AMD announced last week its investment in BlueStacks, a global software firm which recently introduced BlueStacks App Player for Windows solution, allowing Android apps to run on any x86-based Windows PC, laptop, or tablet. The solution will be powered by AMD APUs and leverage AMD VISION Technology.
The AMD-BlueStacks collaboration is generating excitement among Android enthusiasts, as BlueStacks App Player for Windows solution enables access to the 200,000 plus apps available in the Android Market from any AMD-fueled Windows-based device. The use of BlueStacks App Player for Windows allows Android applications to run on Windows-based machines without requiring additional development efforts or modification.
AMD’s investment in BlueStacks is part of the chip-maker’s AMD Fusion Fund, a program that invests in organizations deploying innovative digital solutions based on AMD APU technology.
"Bluestacks is a visionary software company that is, seamlessly, making the emerging Android mobile apps market part of the broader computing ecosystem and enhancing such experiences on our award-winning APU platforms," said Manju Hegde, corporate vice president, AMD Fusion Experience Program, in a statement. "AMD is committed to support such game changing innovators through investment and other activity as we work together to usher in new experiences that allow consumers to enjoy the full capabilities of the brilliant graphics and computing performance enabled by AMD."
Hedge views the AMD Fusion Fund and AMD Fusion Experience Program as a "compelling" value-add to the channel, as it helps resellers provide more all-inclusive solutions to their customers and enhances the end-user experience overall. With the BlueStacks investment, specifically, Hedge told CRN that the transferability of Android touch capabilities onto Windows devices could position itself particularly well within the channel.
"When you look at the Android operating system, it was designed with touch in mind. All the touch-enabled apps translate onto the Windows platform [through BlueStacks]," Hedge told CRN. "If you look at the channel, I think this is the one place where this will immediately come to mind, for the offering of all-in-ones."
The alpha release of the BlueStacks App Player for Windows is already available, and is downloadable, free of charge.
