Android Apps on Windows 11 • Hacker News Board

Re: Android Apps on Windows 11

#131

Post by thekyle » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 4:13 AM UTC

cturtle wrote: post #63

unicornporn wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Was just about to ask the same question. I can't come up with a single Android app I'd like to run on desktop. Is it just an app development thing?

Maybe Venmo since there is no desktop/web client. It frustrates me that Venmo has become so popular in my circles when it’s smartphone-only. I have a smartphone so I’ll keep using it there, but I could imagine some might appreciate the option to run apps like Venmo on a PC.

The Venmo website allows you to send and receive money just like the app.

Re: Android Apps on Windows 11

#132

Post by MikusR » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 4:24 AM UTC

intack-choi wrote: post #127

MikusR wrote: post #107

This is based on AOSP and not Closed source Google Android. So wait for Google to cancel Microsofts licence to make Android devices.

They can't

Microsoft makes Surface Duo. A Google certified Android device. Google forbids companies that make Android devices to make devices on Android forks.

Re: Android Apps on Windows 11

#133

Post by paxys » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 4:28 AM UTC

This is a good tech demo but feature wise pretty useless. Windows 8 and the UWP mess already proved that people don't want "apps" on their PCs. I can't think of a single Android app that I would use on my desktop or laptop right now.

Re: Android Apps on Windows 11

#134

Post by paxys » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 4:31 AM UTC

gavin_gee wrote: post #8

(caveat i worked at MS for years but now don't) One of Microsoft's greatest strengths on show here. Embrace and extend. They made a mess of trying to build an app business with windows RT, Windows 8, windows 10. They can't get into the apple appstore ecosystem so they pivot to embracing the Android ecosystem to have an app catalog on windows. (Ironically what google did with Android was the play that Microsoft should…

The third part of that strategy is "extinguish", which cannot happen considering Google controls the Android ecosystem.

Re: Android Apps on Windows 11

#135

Post by paxys » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 4:35 AM UTC

open-paren wrote: post #5

I have a suspicion that they went with the Amazon App Store because it removes the dependency on Google Play Services. Is that just me?

Why would Google even want the Play Store to be available on Microsoft PCs? Being able to run Android apps is a key differentiator for Chromebooks.

Re: Android Apps on Windows 11

#136

Post by poglet » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 4:47 AM UTC

paxys wrote: post #133

This is a good tech demo but feature wise pretty useless. Windows 8 and the UWP mess already proved that people don't want "apps" on their PCs. I can't think of a single Android app that I would use on my desktop or laptop right now.

I installed scrcpy https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy which lets you remotely connect to your Android device - similar to VNC.

It was handy being able to use certain apps that don't exist properly on computers like Instagram, SMS, some other messaging apps. Copy and past works and you can install apk files by dropping them into the window. I found it quiet interesting.

Re: Android Apps on Windows 11

#137

Post by kumarvvr » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 4:57 AM UTC

nikanj wrote: post #70

"Mobile games: Play some of the most popular mobile games like Lords Mobile, June’s Journey, Coin Master, and more." I'm reasonably certain those are not the most popular mobile games right now.

Mobile games are meant for use with hands and gestures.

Not sure how a mouse would be fun with that.

Re: Android Apps on Windows 11

#138

Post by jamesfinlayson » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 5:07 AM UTC

wyldfire wrote: post #2

> To enable these types of experiences, we are introducing a new component on top of Windows 11 called Windows Subsystem for Android™, which powers the Amazon Appstore and its catalog. The Subsystem includes the Linux kernel and the Android OS based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) version 11. > The Windows Subsystem for Android is available across the full spectrum of Windows processor types (AMD, Intel, an…

I didn't realise there was an Amazon App Store until I read this thread today.

Re: Android Apps on Windows 11

#139

Post by nikolay » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 5:07 AM UTC

paxys wrote: post #133

This is a good tech demo but feature wise pretty useless. Windows 8 and the UWP mess already proved that people don't want "apps" on their PCs. I can't think of a single Android app that I would use on my desktop or laptop right now.

Many apps don't have websites and only have mobile apps! It gives another incentive to developers to not release iOS-first apps - they will get simultaneously on Windows and Android instead of the now niche iOS market!

Re: Android Apps on Windows 11

#140

Post by nikolay » Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 5:08 AM UTC

kumarvvr wrote: post #137

nikanj wrote: post #70

"Mobile games: Play some of the most popular mobile games like Lords Mobile, June’s Journey, Coin Master, and more." I'm reasonably certain those are not the most popular mobile games right now.

Mobile games are meant for use with hands and gestures. Not sure how a mouse would be fun with that.

Windows is not macOS - it supports touchscreens and most Windows notebooks have touchscreens!