You can now run Android Lollipop on Windows 10

AMIDuOS

A company better known for producing the BIOS, the precursor to the UEFI, has unveiled a piece of software that brings Android 5.0.1 to the Windows environment, including Windows 10.

AMI's AMIDUoS allows owners of Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 computers to run Lollipop on their computer, including compatibility with Android's ART runtime, native support for 64-bit apps and more.

Android 5.0.1 essentially runs within a virtual machine and accesses native PC hardware and drivers. That means that peripherals like the touchscreen, sensors, GPS, the camera and more can be accessed by Google's OS.

The downside is that it will likely request more resources from the host computer.

What's more, both OSes integrate tightly; the clipboard is shared as are directories which means that you will be able to save files and open them independently on either OS.

Running Android apps on Windows allow you to access apps that aren't usually available on a desktop or are not available for free.

The application is currently in beta and costs $10 (about £6, AU$13) and comes with lifetime updates. AMIDuOS faces stiff competition from BlueStacks (which is free), Google's own ARC Welder Youwave, Genymotion and AndY.

Desire Athow
Managing Editor, TechRadar Pro

Désiré has been musing and writing about technology during a career spanning four decades. He dabbled in website builders and web hosting when DHTML and frames were in vogue and started narrating about the impact of technology on society just before the start of the Y2K hysteria at the turn of the last millennium.