Another cell phone that can replace a PC has arrived. A new feature has been added to the Motorola Edge Plus, allowing those who purchased this phone on Verizon to easily connect it to an external monitor when they need a larger screen to work.

The feature, which Motorola calls "Ready For," will be included in the Motorola Edge Plus with the update to Android 11. ("A flagship phone is getting an Android 11 update now?" you might think, but given that Android 11 was first introduced last September, you would be right to think so.) The $999 Motorola Edge Plus will be a more attractive option for users who value productivity.

Motorola Ready For allows users to connect their phones to the monitor using either a USB-C-to-USB-C cable or a USB-C-to-HDMI option. Once the phone is connected, the Ready For Experience Hub is activated and includes the option for a multi-window interface with a large screen. A mouse and keyboard can also be connected via Bluetooth to create a complete workstation.

As smartphones are becoming the primary device for more and more people, cell phone manufacturers have been warming up to the idea of adding the ability to turn a phone into a portable PC. Motorola has stated that the growing number of people working remotely motivated it to develop the Ready For feature. This trend will continue even after the coronavirus outbreak is over.

Motorola is considering use cases that go beyond just running productivity programs on a larger screen (although that is certainly a big draw for Motorola Edge Plus owners). It can also use the Motorola Edge Plus' 108MP main camera and the model's ultra-wide-angle lens for video chatting through Ready For if you need to talk to more people.

In addition to increasing productivity, Motorola envisions users playing games on a screen larger than the Edge's 6.7-inch display and enjoying gameplay with a Bluetooth-connected controller. They can also connect the Motorola Edge Plus to a larger screen when watching their favorite shows or streaming movies.

If these features sound familiar, it's because Motorola is not the first cell phone manufacturer to market its phone as a portable PC. Samsung included the DeX feature in its flagship Galaxy S and Note models a few years ago. It's more convenient than carrying an extra cable.

But while handset makers may embrace the concept, will smartphone users? At this point, the ability to use a cell phone like a PC seems more like a "nice to have" feature than a necessity. Pundits' analysis suggests that this feature will appeal to some users and not make them want to buy a particular phone or not buy one at all. However, if Motorola is right about the remote work trend, the company's Ready For feature could give it an edge.