setup impractical today.

This fad came and went a few years ago. Never took off and I doubt it ever will.

Thanks for the information — that’s exactly what I was aiming for. The goal is to identify all weak points and then assess how far current solutions are from the ideal. Everything can be improved or done differently. Achieving this will likely require collaboration between VDI solution providers as well as Apple (iOS) and Google (Android).

There is no chance Citrix are going to want people to start using all sorts of different phones as client devices too. They already struggle to write software when there are issues on the current niche devices. Diversifying the portfolio of connecting clients isn't going to do anything to improve quality of coding (which is poor enough as is)

Back in the day, everyone thought phones were just for voice calls and maybe playing Snake. No one imagined they’d evolve into today’s smartphones, replacing a staggering array of devices. I believe it’s possible for a phone to become a full-fledged VDI client, provided the technology is perfected. This is absolutely achievable with the right approach, determination, and goodwill from manufacturers. Most importantly—never give up. Someone has to set the trends, push technology forward, even if it seems weak at first. Remember, it’s the end results that count. 👍 😉

But they're consumer devices, and that's their primary function. Do you want your ability to waste time on Facebook and Instagram eaten up because you've got to plug your phone into some cradle to run a VDI? No, you don't. You use a PC or laptop instead. The only way this flies is if you have a "work" phone as well as a "personal" phone, and most people don't want that hassle. Also turning your personal device into a work device has inherent risks. Do you have some kind of device management installed on everyone's personal phones? That's not going to fly if it starts interfering in what they want to do. Just my opinion, but I've seen enough cool-looking trends in IT over the last thirty years or so disappear. Remember cool stuff like ChipPC? I thought they would revolutionize everything. But they didn't. Not everything takes off, and I think this form factor has too many complications to ever gain any traction.

In my personal life, my smartphone has completely replaced the use of a traditional computer or laptop – I do everything on it. It’s not just for entertainment but for a wide range of other tasks. In my country, company-issued smartphones are very popular – the firm provides a separate device dedicated to work, such as for calling clients, staying in touch, or handling on-call duties. This solution minimizes the hassle with personal phones and could be a game-changer for VDI if the technology is perfected with full commitment. Not everything takes off, but with determination and an innovative approach, success is within reach! 😉 👍

You carry two phones here you get arrested on suspicion of dealing drugs

As you point out, current solutions face challenges and limitations. However, I’m looking ahead—analyzing today’s problems, barriers, and needs to better understand what the ideal solution, which doesn’t yet exist, should look like. People often focus only on what’s available now, not what’s possible. Thanks for the inspiring conversation and a wealth of valuable insights!

Even when sitting at my desktop with 4 monitors I will often do something on my phone as I do different workloads on there then I do in a traditional desktop. I tried using my phone or tablet as my primary VDI, but without the keyboard and mouse it is a restrictive experience, and removes the ability to do those type of quick multitasking. better to have a laptop for your vdi, and your phone for communication, tokens, or data stream device like chatting.

I know one hospital here in Norway was running a POC with samsung phone with dex, and then placedsome usb-C docks which they could dock their phone to get keyboard, mouse and a big screen, and then running citrix on it. As far as I know it worked ok, but had some issues. Haven't talked to the guy involved in that poc for a while, so don't know if they went further with it