Google takes on Microsoft with its latest tool that lets users install Android apps on Windows

Earlier today, Google released a new tool that allows users, especially developers install Android apps on Windows, Mac, Linux and ChromeOS. The tool, dubbed as App Runtime for Chrome is a Chrome app that you can install from here. The tool works pretty simply: you just chose an .APK and it’ll install the app as a Chrome app on your Windows laptop.

As you can see in the above screenshot, I was able to run Twitter for Android on my Windows 10 PC. However, as it looks like, running all the apps on Windows might be difficult for some users. For example, I tried to install Snapchat – and it installed, but when I tried to sign up, it said my device requires Google Play Services. The tool does allow users to install Play Services, but it’s quite difficult.

Google’s latest tool is a major threat to Microsoft and the Windows platform. The Google Play store has more than 1 million apps and allowing the latest tool from Google allows users to install it on their Windows computer, and Chromebooks. When Chrome OS first launched, the most disappointing fact about the OS was that it was only a web browser and users couldn’t install any software which is why the OS was struggling. However, if Google eventually makes this tool user-friendly and pre-install it on Chrome OS, users will be able to download a wide range of apps which will be a threat to Windows.

What do you think? Discuss in the comment section below.