It looks like Android devices will soon be able to run software built for Windows, largely due to CodeWeavers’ CrossOver for Android, which is a compatibility layer that, well, let’s you run Windows apps on Android!
Originally, CodeWeavers’ was a company that was just building Windows compatibility layers for Linux and Mac, but the developer began working on doing the same for Android a couple of years ago. Under this CrossOver for Android initiative is the Wine open source project, which CodeWeavers has helped fund for years now.
CodeWeavers announced that a tech demo of CrossOver for Android will be available at the end of this year. While it won’t be even near perfection, CrossOver should let you play things like World of Warcraft or League of Legends on your Android device. Crazy, huh? Those interested can sign up to be notified when it’s available here.
There’s a small caveat, though. CrossOver for Android won’t work on every device. In fact, it’ll only function with a Android x86-based system. In other words, you’ll need a smartphone or tablet with an Intel or AMD chipset. CrossOver just won’t function with ARM-based processors, largely because Windows binaries are x86 or x64 applications.
To work on an ARM-based system, CrossOver or Wine, as PC World points out, would need to contain some sort of virtual machine. And even then, you’d need a massive battery and some better cooling for that to function properly.
There’s also another small thing. Software on Windows isn’t generally built for touchscreens, making playing something like World of Warcraft or League of Legends on your Android system a difficult thing. That said, those interested in CrossOver would have to not only buy an Intel-based tablet, but also look into some keyboard and mouse accessories. In other words, you’re going to need to meet a lot of requirements for this to work.
Either way, it’s still a cool idea and will give those who meet those requirements some cool possibilities. Compatibility layers have always intrigued me personally, and it often makes you wonder who will provide the first operating system that offers this sort of universal cross compatibility?
Definitely a technology for the future, but it’s not a far-fetched thought.
source: PC World
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