Running Windows software on Android and Chrome OS could soon be possible

Crossover is software that allows you to run Windows based applications on a Linux or MAC computer.

CodeWeavers, the company that developed CrossOver, has been working on an Android version of the tool that would allow you to run Windows programs on Android devices.

Last month, Google made its Play store available to at least three Chromebooks, allowing its users to run apps developed for Android phones on their machines.

This means that users of compatible Chromebooks will also be able to run Windows programs by installing the CrossOver app for Android. However, for now, this software will not run all Windows applications or even all Windows applications that you can run on Linux or MAC platforms using Crossover.

While CodeWeavers’ Android app has yet to be released, the Minnesota-based company posted a video on its official blog this week showing the Windows game Limbo and the Steam game client running on an Acer Chromebook.

The company said CrossOver for Android supports DirectX 9 graphics and detects keyboard and mouse input.

It is worth mentioning that the software works only with the devices that have x86 processors. Since a large number of Android smartphones and tablets are powered by chips made by ARM, most of their users will not be able to run Crossover.

But, most Chromebooks have Intel processors, and they would be the main beneficiaries of Crossover once Google extends its Android app support to these machines and once this software is officially released.

Android app support is currently available on the Acer Chromebook R11, Google Chromebook Pixel, and Asus Chromebook Flip, but Google has said it will roll out the feature to other Chromebooks on the market later this year as well.

Since Chromebooks tend to be cheaper compared to Windows, MAC and Apple OS X laptops, their sales have increased in recent years.

However, due to its lack of support for Microsoft Office, Photoshop, and many other programs, critics call Chrome OS “just a browser” that “doesn’t work without an Internet connection.”

But the arrival of the Google Play Store will make Chrome OS a powerful and versatile operating system.

And, support for even some Windows apps would be a useful addition and is expected to further boost sales of Chromebooks.

If you want to be notified about the official release of Crossover for Android, you can email CodeWeavers at [email protected], the company said.