Currently there are only four compatible apps: Duolingo, Evernote, Sight Words, and Vine but Google says they're working with "a select group of Android developers to add more of your favorite apps so you’ll have a more seamless experience across your Android phone and Chromebook."
Ars asked how this works and Google said, "The app code is all running on top of the Chrome platform, specifically inside of Native Client. In this way the ARC (Android Runtime for Chrome) apps run in the same environment as other apps you can download from the Chrome Web Store, even though they are written on top of standard Android APIs. The developers do not need to port or modify their code, though they often choose to improve it to work well with the Chromebook form factor (keyboard, touchpad, optional touchscreen, etc)."
There is no porting required; Google has built an entire Android stack into Chrome OS using Native Client.
You can also tell Google what Android Apps you'd like to see most: http://www.chromebook.com/newapps
Does it mean that the JVM is now included in ChromeOS? Because if it's so, that means hackers will be able to target ChromeOS users by coding java virus programs.
There is no jvm in android. Java the language is distinct from the java virtual machine.
Yeah +Jon Cochran's right, there's no JVM in Android it uses Dalvik and in the most recent versions it uses ART.
Enough bullshit apps! How about some stuff where we can actually get some work done?
Cool your jets.
I find the comment hilarious given you're using an app to post a comment. Either a mobile app, or a web app, but either way you're using an app.
Do you need something to get the runtime for Android apps or is it baked into the app when you download it?
Where can we find these apps? Google Play store? or CHrome Web store?
Edit: Never mind. Found answer in another post.
Nice. I was waiting for that. Would really love to see Skype. Although Im not a big fan of it but I have some old generation folks abroad and all they know is Skype. Try teaching them what's google and hangouts are lol.
+Alex Davidenko Google hangouts video feature no longer require a Google+ account. Maybe and alternative.
+Gary Galmin tnx for the info Sir. But its my grand parents, almost 90 years old…
They are from the era when cars was an innovation.
Can't wait to try it on my Yoga 11e. It arrives tomorrow.
The last thing I need on my "Book" is Android junk.
+K. Christopher Carvalho where can i find that info?
I just bought a Chromebook and I just love it.
+Javier Vazquez Sorry, I would have posted in original, but was tight on time and would have had to leave my already typed comment and redo it. Here it is: https://plus.google.com/101897911017480558067/posts/UkJwywWga4a
Cheers
PS. Join the Chromebooks community for all the info on it. There are several posts, including from people who've tried it.
+susan rattray We have two Chromebooks at my house and totally dig them. The newer ones coming out look ever moar awesome than the current batch too!
Duolingo is 101 MB?
Doesn't this totally destroy Chromebook security? WTF, now we will have antivirus for our Chromebooks. I think this is a big mistake.
+Izzy Lamantia I think the first download of any of these Android apps also downloads the 100MB stack that runs on top of Chrome OS to allow these apps to work. Subsequent downloads should be smaller.
+Charles Frank My guess is that if it affected security, they wouldn't have done it.
Presumably ARC is similar the new ART coming in Android L. If that is correct then many more apps will work on chrome as L rolls out. Very exciting.
Not sure what the advantage of running the Android Duolingo is, given that the website works better and has more languages available on it.
If this can be ported to Linux running android Skype would be a nice alternative to the very outdated Linux client!
I use Evernote's premium version and was hoping that this new Chrome app would take advantage of the key premium feature: the ability to use it offline.
Unfortunately, it does not appear to allow for that. It does not download the files to the local storage. It remains a purely cloud based.
+Charles Frank it doesn't affect security. It's actually way safer than regular Chrome apps and extensions. If you don't watch permissions, then a malicious extension can for example get all your passwords. But these Android apps run in isolated environment, so it can't do anything wrong.
nice.
now that Evernote is a Chromebook app, Google really needs to step up the features in Keep to keep it afloat. What I would really love to see is web clipping in Keep. And, a little more integration with Keep and Drive because I use Drive for files and documents, and Keep for notes (and hopefully, one day, web clipped notes).
+Andrew Boddie Or just buy Evernote…..
+K. Christopher Carvalho – I used to use Evernote (and still have the account) – an excellent feature loaded app. I simply prefer using integrated Google products when possible (one login). With Drive and a little better enhanced Keep, there's no need for Evernote, in my mind. The less login accounts for me, the better. Peace.
+Andrew Boddie I know, but if they buy Evernote, they'd integrate it into Drive and probably roll Keep into it. Easier to buy a good established product than try to reinvent the wheel. 🙂 Oh, and I'm with you on the one login thing.
Finally!
So, does anyone think that this is the feature that should finally make me break down and buy a Chromebook?
Will this FINALLY bring offline capabilities to Evernote on Chromebooks?
I tried it. It looks like the answer is "no". No offline capability.
Photo editing apps please