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BlueStacks App Player hits beta, supports ARM-written Android apps on x86-based Windows (video)

Joe Pollicino — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST

We've been eagerly anticipating the full-on release of BlueStacks' App Player, so imagine our excitement now that the software has officially made the leap from its brief alpha stage to "beta-1" status. If you'll recall, the App Player can virtually run over 450k Android apps on Windows XP, Vista and 7, all without developers needing to tweak their respective coding. Notably, this latest build has a host of updates including LayerCake, allowing x86-based machines to run apps written for ARM -- and with hardware graphics acceleration, no less. Other notable goodies from the beta build include official localization in 10 countries, mock accelerometer support (arrow keys), an updated UI and Direct AppStore Access. If the mere thought of running Android Angry Birds on Windows has your interests piqued, you'll find further details about BlueStacks in the full press release and video overview past the break.

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BlueStacks App Player hits beta, supports ARM-written Android apps on x86-based Windows (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlueStacks App Player lets you run Android apps on Windows PCs or tablets (video)

Amar Toor — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:15:00 EST

If you've been dreaming of a world where Android apps are free to roam across your Windows desktop, you're in luck, because BlueStacks has just turned your reverie into reality. Today, the startup unveiled an alpha version of its App Player -- software that allows users to run a host of Android apps on Windows PCs, tablets or desktops, without requiring them to make modifications to their original OS. Available as a free download, this early test version comes pre-loaded with ten apps, and can support an extra 26, on top of that. BlueStacks' free Cloud Connect app, meanwhile, allows you to port third-party apps directly from your handset to your computer, though some games, including Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja, are prohibited. Those, it turns out, will be included under a paid version of the App Player, which BlueStacks hopes to launch at a later date. You can take the free software for a spin at the source link below, or meander past the break for a demo video, along with a pair of press releases.

Continue reading BlueStacks App Player lets you run Android apps on Windows PCs or tablets (video)

BlueStacks App Player lets you run Android apps on Windows PCs or tablets (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Parallels Desktop 7 plays nice with Lions and cameras and developers, oh my!

Daniel Cooper — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:38:00 EST

Today sees the release of Parallels 7, the newest version of its popular, competition beating virtualization software. This edition plays nicely with Lion, runs multiple virtual machines and has received several performance tweaks -- for the number obsessed, you'll enjoy knowing that it resumes Windows 60 percent faster than Parallels 6. Gamers will notice a 40 percent bump in 3D graphics rendering and video-chatters will find that Windows can now access your Mac while it's being dictated by OS X. Low end users who don't have Windows 7, fear not -- you can use the "Windows on Demand" service to buy a license via an "easy-to-use wizard" like, erm -- Clippy. Mobile fans will also see Parallels' iOS app give you remote access to your home machine, but be quick -- the price is leaping skyward from $4.99 to $19.99 soon. You can grab the standalone edition for $80, but folks already using versions 5 or 6 can level-up for $50.

Continue reading Parallels Desktop 7 plays nice with Lions and cameras and developers, oh my!

Parallels Desktop 7 plays nice with Lions and cameras and developers, oh my! originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BlueStacks offering Android virtualization within Windows, harmony for one and all

Darren Murph — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:21:00 EST

It'd be too easy to simply describe BlueStack's suddenly titillating software as Android's Parallels for Windows, but really -- why try to complicate things? Currently available only in test form, the program is designed to run a virtualized copy of Android atop a not-at-all-virtualized copy of Windows, and the implications could be far-reaching. According to a hands-on demonstration given to the folks at Slashgear, BlueStack's software enables Android and Windows to share utilities and drivers; in other words, you can print something within Android via your Windows print driver, or make a call in Android's Skype application via Microsoft's VoIP drivers. We're told that multitasking was smooth and succinct, and while there's no access to the Android Market, test builds are including Amazon's Appstore as an alternative. If all goes well, the company should let the code loose "later this year," but it's hard to say what kind of price tag (or stipulations) will be attached. Can't think of a good reason to have Android and Windows living harmoniously? Here's one. (Oh, and you're welcome).

BlueStacks offering Android virtualization within Windows, harmony for one and all originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 08:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Parallels' Windows virtualization goes mobile with iOS app

Donald Melanson — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:29:00 EST

There's already a number of options available to virtually run Windows applications on your iPhone or iPad (even ESPN is doing it), but users of the recently released Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac now have what looks to be a particularly seamless option at their disposal. That comes in the form of Parallels Mobile, which will work on the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, and will let you access any virtual Windows machine running on a Mac that's using Parallels Desktop 6. Head on past the break to check it out in action, and go grab the app in the App Store right now -- it's free, but you'll have to shell out $80 for its desktop counterpart.

[Thanks, Xon]

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Parallels' Windows virtualization goes mobile with iOS app originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mac virtualization face-off: VMware Fusion 3 vs. Parallels Desktop 5 (video)

Tim Stevens — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:11:00 EST

With Steam officially hitting Mac in just a few weeks many Apple gamers have suddenly lost their need to emulate. But, for those who are hoping to get busy in a little Command & Conquer 4 under Snow Leopard this week -- or any of the other myriad of PC-only gaming options -- virtualization is the only way to go -- short of rebooting into Boot Camp, of course. Parallels is the most commonly used solution, but how does VMware's Fusion 3 stack up for gaming? Not too well, as it turns out. MacTech sat the two down together on matching Mac hardware and ran them through a number of benchmarks, including 3DMark. The results of that test fall heavily in the favor of Parallels, offering better framerates and far more consistent visuals, which you can see for yourself in a video below. Most of the many, many other tests run favor that option as well, but we won't spoil all eight pages worth of results just waiting for you on the other end of that source link.

Continue reading Mac virtualization face-off: VMware Fusion 3 vs. Parallels Desktop 5 (video)

Mac virtualization face-off: VMware Fusion 3 vs. Parallels Desktop 5 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dell collaborating with software makers on virtual PCs

Joshua Topolsky — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 13:49:00 EST

Apparently, Dell is working with VMware (makers of Fusion) and SWsoft (the team behind Parallels) to develop new computers with virtualization features for a new line of the company's PCs. According to reports, Dell's chief technology officer Kevin Kettler confirmed the collaboration at the Linuxworld conference in San Francisco. The plans right now are for the systems to tackle virtual versions of Windows and Linux which could run in tandem on a user's machine, though when asked about support for Apple's OS X on the virtual PCs, Kettler said "I can't speculate on that," but went on to say "virtualization is very powerful. It's an environment that would allow many different operating systems to coexist. You can interpret that however you would like." So -- at least as far as we can tell -- not an out-and-out "no."

[Via Pocket-lint]

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Dell collaborating with software makers on virtual PCs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Aug 2007 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Parallels Desktop beta supports iPhone

Darren Murph — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 09:36:00 EST

Trust us, the irony of someone needing to sync an Apple device through Windows that's running on a Mac is glaringly obvious, but hey, some folks just can't escape Outlook no matter how hard they try. Nevertheless, the new Parallels Desktop beta (which is available now) does add iPhone support in Windows XP and Vista along with a newly fortified Image Tool / Explorer and coherence windows that now work with Expose. Of course, you should recognize that this stuff is indeed still in beta, but if you're the daring (or overly trusting) type, feel free to hit the read link and get your download on.

[Via AppleInsider]

Filed under: Handsets, Software, ATT, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, Apple, iPhone OS

New Parallels Desktop beta supports iPhone originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Aug 2007 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft flip-flops again: now no Vista Home on Macs

Darren Murph — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:44:00 EST

We've seen our fair share of flip-flopping in the past, and Microsoft is yet again adding its name to the frowned upon list by retracting previous intentions to allow Windows Vista Home and Home Premium operating systems to run under virtualization. After reportedly stating that it would "change the EULA after listening to customer feedback on the issue," it appears that the suits in Redmond have thought better of said decision. Now, the firm has "reassessed the Windows virtualization policy and decided that maintaining the original policy announced last Fall" would be best. Ben Rudolph, Parallels director of corporate communications, noted that he was "obviously disappointed" in Microsoft's change of heart, but if the two-faced Mac users out there can persuade Google to take their side, we're sure this little spat could be cleared up in no time.

[Image courtesy of ElliottBack]

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Microsoft flip-flops again: now no Vista Home on Macs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Parallels 3.0 handles 3D gaming, adds SmartSelect integration tool

Darren Murph — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 10:29:00 EST

The folks over at Parallels aren't messing around with these updates, as just about four months after unveiling release candidate 2, the harmony-inducing software is just about ready to hit the big three-o. At long last, the new iteration will purportedly support 3D graphics acceleration, giving Mac users the ability to play OpenGL / DirectX-based games in Windows without having to reboot, and it sounds like you'll be seeing improved shared folder performance as well. Moreover, the SmartSelect integration tool allows you to "open up any file from Windows or Mac OS X using an application from either operating system," which should work nicely alongside Coherence, and the Snapshots feature helps you to store Parallels' virtual machine state so you can roll back when needed and "control levels of integration and isolation using the VM Sentry." Apparently, the software isn't quite ready to hit the masses just yet, but early birds can latch onto the $39.99 upgrade price if you act quickly, while customers who bought in after May 1st will be blessed with the upgrade gratis.

[Via Macworld]

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Parallels 3.0 handles 3D gaming, adds SmartSelect integration tool originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Parallels Desktop comes out of beta, update available

Donald Melanson — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:21:00 EST

It's taken its time cutting its teeth in beta and release candidate versions, but it looks like Parallels has finally grown up, emerging today in its "final version" -- that is, until the inevitable round of non-beta updates begin. Those that have been dealing with the various betas won't find too many surprises in this new version, however, with familiar features like Coherence's seamless application integration and Vista support making an appearance in presumably more stable states. Current Parallels users don't have much to lose with the update though, as its available as a free download for anyone that's already paid their dues. Everyone else can either try out a free 15-day trial or fork over the $80 for the full version. In either case, be prepared to wait in line -- last we checked, Parallels' site was having having some serious trouble coping with the demand.

[Via Infinite Loop]

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Parallels Desktop comes out of beta, update available originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Parallels Desktop for Mac beta build hits Release Candidate 2

Conrad Quilty-Harper — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 03:02:00 EST

It's a sign of the times that only a few days after the consumer release of Windows Vista we're able to talk about a new version of Parallels Desktop that, amongst other new features, improves the experience of running Microsoft's OS on a Mac. This latest beta build (3150, up from the previously released 3036) adds some pretty essential features like full USB 2.0 support, full support for CD and DVD burning within virtual machines, support for conversion of VMware and Virtual PC virtual hard disks to Parallels, true drag and drop functionality, and a new look and feel that meshes more effectively with OS X. On top of these changes, Parallels has improved the Coherence mode (which allows you to run Windows within OS X without switching desktops) so that you can use the dock icon as a start menu, and the use of a Boot Camp partition as a virtual machine. That's a whole lot of improvements for a beta upgrade -- which will currently only accept U.S. serial numbers: live anywhere else and you have to slum it with the 30 day free trial -- although one demographic still won't be happy. Full support for DirectX still hasn't been implemented, so any gamers hoping to ditch that gaming PC (or merely an annoying reboot) will have to continue waiting for the release that does. For all the people out there who like to get things done with their computer, the 40MB download is free, so what are you waiting for?

[Thanks, Chuwy]

Filed under: Desktops

Parallels Desktop for Mac beta build hits Release Candidate 2 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Feb 2007 03:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Parallels to turn it around, help Mac OS onto generic PC boxen

Paul Miller — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 17:25:00 EST

With the popularity of software like Apple's Boot Camp and SWsoft's Parallels, it's no secret that people want to run Windows and Mac OS on the same box, but who says that it has to be an Apple box? Well, Apple does, and the company has staunchly defended itself from the porting of OS X into the mad world of PC generics (not with total success, of course). But with mounting pressure from users and increasing software support from VMware and SWsoft, Steve Jobs might have to let go of his tight grasp on his shiny blue OS -- or at least turn the other way as OS X makes its way onto those vile, inferior, and cheaper x86 machines without his blessing. On that front, there's good news on the horizon: it turns out an upcoming version of Parallels just so happens to "make it easier to run Mac OS on a non-Apple computer," by some unknown but welcome means. VMware's own upcoming virtualization software for the Mac has been hamstrung by the trouble VMware has gone through trying to get Apple's blessing, and SWsoft's Parallels has been "crippled" in particular ways to make it more difficult to get Mac OS onto a non-Apple machine, but it seems like it's only going to get harder for Apple to have it both ways, and Intel's inclusion of virtualization in its own chips just compounds the "problem." Michael Dell has also reconfirmed his desire to pre-load Mac OS onto his own boring boxes "if customers wanted it and Apple would license it on reasonable terms," but that tantalizing offer doesn't seem to have swayed Apple yet.

[Via Techmeme]

Filed under: Desktops, Laptops

Parallels to turn it around, help Mac OS onto generic PC boxen originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Jan 2007 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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