Bluestacks Releases Android Virtualisation For Mac
Public alpha will allow Mac users to run Android apps, opening up ‘closed ecosystem’
Bluestacks is bringing its Android virtualisation software to Macs, allowing applications developed for the mobile operating system to be used on Apple computers.
The technology has already been used to bring Android to Windows devices, with Bluestacks working with AMD to bridge the gap between the two platforms.
A public alpha of the software has been released, with the company having a “mock wedding” between Apple and Android at Google’s I/O conference to mark the event.
Mock wedding
The invitation for the wedding read that the two were to be joined at a ceremony yesterday, with the dress code “hoodie-casual”, a nod to the favoured attire of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg.
Bluestacks says that by bringing Android apps to Mac, they are working towards opening up the Apple ecosystem, which has traditionally been closed. It believes that Android is struggling because of a lack of tablet applications and that its software will provide an incentive to developers to build high resolution apps for screens like the retina display on the new MacBook Pro line-up.
However, this supposed lack of tablet applications for Android could be addressed by the new Google Nexus 7, which was unveiled at the same conference yesterday. The Asus-manufactured device will run the newest version of the operating system, 4.1 Jelly Bean, and is expected to launch next month.
The Nexus will seemingly target the Kindle Fire and its aggressive pricing structure, with an 8GB version costing £159 and a 16GB tablet costing £199.
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