BlueStacks, the folks who brought Android apps to Windows and Mac computers via their "Layercake" emulation magic has announced that they are partnering with AMD to offer access to Android apps on Windows computers using AMD's storefront. At current count, BlueStacks figures there will be over 500,000 Android apps available to over 100 million Windows computers.
That's a lot of apps on a lot of computers.
As part of the partnership, AMD will be launching and Android-app centric space on the AMD AppZone. Don't let the importance of this one slip away from you. What it means is that users (that's us!) can surf to the AMD AppZone, click on an icon, and a working version of the app will automatically download, configure and install on the computer. I tested it with the Pulse app, and I'm pretty impressed. Making it easy to deliver your content means more people will use your content.
Another benefit of the AMD BlueStacks partnership is the GPU and APU optimization AMD has done for their processor architecture. AMD powers many mid-range consumer computers, and owners now have an easy portal for apps. Lots of apps.We're not sure how this strategy will play out, but we expect that as Windows 8 touch screen enabled devices begin to proliferate, it's a market worth tapping into. Hit the break for a short video and the full press release.
BlueStacks Powers AMD AppZone Player to bring 500000 apps to >100 million Windows Based PCs
BlueStacks Enables New Mobile-like Revenue Models for AMD’s PC OEM Customers
Campbell, California, September 27, 2012.
BlueStacks today announced a collaboration with AMD (NYSE: AMD) to launch AMD AppZone, the largest collection of Android apps for PCs. Powered by BlueStacks, the AMD AppZone Player brings hundreds of thousands of Android apps to the next generation of Windows 8 based slates, laptops, tablets and AiO desktop PCs. AppZone is also available for AMD’s massive global installed base of Windows 7 based PCs. The collaboration with BlueStacks with optimizations for AMD GPU and APU technology enables a superior experience on AMD powered PCs relative to other app stores like AppUp. .
Starting today, consumers can directly access the AMD AppZone through their online website at www.amd.com/appzone and browse through the featured apps that are free to download. AMD and BlueStacks are also working with leading PC manufacturers to preload AppZone and popular Android apps on new PCs. The apps are available in multiple languages including English, German, Korean, Chinese Simplified and Traditional, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, across all categories like games, social, news, shopping, music, business and education.
“AMD and BlueStacks are making the emerging Android market part of the broader PC ecosystem with the introduction of AppZone,” said Manju Hegde, corporate vice president, Heterogeneous Applications and Developer Solutions at AMD. “With the new Windows 8 operating system just around the corner, we’re excited to enable exciting new solutions for our PC customers and end users to experience.”
“App stores and apps represent a multi-billion dollar opportunity. BlueStacks powered business models are ready to disrupt the PC industry by leveraging the unprecedented growth in the mobile eco-system”, said Rosen Sharma, CEO of BlueStacks. “By partnering with AMD, we are able to bring 500,000 apps to Windows 8 and the broader installed base of PCs. That’s significantly more apps than any existing PC app store including Intel AppUp or the Windows 8 App Store.”
Renowned PC analyst Tim Bajarin added, “This is the right move and a winning proposition for BlueStacks, AMD and for the entire PC ecosystem. Everyone is eagerly anticipating Windows 8, but consumers want a broad selection of familiar apps now. AMD and BlueStacks have addressed that in a big way.”
Resources
- Download free Android apps from AMD AppZone (www.amd.com/appzone)
- Learn more about AppZone for PC OEMs
- Follow BlueStacks on Twitter at @bluestacksinc
- Follow AMD updates on Twitter at @AMDSoftware
- Learn more about AMD Accelerated Processing Units (APUs)
About BlueStacks
BlueStacks is a software company that enables Android apps to run on Notebooks, Desktops, All-in-One PCs, Slates and Tablets. BlueStacks was founded in 2009 by Rosen Sharma, is privately held and headquartered in Silicon Valley with global offices in India, Taiwan and Japan. For more information visit http://www.bluestacks.com/, or join their over 1,000,000 Facebook fans at www.facebook.com/bluestacksinc
About AMD
AMD (NYSE: AMD) is a semiconductor design innovator leading the next era of vivid digital experiences with its groundbreaking AMD Fusion Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) that power a wide range of computing devices. AMD’s server computing products are focused on driving industry-leading cloud computing and virtualization environments. AMD’s superior graphics technologies are found in a variety of solutions ranging from game consoles, PCs to supercomputers. For more information, visit http://www.amd.com.
