AMD launches AppZone with Android emulation
AMD's AppZone provides Android emulation through the BlueStacks software, but do your really want Fruit Ninja on your desktop?
Dubbed 'AMD AppZone,' the software is a clear response to Intel's AppUp software centre, which showcases software designed specifically for the company's Atom and low-end Core processor families. AppZone, then, is roughly the same: a storefront of software, largely centred around casual games, that is guaranteed to operate correctly on low-end AMD GPUs, CPUs and APUs.
Where the site differs, however, is in integration with the BlueStacks compatibility layer. By tying in with the BlueStacks software, AppZone is able to connect to Android user's Google Play accounts and run Android-targeted software on a Windows-based desktop, laptop or tablet. Similar to the wine compatibility layer - which allows Windows applications to be run on Linux - the emulation is invisible to the user, although not every Android package is guaranteed to work.
It's the BlueStacks integration that really makes AppZone stand out: by tying in to Google Play, applications which have already been purchased on an Android smartphone or tablet can be installed for free on your desktop or laptop. It also gives AMD a massive library of software at launch - something the AppUp site was very slow to build.
Sadly, there is an elephant in the room that really needs to be addressed: Android apps are not desktop apps, and are designed around the needs of a smartphone user. While tablet-centric applications like the Pulse newsreader may be usable on a desktop or laptop, the majority of apps are tailored to small-screen devices with touch-sensitive controls - and aren't likely to be much use on a large-screen desktop with a keyboard and mouse.
The site doesn't just offer access to Android software, however, with several games titles like Deus Ex: Human Revolution also being showcased through the AppZone. Sadly, these aren't available for one-click installation - although should AppZone attract a number of followers, that could very well change.
If you want to see what 'cool apps' - AMD's phraseology, not ours - are available on AppZone, the site is live now.
Previous Article
14 Comments
Discuss in the forums ReplyThis could've has the double advantage of giving a real reason to get an AMD Win8 tablet over an Intel or Arm/RT one, if you can access almost the entire Android ecosystem even while Win8 software is catching up. This of course assumes that these apps are easily accessable from Metro, so that users don't have to jump through multiple hoops to reach their banking app, but they needed some sort of game changer on the software side to compete in the tablet sector.
Well, looking forward to seeing if AMD can capitalize here.
While I love my PC Gaming, I am a massive fan of Game Dev and Grand Prix Story. Playing them on my ageing phone eats the battery and have had to turn off the *ahem* "good" graphics or they just chug,
Now I can play them on my desktop and laptop. In fact I read this then proceeded to download and played Game Dev Story until 1am! Thanks for bringing this to our attention! GO AMD!
Once there is a fun, interesting and fairly deep racing management game on the PC then would totally be there. Same with if there was a game about running a computer game dev company... Neither such things exist (and believe me I have spent MANY hours searching for PC Alternatives) and thus I see it to be a very wonderful thing... Plus the games are crazy cheap and almost all of them have demos!
Why not just call it 'software'?
Or is that just crazy?
Well apps is short for applications which is what software makes up. Not much different. Just the way the world is evolving.
Because most of the games on android aren't on PC. That was kind of a dumb question.
lol sounds fun! I can't wait to try this with my 27" LCD!!! It's going to be so AMAZING!
... or not