MUST READ: Microsoft unleashes bug bounty program — for betas, too

Topic: Mobility

Discover

Run Android apps on your Microsoft Surface Pro with BlueStacks

Summary: There are plenty of apps for Windows 8 in the Windows Store, but there are thousands more for Android. With the free BlueStacks application you can now run your favorite Android apps on your Surface Pro.

Matthew Miller

By for The Mobile Gadgeteer |

It took some effort to purchase my 128GB Surface Pro, but I now have it setup with VPN and all of my engineering apps so it is my first super portable computer that doesn't limit me on the go. I just read this morning over on the Android Central website that I can now also run Android apps on my Surface Pro with the free BlueStacks software. While there are plenty of my favorite apps in the Windows Store that have the Metro UI, I appreciate the ability to be able to use some of the apps I already purchased on my Android devices.

Angry Birds Star Wars is available on all platforms, but without a central login system you have to choose just one or else you have to play through on each device. I enjoy playing on my Note II and have held back paying $4.99 for the Windows 8 version. With BlueStacks I should be able to play the Android version I already bought, but I will still have to start over on my Surface Pro.

As I look at my Note II, Nexus 7, and Surface Pro, I can see there are still Android apps I want to run on the Surface Pro so BlueStacks may be quite useful. For example, I plan to test TripIt, Alaska Airlines, USAA Bank, Plume (Twitter apps on Windows 8 still need lots of work), Flipboard, Pocket, Google Play Magazines (Nook does a good job with mags too), Amazon MP3, Play Music, and Google Drive. Many of these services can be accessed via the full web browser on Windows 8, but often a dedicated app has a better user interface and is more enjoyable to use.

What apps would you use with BlueStacks on a Surface Pro?

Related ZDNet Surface coverage:

Topics: Mobility, Android, Microsoft Surface, Windows 8

Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily email newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.

Talkback

16 comments
Log in or register to join the discussion

  • I've tried bluestacks

    Unless they've made significant improvements...1) Bluestacks was a memory-hog 2) I couldn't get it not to always start with windows unless I uninstalled it. 3) Then you spoke above about using already purchased apps. These did not run properly within bluestacks. As of about 3-4months ago, it did not paid-Android Market apps. 4) The Android Market was not available unless you hacked it with a really complicated process. 5) The synchonization process between your android machines in the cloud was buggy. --- uninstalled after many attempts -- I figured that maybe in the future this would be a product worth considering. But unless they really got it off the ground it isn't worth investing the time and effort.
    zocolofishing
    Reply 1 Vote

    • Bluestacks file system - Another huge one

      A huge problem was getting to the filesystem in bluestacks... You cannot get to the filesystem as you can in your real android device. - Big problem!
      zocolofishing
      Reply 1 Vote

  • Why bother ?

    Android apps soon to run in Chrome OS. This will happen by 12/2013

    Sums up the shortcomings of the surface pro, it has an identity crisis and lack of apps for the format.
    Alan Smithie
    Reply 1 Vote

    • Another foolish comment

      From a *nix acolyte
      archangel9999
      Reply 4 Votes

      • Why bother with Apps if you have Surface pro?

        I found it even for the Apps that are in the Metro offering that I keep on going to the browser or getting a dedicated application because Metro App is not good enough or complete enough, so it has been kind of bother. You open eBay app but soon find yourself on the desktop browser because some important application is not there. Now having said this, I do not feel limited by Surface Pro because I know I can do anything I want. This great feeling you'd never get on iPad or Nexus 10.
        So I feel except for some kind of apps like eReader apps, perhaps on Surface pro, you probably do not need all kinds of Apps.
        WadoodChaudhary
        Reply Vote

    • Chrome OS?

      Who cares about this expensive browser?
      Mr.SV
      Reply 4 Votes

    • Chrome OS are for idiots

      And perfectly suits you....
      Owlll1net
      Reply 5 Votes

      • Owlll1net only your post are for IDIOTS

        And that perfectly suits you....Owlll1net
        Linux_Forever
        Reply Vote

  • Run Android apps on your Microsoft Surface Pro with BlueStacks

    Don't see the point in running a slimmed down version of a linux app that may give you malware or force close on you. You are using a Microsoft Surface Pro you would be better off just downloading the native Microsoft Windows application and running that.
    Loverock-Davidson
    Reply 3 Votes

    • Running Android apps on your Microsoft Surface Pro can oNLY make it better

      Loverock the point in running a slimmed down version of a linux app is so that any malware wont be forced on you. If your stuck using a Microsoft Surface Pro you would be better off not downloading the native Microsoft Windows application because of all the weekly patching to keep it free from every dispicable form of malware out there.
      Linux_Forever
      Reply Vote

    • What native Microsoft Windows apps? Not for Win 8.

      The problem is that there are so few worthwile apps available in the Windows 8 store, and they are growing at an alarmingly slow rate. I have a Windows 8 tablet, a Windows 7 tablet, an Android tablet, and an iPad 3. Windows 8 is pathetic with regard to its app selection. Now if you were referring to regular ol' Windows 7 applications, it's true that there are plenty of those if you have the money to buy them. Which brings up my last point--apps are often more expensive for Windows than the same app for Android or iOS.
      Photog7
      Reply Vote

  • What about security?

    I won't let anything Google to run on my machines....All Google domains and ad servers are blocked using host file...except YouTube.
    Owlll1net
    Reply 3 Votes

    • Wow i thought i was the only one that did that.

      Except it block microsoft, hotmail, live & bing.
      Don't use there services, So i don't need to accidentally/be redirected contact there sites.
      Anthony E
      Reply Vote

  • Windows > Android

    Try running a Windows 8 application on an Android or iOS tablet ROFL. The latter are toys in comparison.
    Tim Acheson
    Reply 3 Votes

  • Just about every fortune 500 company runs multiple OS's.

    Just about every fortune 500 company runs multiple OS's from Linux, Window, VMS, CICS and CTSS. I purchased a copy of VMware and I can run all OS's.
    Tim Jordan
    Reply Vote

  • Win-Win Situation

    On the one hand, Microsoft gets instant access to a whole horde of touch-enabled apps to boost its flagging ecosystem. On the other hand, Android devs get access to a market that might only be worth a few percent extra in volume, but it comes without them doing any extra work at all.

    What's not to like?
    ldo17
    Reply Vote
CNET Join | Log In | Privacy | Cookies Close