ARC Welder App runs @Android Apps on Windows PC - How ARC with Dalvik VM brings @Google Android 4.4 Kitkat Apps Global

It was only a matter of time before Google Play Store began to expand outside of the Android sandbox on Smartphones and Tablets.

Google has announced their latest Developer tool, the ARC (App Runtime for Chrome) Welder, a Google Chrome  App that allows persons using Google Chrome to run Google Android Apps as noted in the article “Google ARC beta brings Android apps to Windows, Mac and Linux”, published April 2, 2015 By Brad Jones, DigitalTrends.

Thus Apps run as if on a Google Android smartphone or Tablet without crashing as explained in the article “Google’s ARC Beta runs Android apps on Chrome OS, Windows, Mac, and Linux”, published April 1, 2015 6:08pm by Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica.

What is ARC Welder anyway? Also, how did Google achieve this marvel of Programming using theARC Welder?

Google's ARC Reactor - Google goes Tony Stark with Dalvik VM for Android 4.4 Kitkat

ARC Welder uses Google Chrome as the sandbox to run your Google Android Apps.

It mainly supports Apps that run on Google Android 4.4 KitKat as it uses Dalvik VM and not faster Android Run Time (ART) which Apps made for Google Android 5.0 Lollipop uses. So it's run a bit slower than on your Android Smartphone or Tablet, but you'll not notice this, being as you'll be awed that you can even run Android Apps on your Desktop.

What that means is not only can you run Google Android apps on Google Chromebooks, but potentially on any Windows, Linux or Apple Mac OS computer running Google Chrome. This as the ARC Welder App is running a technology called Native Client (NaCL), a Google Chrome sandboxing technology that allows Chrome apps and plug-in to take full advantage of the system's CPU and GPU.

Thus a Developer merely needs to have their App tested and re-packaged in an APK (Android Application Package) format and submitted to the Chrome Web Store as explained in the Getting Started with ARC Welder webpage on the Google Chrome Developer website.

However, the exciting bit is that this is akin to running an APK using BlueStacks App Player or the Andy App Player as described in my blog article entitled “How to use the Andy App Player to play Android Apps on PC or Laptop - Android and Windows Live-OS swappable Project looks more possible”

ANYONE with a regular computer user can download ANY APK and run them using the ARC Welder as explained in the article “You can now run Android apps on a Mac or PC with Google Chrome”, published April 3, 2015 04:37 am By Tom Warren , The Verge.

This as there is really no official process for porting Android Apps to run viaARC Welder.

In fact, Developer submitting their APK files to the Chrome Web Store to become ARC Welder compatible is merely to make it easy on End users, as many End Users may be wary of installing software to run Google Android Apps, especially as it’s so easy on their smartphones and Tablets.

ARC Welder App allows Android Apps to run on Windows PC - How ARC opens up Google Android Apps to the World

The ARC Welder App is an improvement on the ARC (App Runtime for Chrome) launched back in September 2014 as announced in their Press Release entitled “First set of Android apps coming to a Chromebook near you”, published September 11, 2014, Google Chrome blog  

ARC Welder also allows Google Chomebooks, basically stripped down Macbook-esque Laptops running Google Chrome Browser as its OS (Operating System) to run Google Android Apps directly from the Google Play Store as explained in the article “Android apps like Vine, Evernote, others arrive on Chromebooks, Google says”, published September 11, 2014 By Konrad Krawczyk, DigitalTrends.

At the time, only four (4) Apps could run on Google Chromebooks using ARC Welder on a per-developer work basis as noted in the article “Chromebooks land first batch of Android apps”, published September 11, 2014 1:06 PM PDT by Seth Rosenblatt, CNET News but that range soon expanded rapidly to basically include almost any app packaged in APK you can download in the Google Play Store.

Benefits of ARC Welders – Google Developers Write once Run Anywhere with own App Stores

This developement was probably why Google Chromebooks, which account for 1% of the PC market, are so popular with the K-12 School System in the US of A, at least according to analyst IDC as noted in my blog article entitled “IDC Stats say Google Chromebooks dominates U.S. K-12 School System - 1 TB Free Google Drive as Microsoft HP Stream and 12.9-inch Apple iPad in 2015”.

Kids can now run their favourite Google Android apps not only on their smartphones and Tablets, but also their Google Chromebooks, Windows PC, Mac OS and Linux Computers. Only device running Apple iOS cannot run ARC Welder.

This now puts Apple iOS in a spot. 

Effectively, Developers, once they’re registered with Google as Developers, can write their Apps and package (or repackage as the case may be) them as APK’s and have it run anywhere, be it as an officially submitted APK to the Chrome Web Store or downloaded from your Developer website.

The marketing and advertising opportunities are endless, as you can basically be your own App Store, making revenue from advertising or any other means DIRECTLY from the end-user downloading your APK’s.

Still, many Bugs  are still left to be sorted out, such as the inability to run multiple apps and some apps not being properly emulated by ARC Welder as noted in the article “Here's how to run Android apps on Chrome with Google's new tool”, published Apr 3, 2015 by Mark Hachman, PC World.

The closest thing they have to running iOS apps on any other system other than Apple Mac, iPhones, iPads and the rest of the Apple family is Apple iCloud along with the Apple iWorks Pages, Numbers and Keynote apps as noted in my MICO Wars blog article entitled “Apple iWorks for iCloud Beta now Free for Windows, Linux OS and Google Chrome OS”.

Apple has some serious catching up to do……

Here’s the link:

App Runtime for Chrome (Beta)

Chrome Web Store

ARC Welder Developer webpage

Google Chrome Developer website

@sxsw @AppMeerkat vs @Twitter’s @periscopeco – How Periscope submarine-like launch sunk the Meerkat Destroyer

I personally thought the latest thing to come out of SXSW (South by South West) 2015 on Monday March 16^th 2015 was going to be the AeroMobil Hybrid Car-Plane  as predicted in my blog article entitled “@aeromobil Hybrid Car-Plane prototype - How Mind Controlled Autonomous Flying-Vehicles will Revolutionize Road Trips in the Future”.

Boy was I wrong.

It now seems that the instant Live streaming App Meerkat was the toast of the festival, mainly because of Twitter's rejection of the app in favour of its own Periscope as noted in the article “Meerkat boss upbeat despite Twitter clampdown”, published March 16, 2015 By Trevor Mogg, DigitalTrends. 

Meerkat was launched exclusively for Apple iOS in late February 2015 before made its debut at SXSW in Austin Texas as noted in the article “Meerkat app shows the potential for live streaming on Twitter”, published MAR 02, 2015 BY SETH FIEGERMAN, Mashable.

It’s a Live Video Streaming app that allows you to stream to an anonymous audience in real time as explained by Meerkat CEO Ben Rubin in the article “What is Meerkat? Founder explains most-discussed app of SXSW”, published Mar 16, 2015 BY PHIL NOLAN, Mashable.

It's tied into the Twitter Social Graph, a concept similar to Facebook Graph that taps into information within Twitter’s API to allow Third-party apps to connect with users using statistical data generated by Twitter users.

In the case of Meerkat, that means you'd get an instant notification of a Meerkat Live stream from ANYONE who has the Meerkat app installed once you were following the Meerkat Twitter feed, whether or not that persons was also following the Meerkat Twitter feed. They only need to be on Twitter following your Twitter Feed.

Meerkatters (yes, that’s a word) could also alert their twitter followers by posting tweets indicating that they were streaming live or receive a notification via the Meerkat app that they were streaming live.

Unfortunately, this over-dependence on Twitter proved to be the Meerkat demise at the hands of none other than Twitter.

SXSW Meerkat vs Twitter’s Periscope – How Periscope submarine like launch sunk the Meerkat Destroyer

Twitter got jealous and scuppered Meerkat’s Twitter Social Graph integration, citing internal regulations as noted in the article “Twitter limits access of fast-growing Meerkat live-stream app”, published March 14, 2015 7:51 AM PDT by Richard Nieva, CNET News.

Meerkat CEO and sole developer Ben Rubin took the rejection of his app on Friday March 13^th 2015 with an upbeat tone at SXSW, indicating that his one man company was now significant as noted in the article “Twitter cuts Meerkat off from its social graph just as SXSW gets started”, published March 13, 2015 11:14 By Dieter Bohn, The Verge. 

This as even on that very same day, Twitter announced  the acquisition of Periscope as noted in the article “Twitter embraces livestreaming, confirms Periscope purchase”, published March 14, 2015 By Trevor Mogg, DigitalTrends, a similar Live streaming App also announced by VP of Product at Twitter , Kevin Weill in his tweet.

Excited to officially welcome @periscopeco to the Twitter team. Can't wait for everyone to see what they've built! https://t.co/6eAJjpXmaS
— Kevin Weil (@kevinweil) March 13, 2015

Periscope sinks Meerkat – Over Dependence on Twitter and lackluster features as Google Android is Hope

Meerkat is now sinking, based on the decline in Twitter activity as Periscope’s Submarine Conning tower rises out of the waves as noted in Analyst Topy’s Graph in the article “Meerkat, Periscope, and Hope”, published April 1st, 2015 by STEVE WILDSTROM, Techopinions.

Still, Meerkat’s initial draw is still potent, despite Periscope doing its live streaming much better as noted in the article “Here's why Meerkat's popularity is suddenly plunging”, published April 1, 2015 11:01 am by Ben Popper, The Verge.

Good to note that BOTH Meerkat and Periscope will RAPIDLY eat through your Data Plans, so don’t expect any Jamaicans to be trying this App unless they have Wi-Fi as noted in the article “Livestreaming Apps Will Totally Crush Your Data Plan”, published 02.04.2015 by John Patrick Pullen, TIME and “Meerkat and Periscope Can Really Chew Through Your Precious Data”, published 3/31/15  by Kate Knibbs, Gizmodo.

Your avatar posts on Meerkat are actually tweets albeit Meerkat really needs to have an option for later non-live viewing to avoid looking like a SnapChat Clone as noted in the review “Meerkat for iOS review”, published April 2, 2015 By: Jason Parker, CNET News.

Meerkat's dependence on Twitter mean that once you open your Meerkat app, if no one you know is streaming, then you won't see any live stream to select. This could be because of the decoupling of the Twitter Social Graph with Periscope  is thoroughly plugged into.

So Meerkat, thanks for introducing us to Live-Streaming, but Twitter's Periscope submarine-like launch has sunk the Meerkat Destroyer.  Hopefully when the Google Android version comes out, everyone can experience the world through the lens of someone else’s smartphone and give Meerkat a helping hand.

Here's the link:

Meerkat Website

Meerkat on Apple iTunes

Periscope Website

Periscope on Apple iTunes  

Meerkat Twitter Feed: @AppMeerkat

Periscope Twitter Feed: @periscopeco

@K_Worldpanel Stats say Apple iPhone 6 No. 1 in China - Xiaomi No. 2, US of A decline as EU shows Apple some love

Apple has finally succeeded against their Nemesis Xiaomi in China who held them to Third place back in October 2014 according to Kantar Worldpanel as reported in my blog article entitled “Kantar Worldpanel Stats say British and Europeans love Apple iPhone 6 - China growing as Consumer Intelligence Report confirms iPhone 6 Plus unnecessary”.

Fresh new statistics from analyst Kantar Worldpanel indicate that for the three months that ended in February 2015, the Apple iPhone bested Xiaomi at least in the more developed parts of China as reported in the article “Apple takes smartphone crown in China”, published April 2, 2015 6:25 AM PDT by Lance Whitney, CNET News.

They also made headway in US of A, Britain and the European Union. But first the statistics as detailed in the article “Chinese New Year brings a new record for iOS sales in China”, published 02/04/2015, Kantar Worldpanel.

Apple iPhone 6 still Growing Strong in US of A – Marketshare decline as market become saturated

According to Kantar Worldpanel in the US of A for the first three (3) months up to February 2015:

1.      38.8% of smartphone marketshare

2.      39.3% of smartphone marketshare in first three (3) months up to February 2014

The Apple iPhone 6 and the Apple iPhone 6 Plus is still a strong seller since launch in September 2014 as described in my blog article entitled “Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus - No Sapphire Screen but 128GB Storage and NFC-powered Apple Pay in Apple's Biggest iPhone Launch” with users giving the following reasons for sticking with the Big A:

1.      45% Screen Size

2.      44% 4G LTE Capabilities

3.      43% touted durability and reliability

Apple iPhone 6 in China – Collectively beating Xiaomi for Marketshare

In China, the Apple iPhone 6 finally trounced Xiaomi in the first three (3) months up to February 2015:

1.      10.2% of smartphone marketshare in urban China

2.      9.5% of smartphone marketshare in urban China in first three (3) months up to February 2014

The Apple iPhone 6 and the Apple iPhone 6 Plus rank as follows against the Xiaomi RedMI Note that was launched back in March 2014 as stated in my blog article entitled “US$130 5.5” Xiaomi Redmi Note Phablet goes on sale in China on Tuesday March 26th 2014 - Low-cost Unlocked Phablets the next Tablet in China's Year of the Horse”:

1.      Xiaomi RedMI Note

2.      Apple iPhone 6 Plus

3.      Apple iPhone 6

Clearly the Chinese like the bigger Apple iPhone 6 Plus as explained by Strategic insight director at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech Asia Tamsin Timpson, quote: “In urban China, Apple iPhone 6 remained the best selling phone in the three months ending in February growing its share to 10.2% compared to 9.5% registered in the three months ending in January. The iPhone 6 Plus was the third best selling smartphone after the iPhone 6 and the Xiaomi RedMI Note. With the two flagships, as well as older models still selling strong, Apple was able to grab the top spot in the smartphone manufacturers ranking. Xiaomi stepped down to number two.”

Combining all of their Apple iPhones sold in China plus the recently launched Apple iPhone 6 and the Apple iPhone 6 Plus, in the first three (3) months up to February 2015:

1.      27.6% of marketshare in urban China

2.      59% of that marketshare are China Mobile’s subscribers

3.      Apple is now Number 1

4.      Xiaomi is now Number 2

So Apple is on the mend, finally beating Xiaomi and proving low prices isn't everything once the Chinese get a bit of the Apple, to quote chief of research at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech Carolina Milanesi: “There has been a strong appetite for Apple’s products in urban China seen since the launch of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and this has continued into Chinese New Year. China Mobile’s subscribers accounted for 59% of the 27.6% volume share recorded by iOS in the latest period. Across key global markets Apple’s momentum generally continued from last month, with market share gains in all markets except the US and Japan.”

Apple iPhone 6 in Europe – From EU with Love as Galaxy S6 coming to Mash up Britain

In Europe, Kantar Worldpanel Stats for the first three (3) months up to February 2015 to a story of triumph mixed with some loss:

1.      67.6% year on year marketshare for Google Android

2.      20.9% year on year marketshare for Apple iOS

Interestingly Google Android lost 2.9% while Apple iOS gained 2.9%. Samsung also appears to be making headway. Especially as they have the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge being pushed by huge amounts of advertising in Britain as noted in my Geezam blog article entitled “Samsung Galaxy S6 and Edge at MWC 2015 coming to Mash up Jamaica”.

Business unit director at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech Europe Dominic Sunnebo is basically sayings that the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge are going to mash up Britain, quote:  “In Great Britain, as Samsung prepared the channel for the arrival of the new flagships Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, sales of the Galaxy S5 grew slightly over the previous period and captured 8.7% of smartphone sales keeping this model as the second best selling smartphone after the iPhone 6”.

Across Europe, Android’s share declined by 2.9 percentage points year-on-year to 67.6% while iOS rose by 2.9 percentage points. But the reason for the Apple iPhone 6 love remains for the first three (3) months up to February 2015 remain the same:

1.      48% were attracted to the Apple iPhone 6 because of its reliability/durability

2.      44% were attracted to the Apple iPhone 6 because of its Design

3.      48% were attracted to the Samsung Galaxy S5 because of its reliability/durability

4.      48% were attracted to the Samsung Galaxy S5 because of its good deal on tariff/contract

So the Apple iPhone 6 and the Apple iPhone 6 Plus triumphs in China and is winning over hearts and souls in Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Now it's time for the Apple iPhone 6S Rumours..............

Here’s the link:

Kantar world Panel Twitter feed: @K_Worldpanel

Five Great Over-the-Ear Headphones - Noise Cancelling, Comfortable, Fashionable Bluetooth Music Streaming

With the spring of 2015 having ended and Easter Break starting for me from April 1^st 2015 to April 13^th Monday April 13^th 2015, I though a little change of pace would be in order.

With CES (Computer Electronics Show) 2015 and MWC (Mobile World Congress) having basically revealed almost all gadgets to come by the summer of 2015, I realized that the only left to go with most of these mobile Gadgets is a good pair of headphones.

Preferably anything better than the Beats by Dre which Apple owns as noted in my blog article entitled “Apple officially confirms Beats Audio Purchase - US$3.2 Billion as Apple gears up for Subscription Streaming and improved Headphones” as I like them, but I like choices even more,

Five Great Over-the-Ear Headphones - Noise Cancelling, comfortable, fashionable Bluetooth Streaming

To that end, I’ve compiled a list of the five (5) Over-the-Ear Headphones as listed in the article “5 Great Headphones for Spring 2015”, published 3.28.2015 by Geoffry Morrison, Forbes that will make your music sound great no matter what quality Audio you have.

US$300 Bose QuietComfort 25

US$350 Blue MoFi 

US$400 Oppo PM-3  

US$500 Sennheiser Momentum Wireless   

US$700 Audeze EL-8

Noise Cancelling, comfortable and fashionable and in the same bracket as the US$300 Bose QuietComfort 25 , about which I did my blog article entitled “US$299.99 Bose Quiet Comfort 25 Headphones - Why the QC25 improves on the QC15 despite no Inductive Rechargeable Battery”.

My only complaint being that two (2) of them are wired headphones and don't have a Wireless Bluetooth option like the US$249.95 Hello Kitty Solo2 Blue as noted in my blog article entitled “US$249.95 Hello Kitty Solo2 Blue and US$149.95 Hello Kitty UrBeats - Hello Kitty x Beats headphones Collection to debut Worldwide in November 2014”.

Still, they get the job done for the price you pay for them.

@WhatsApp Voice Calling on @google @Android smartphones – Why only WhatsApp 2.12.19 APK as Mobile Calling coming

WhatsApp has finally done it as it relates to Voice Calling on WhatsApp, which they've been testing since February 2015 as reported in my blog article entitled “WhatsApp Testing Free Voice Calling - Why Free Local, International Calling over 4G LTE may soon be Possible”.

As of Tuesday March 31^st 2015, it's now possible to make WhatsApp calls, at least to other WhatsApp users as reported in the article “WhatsApp for Android now offers voice calling to all users”, published March 31, 2015 by Lance Whitney, CNET News.

No more voice notes and then awaiting your friend to play the Voice File; this is straight Voice Calling, much as you'd do on a cellphone.

Alas it’s April Fools as I’m writing this; there are some limitations.

WhatsApp Voice Calling – Available via APK only and restricted to WhatsApp Calling

Currently WhatsApp Calling only available for Google Android smartphone users.

Also you have to have updated to the latest version of WhatsApp, specifically by downloading and installing WhatsApp 2.12.19 APK from WhatsApp Mirror Site or WhatsApp 2.12.19 APK direct from WhatsApp as reported in the article “WhatsApp Android App Now Has Free Voice Calling For Everyone”, published 3/31/2015 by Amit Chowdhry, Forbes.

Upon installation, you’ll get a WhatsApp  Screen as shown below, indicating that you’re ready to make WhatsApp Calls.

WhatsApp 2.12.19 is only available as an APK (Android Application Package) file from WhatsApp 2.12.19 APK from WhatsApp Mirror Site or WhatsApp 2.12.19 APK direct from WhatsApp and NOT on the Google Play Store.

Google Play Store does not have WhatsApp Version 2.12.19 but instead has WhatsApp Version 2.12.5, which does not support the Voice Calling Feature, whether it be making or receiving calls.

Finally, WhatsApp Calling using WhatsApp Version 2.12.19 installed via APK means that you can only make WhatsApp to WhatsApp Calls for now; this is just the testing phase as this may change within a few months. 

WhatsApp Calling Restricted to please Carriers – Landline and Mobile Calling coming with Apple Version

Apparently Facebook, owners of WhatsApp, are trying to please Telecom Providers and Carriers around the world by not divert traffic from GSM Voice Calling to their WhatsApp Voice calling platform.

By making it a technically adept procedure to set up WhatsApp Calling on your smartphone via an APK installation, it ensures only the technically minded can enjoy a feature that too many may seem pointless, given their current use of Voice notes.

But eventually, this might blossom into direct calling to Local and International Landline and Mobile numbers similar to Call+ or MagicApp as noted in my MICO Wars blog article “How to make Free International Calls to Landlines and Mobiles Anywhere in the World”.

Once that happens, most likely when they roll out the Apple iPhone Version on the Apple iTunes Store, then WhatsApp will really become more interesting to most smartphone users. It would mean you can call Local and International Landline and Mobile numbers either for free or at rates equivalent to a making a local call.

It'll be interesting to see what happens when the Apple iPhone gets WhatsApp Calling.....

Here’s the link:

WhatsApp 2.12.19 APK direct from WhatsApp

WhatsApp 2.12.19 APK from WhatsApp Mirror Site