It is possible that support for Android applications will soon be provided through a special software solution for Windows 10 that would eliminate the need for Android emulation or phone mirroring.
Microsoft is in the process of creating a subsystem, similar to the Windows Subsystem for Linux, that allows Android applications to run on Windows 10.
While there are various ways to emulate Android apps, but there is no official Android support on Windows yet.
The new software solution is codenamed "Project Latte" and could debut next year. The company once considered integrating Android apps into Windows 10 through a project codenamed Astoria that never saw the light of day.
Project Latte aims to provide a similar product and will likely be powered by the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). However, Microsoft will need to provide its own Android subsystem for Android applications to actually work.
With a market share of around 70% in the mobile sector and unlike iOS, an open application ecosystem, it would be a mistake not to directly integrate Android support into Windows 10.
Microsoft has already begun offering limited support for launching Android apps on Windows 10 using the "Your Phone" app and compatible Android devices. However, launching Android apps through your phone is done by streaming the apps from the phone rather than running them directly on Windows 10.
The new subsystem for Windows 10 would allow Android applications to be distributed through the Microsoft Store and run in a virtualized environment.
One might wonder how Microsoft would do with the graphical user interface required for Android applications.
But with the release of WSL 2, Microsoft began working on a project called "WSL-G " or "WSL – Graphical Architecture". This project uses an embedded Wayland display server to run Linux GUI applications directly within the Windows 10 user interface.
Microsoft's Steve Pronovost spoke at the XDC 2020 conference last September and explained in detail the new WSL-G feature that Microsoft is creating:
“Support for graphical application interfaces in WSL is becoming a reality! We are getting closer to an Initial Preview and are happy to announce a version of Preview for Windows Insiders in the coming months. " “We've included a lot of tuning and finishing details, like showing icons for Linux apps on the taskbar and supporting audio with your microphone (and yes, that's really the Linux version of Microsoft Teams running on WSL) . «
Port WSL WSL, including component G or something similar, to run the Android operating system and allow Windows 10 to run virtualized Android applications.
Project Latte will allow app developers to deliver applications that don't yet have a Windows version available. One might wonder what kind of apps will be available if the project actually gets off the ground, since many Android apps are designed primarily for phones and are less desirable on a larger screen.
Microsoft has yet to comment on the Project Latte news, but assuming it doesn't reverse its plans, introducing Android apps to the platform will make Windows 10 a near-universal operating system when it comes to app support, according to Windows Central. The project could be part of the Windows 10 update in the fall of 2021.
Project Latte wouldn't be exclusive to any particular platform , meaning it would be able to run Android apps on Intel, AMD, and even ARM hardware. This could give a boost to Windows 10, which is currently struggling on the ARM platform.
However, some have pointed out some problems with Wayland.
“That feeling when a stable version of Wayland is released on Windows faster than Linux; (Warning: I tried to use it on Nvidia, but it is far from usable, I also tried to use it on the Radeon 5700, it hangs at startup, even the mouse does not work) ”, E