After Microsoft revealed its 'Project Astoria' platform that will allow Windows 10 systems to emulate and run Android applications, a company called CodeWeavers is now doing the opposite. It claims that its software will allow Android devices to run Windows apps - even desktop applications.
The catch here is that most of the current products on the markets won't be able to support the feature. Due to the nature of the code for Windows software, especially desktop applications, the emulator requires an x86 processor, thus restricting the function to only a few Android devices that currently sport an Intel processor, such as the Nokia N1 and Asus Zenfone 2. Since most of the major products run on ARM architecture, they are, unfortunately, ineligible.
The other restriction on the platform is that while the emulator is capable of running proper desktop applications, not all apps are supported. Since the apps are emulated without running a virtual machine for the whole OS, options are currently limited with many applications like QuickBooks 2015 and Adobe Creative Suite not making the cut. Such programs are either untested at this time or failing to work.
The software will be free when released, though there isn't currently even a beta for you to test it out. Still, CodeWeavers has promised a Technical Preview to be released at a later date. Only tablets have been confirmed as compatible with the emulator and the status of phones is still up in the air.
The catch here is that most of the current products on the markets won't be able to support the feature. Due to the nature of the code for Windows software, especially desktop applications, the emulator requires an x86 processor, thus restricting the function to only a few Android devices that currently sport an Intel processor, such as the Nokia N1 and Asus Zenfone 2. Since most of the major products run on ARM architecture, they are, unfortunately, ineligible.
The other restriction on the platform is that while the emulator is capable of running proper desktop applications, not all apps are supported. Since the apps are emulated without running a virtual machine for the whole OS, options are currently limited with many applications like QuickBooks 2015 and Adobe Creative Suite not making the cut. Such programs are either untested at this time or failing to work.
The software will be free when released, though there isn't currently even a beta for you to test it out. Still, CodeWeavers has promised a Technical Preview to be released at a later date. Only tablets have been confirmed as compatible with the emulator and the status of phones is still up in the air.
