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Intel, AMD and ARM: Windows 11 will run Android apps on any processor

One of the most unexpected announcements at the online presentation of the new Windows 11 operating system was the ability to natively run Android applications in it. Microsoft said that the innovation does not work using emulation technologies. As it turned out, the new Intel Bridge compiler will be involved. And even though it was developed by processor manufacturer Intel, the feature won’t be exclusive with limited support for Intel-based computers only. AMD and ARM processors are also listed to support Android applications.

Intel considers it important to provide Bridge functionality on x86 platforms, therefore, has created a compiler taking into account support for all platforms based on this architecture, including AMD. According to the statement, Bridge is a runtime post-compiler that converts applications compiled for non-x86 platforms (Android) into x86 instructions (which can run on Windows 11 with Intel or AMD processors). In a sense, it is the reverse analogue of Apple’s Rosetta technology, which is used in Mac computers with an M1 processor to convert x86 applications to ARM architecture.

It is assumed that Windows devices with ARM processors that do not need an additional compilation layer will be able to run Android applications without Intel Bridge. However, the Microsoft developers themselves have not yet revealed details about how the innovation will work from the technical side.

Recall that Android applications will appear in Windows 11 as part of a partnership between Microsoft and Amazon. A special section of the Amazon Appstore will be introduced into the updated Microsoft Store, where users will be able to download various applications originally developed for Android. You will need an Amazon account to work with them. Among other things, Android applications can be added to the Start menu, to the desktop and pinned to the taskbar just like familiar Windows programs. Performance requirements remain open until the release of Windows 11.

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