Android apps coming to the Windows Phone Store?

7. Finalflash (Posts: 3527; Member since: 23 Jul 2013)

This is actually kind of bad for non-hardcore WP users because it gives the impression that the OS is lacking and has to borrow from a "better" or more developed OS. It is fine as a stop gap measure but it needs native content fast so the image isn't ruined and new users are disillusioned by it.

34. sgodsell (Posts: 4855; Member since: 16 Mar 2013)

Never mind WP has always given the impression that the OS is lacking and is adding features that Android currently enjoys. This is a fact. Not only that WP is still missing features. To this day their still isn't even a file explorer for any WP device. You state that WP needs native content fast, so how do you get native content fast?

77. NokiaFTW (Posts: 2072; Member since: 24 Oct 2012)

Its already getting native content support. And WP doesn't lag behind Android in any department, no matter what you say. There might be a few apps missing, but most of the important ones are covered.

13. rodneyej1 (Posts: 3576; Member since: 06 Jul 2013)

No, we have something good already, and we're getting tons more with WP8.1-0xxxx.
...............
No need for this foolishness... Besides, isn't it kinda hypocritical for MS to down on Google then use their apps??.. I don't like this.. We don't need Androids help.

29. jroc74 (Posts: 6019; Member since: 30 Dec 2010)

Yea. Its extremely hypocritical if MS does this. I said it before...that Scroogled campaign was a waste of money seeing as how WP user use Chrome more than Bing.....it will be an even bigger waste if they do this.

30. akki20892 (Posts: 3902; Member since: 04 Feb 2013)

Dude we use Google more than Bing. Not chrome.
But I use bing too for rewards. Bing is great and Google is unbeatable.

52. jroc74 (Posts: 6019; Member since: 30 Dec 2010)

Thats right....I get confused with this stuff at times. My mistake. :-)

49. rodneyej1 (Posts: 3576; Member since: 06 Jul 2013)

Well, I prefer Bing.. I like to be different, and Bing has way more features... Looks better also..

61. hurrycanger (Posts: 1625; Member since: 01 Dec 2013)

Bing is so much better when searching for "bad videos", lol. Just type "schoolgirl" and everything is right there on the first page, even if the search filter is ON. Google cannot do that even if the safe search filter is turned off.
Yep, just the word "schoolgirl". ;)

80. rodneyej1 (Posts: 3576; Member since: 06 Jul 2013)

Porn is good... Yes, it's good..
.................
Hey, disabling that safe search feature on IE10 is worth more than all the features your buddies say WP doesn't have.. Lol!

89. hurrycanger (Posts: 1625; Member since: 01 Dec 2013)

I use Chrome, so... well. And what features and what buddies are you talking about. I'm very out of track here... (no, seriously, I'm lost) What do safe search on IE have to do with features WP doesn't have?
Anyway, I think Microsoft needs to filter Bing more. It's pretty inappropriate to show a whole bunch of porn links as top results just for the word "schoolgirl", especially when the search filter is on.
But well... who knows. Maybe Microsoft considers that a strong point? B-)

50. rodneyej1 (Posts: 3576; Member since: 06 Jul 2013)

Well, I prefer Bing.. I like to be different, and Bing has way more features... Looks better also..
...............
But, that's besides the point..

98. lyndon420 (Posts: 5000; Member since: 11 Jul 2012)

I agree 100% bud. I'm sure as time goes on WP will catch up there will be little to no app gap. But yeah it would be hypocritical of ms to go this way just to try and sell devices. I'm an Android guy, but seriously...why would I want to buy a ms device if my intention was to run Android apps on it??? If I wanted ms apps, the obvious choice would be to adopt the entire platform properly by utilizing the hardware that's actually designed to run said platform's app's etc.

28. akki20892 (Posts: 3902; Member since: 04 Feb 2013)

Great news, bring it quick.

6. Finalflash (Posts: 3527; Member since: 23 Jul 2013)

Yes, basically it just needs an emulator to convert the java code into byte code the windows phone can understand. That is how all java stuff works, on a virtual machine, so it can be used anywhere. The Android SDK on windows for example has Android emulators for a lot of their hardware for developers to test on.

79. elgavilan (Posts: 1; Member since: 12 Feb 2014)

Not just a java VM...also need to emulate the Android API and hardware layers. Also some Android apps actually execute native bytecode (compiled from C++) which means you would also have to translate API and hardware calls for that (bytecode emulation/translation probably wouldn't be much of an issue as most Windows phones run Qualcomm CPUs)

15. rodneyej1 (Posts: 3576; Member since: 06 Jul 2013)

They might just allow developers to submit emulators to the store,, as simple as that.. That might be what al the fuss is about.. After all, one developer did mention yesterday that MS was letting up on the OS to let developers do a lot more of what they've already been able to do on other platforms... Sounds like MS is just opening up WP a bit more.. Which is a good idea..

33. sgodsell (Posts: 4855; Member since: 16 Mar 2013)

It is more then just making an emulator. You have to emulate Android's UI and input methods as well. Not to mention access to hardware like cameras, sensors, open gl, access to the filesystem/directories and the list goes on.
Currently right now there isn't even a file explorer on any WP device. Just one of the many restrictions on WP.

51. rodneyej1 (Posts: 3576; Member since: 06 Jul 2013)

You're really stuck on this file explorer mentality.. When was the last time you even used a WP device?.. Usually when someone thinks that WP is lacking so much, and is a drag to use, they've never even owned a WP8 device.. Does your opinion matter?

66. corporateJP (Posts: 2458; Member since: 28 Nov 2009)

Quit insulting people that don't ride the jock of Microsoft as hard as you do, his reply has some legitimacy to it.

73. luxzy801 (Posts: 140; Member since: 16 Jun 2010)

WP is lacking bro, comparing it to WinMo (im not gonna drag Droid into this). With WinMo, you had a computer in your hands, literally. You can do everything from having full access to system files to editing the registry to make it work like you want it to. Back in the day, when pix messages were limited to 500kb, i jacked my MDA to receive pix messages up to 2MB. Can you do that with WP. I said this before and I will say it again (I hope your listening Microsoft). If I wanted an iPhone, i would buy an iPhone, not your crap. And this is all coming from a loyal WinMo fanboy that is STILL using his HD2 as a daily driver LOL.

81. joey_sfb (Posts: 6600; Member since: 29 Mar 2012)

Agreed. I was always wondering why WinMo can do more things than current wp phones.

Only thing I can think of is Microsoft trying to emulate Apple success.

10. rodneyej1 (Posts: 3576; Member since: 06 Jul 2013)

Are you saying that WP8.0-3black isn't enough OS for the average user?
Are you saying that WP8.1-0xxxx isn't enough OS for the average user?
..........................
I think we all know by now that WP US, and China, market share isn't low because of the OS.... And, lets not forget the fact that WP is doing great in several markets around the world... No need to panic..

17. alterecho (Posts: 1099; Member since: 23 Feb 2012)

"Are you saying that WP8.0-3black isn't enough OS for the average user?". It really isn't. Its an insult to anyone's intelligence.

As for 8.1, cant say since we don't have it yet and its going to be announced in April and its RTM is god knows when.

"I think we all know by now that WP US, and China, market share isn't low because of the OS"
It isn't low because of Nokia. It isn't high because of the OS.

22. NokiaFTW (Posts: 2072; Member since: 24 Oct 2012)

Are you done with the trolls? No can we please have a decent DISCUSSION on this article (only WP users, fans or enthusiasts) ?

24. alterecho (Posts: 1099; Member since: 23 Feb 2012)

I'm a WP user (but definitely not its fan or enthusiast).