AMD and BlueStacks to Offer Dual-OS Android Solution to Retail

AMD stated at the Mobile World Congress the retail availability of a new BlueStacks dual-OS Android solution, optimized for AMD APUs, with expected consumer availability in the second half of 2014. The AMD and BlueStacks joint solution brings the complete Google Android OS experience to select Microsoft Windows-based AMD-based tablets, 2-in-1s, notebooks and desktops in select retail stores. 

The availability in retail stores of the virtualized Android solution, unveiled at CES earlier this year, will allow consumers to easily access both Windows and Android environments, side-by-side, on select AMD-based PCs. The BlueStacks solution will first be made available with several key retail partners across EMEA later this year, including Elkjop Group. 

"The ability to span two OS ecosystems gives end-users access to both Windows and Android apps, but the key is providing for the seamless integration of entertainment and productivity across those ecosystems," said Steve Belt, corporate vice president, Product Management, at AMD. "Introducing our solution in retail puts AMD and BlueStacks in a unique position to offer in-store customers the option to include access to this great experience at the time of purchase of their new systems."

PC buyers will have the choice of an AMD-BlueStacks upgrade when buying an AMD-based PC at select retailers. Easy integration of BlueStacks for retail customers effectively bridges the divide between mobile and PC, and the retail solution requires no additional driver or extension support. 

The retail version of BlueStacks running on a Windows PC powered by select AMD APUs offers:

• A familiar Android user interface, including settings, configuration and customization controls;
• The ability to run Android apps within a window or at full-screen resolution leveraging direct access to AMD graphics processing power;
• Support for hundreds of thousands of Android apps direct from various Android app stores, as well as synchronization between the same apps being run on the user's stand-alone Android devices;
• Seamless interoperability through direct file sharing that enables Android apps to access files stored within the Windows file system; and
• Support for sensors like built-in cameras, accelerometer, gyroscope and others.

"'Android-Ready PCs are the future. With BlueStacks technology, consumers can turn their AMD Windows-based PC into an Android-ready device and enjoy mobile content, games and apps on their PC and sync with their mobile phone," said Rosen Sharma, CEO, BlueStacks. "Retail availability brings our solution to the masses, and AMD shares our enthusiasm in giving consumers the ability to enjoy Android entertainment and useful apps together with Windows productivity and gaming, on a single PC." 

As with the AMD-BlueStacks solution announced at CES 2014, the retail solution won't require the user to disengage from one OS before using another; the AMD and BlueStacks solution runs Android virtually within Windows. The customization, settings and personalization capabilities expected from an Android device are made available in a Windows environment. The retail solution also supports easy synchronization of the two environments through BlueStack's FoneLink service that enables AMD Windows-based PCs to become an extension of Android mobile devices and vice versa.