How to install apk into BlueStacks

In previous post, I wrote about BlueStacks and how to install additional apps that provided by BlueStacks. But how to install additional apps? Either wait for BlueStacks to add into their database, or sync from your android phone using BlueStacks' cloud connect. However if we already own Android phone, there is no use to sync to PC right? And for those that do not own an Android phone, how to get more apps on BlueStacks?

There is a lot of free apps available in Android market or Amazon apps or can be directly download. For direct download, you just need to google for it. :)

So how to install the apk (that is the setup file for Android apps) into BlueStacks?

1. Right-click on the .apk file and click on "Open with..."
2. Click on "Browse..."
3. Navigate to "C:\Program Files\BlueStacks" or for 64-bit computers, "C:\Program Files (x86)\BlueStacks"
4. Double-click on "HD-ApkHandler.exe"
5. Click on "Ok" [Check on "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file" if you wish to associate apk with BlueStacks. I use this method, so now every time I just need to double click on apk to install new apps to my BlueStacks ;) ]
The .apk file will be install into Bluestacks and notify you when its done. You should able to see new icon to the apps that you just install on BlueStacks.



If you getting error msg "INSTALL_FAILED_CPU_ABI_INCOMPATIBLE" during apk installation, too bad that now still don't have workaround yet. This is because BlueStacks currently doesn't support binary translation. More info here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=18376033&postcount=15

Even though there is a warning from XDA forum that apps installed this way CANNOT be removed directly. I found out I can use Astro File Manager to uninstall apps from BlueStacks. Astro File Manager is available freely from the internet.
http://www.freewarelovers.com/android/app/astro-file-manager
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.metago.astro&hl=en

update:
see also how to rearrange the apps list on BlueStacks after you install apk
http://outdatedpenanguncle.blogspot.com/2011/12/rearrange-apps-list-on-bluestacks.html
see also how to enable Android Market using method mentioned in this post
http://outdatedpenanguncle.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-enable-android-market-for.html


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source: XDA forum

Running Android apps on Windows with BlueStacks

What have been Outdated Penang Uncle up to lately? I have been trying out Android apps on my laptop using BlueStacks.

Before BlueStacks, there is only Android SDK that has the emulator to try out Android apps on Windows. To do that you have to install Android SDK, install bla bla bla and then do bla bla bla and finally try to the Android apps on Windows.

Thanks to BlueStacks, now I can skip a lot of steps and just double-click to install the Android apps into BlueStacks. Sounds like installing software on Windows right? I will show you how in following post, do stay tune or subscribe to rss of this blog.

To download, go to BlueStacks website and then go to download page to download BlueStacks App Player.
http://bluestacks.com

For Windows 7, make sure you install BlueStacks using administrator permission so avoid any installation problem. If I remember correctly, BlueStacks runs only on Windows 7, too bad for older version of Windows. Update: BlueStacks now runs on Windows XP as well! [I was using version Alpha v2007 when I write this post, latest version is 0.6.2.0563_REL]

Most of users will find the BlueStacks icon (gadget to be exact) appear on desktop after installation success. Launching Android apps on BlueStack is actually through Windows Gadget of BlueStacks.
If you don't find the BlueStacks icon, minimize all windows (Start button + m) and then right-click on any place of desktop, select "Gadget". The Gadget windows will come up, you should able to see BlueStacks Gadget. Left click and hold on the gadget, then drag it to any place at desktop that you prefer.

BlueStacks' default installation already come with some Android apps, such as Bloomberg, Pulse, Kids Learn to Read FREE, and Talking Tom 2 FREE.



If you want to more apps from BlueStacks, you can go to BlueStacks website by click on the "Get More Apps" button.

It will open your default web browser and asking you to login with facebook account. That is the only login that BlueStacks provide. After login, there are total of 31 apps that available for you to install.

BlueStacks also allow Android phone owner to send apps from Android phone to BlueStacks on PC. I am not sure the motive of this feature, if you already have Android phone, why would you want to use the apps on PC? Example, if you send Angry Birds from your phone to PC via BlueStacks' Cloud Connect, the progress or level completed on Angry Birds cannot be sync between phone and PC. So there is not really a benefit right? Anyway, I will show you how to install apps through Android market, Amazon apps, and install apk directly. So stay tune ya.

Thing to note: Do not install apps that need sensor to play, because laptop don't have accelerometer sensor. Would not able to play the game anyway. However if your tablet have the sensor, you might able to make use of the sensor to play apps that need sensor to play. :)


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source: I learned the tricks from XDA forum :)
pix source: BlueStack pix from BlueStacks

Why switch to Samsung Galaxy S 2?

Samsung US come out with a nice TV commercial to woo iPhone users. Watch the youtube:

Now you have more solid reason to switch to GS2 right?

If you still can't decide, here are some of my post to help you to decide:
Samsung Galaxy S 2 - everything you need to know
More of Samsung Galaxy S 2
Samsung Galaxy S 2 teardown
iPhone4s vs Samsung Galaxy S 2


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source: saw this video at youtube!

Internet 1996 vs 2011

Internet has been ever changing since 1980s. See how much the Internet change since 1996 compare with 2011.

Click on the picture to see in fullsize.

Happy Thanks Giving to fellow US friends!

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source: http://dailyinfographic.com/true-hollywood-story-bipeds-and-the-world-wide-web/1996-vs-2011

Nook Tablet Teardown

People at iFixIt must be very busy these few weeks with so many devices come to market within a short period. Barnes & Noble (is a online book store) come out Nook Tablet to fight with Amazon's Kindle Fire.

Equips with a dual-core OMAP, 1GM RAM, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Custom Android OS and supports upto 48GB of mini SD card, do you want to get one? I think I will still get an iPad2. :P



If you prefer to read it at iFixIt website, go to this link:
Nook Tablet Teardown at iFixIt website


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source: teardown from iFixIt, I wrote the rest.

Amazon Kindle Fire Teardown

Amazon Kindle Fire supposedly come out to compete with iPad. People who wish to get something like iPad but don't want to pay the high price, and do not want to buy no-name brand from China manufacturers, would consider Kindle Fire as the top choice.

With dual-core processor, Android 2.3 OS, WiFi, multi-touch display, looks like this is a good choice. If you need to update your facebook status where ever you go, then this is not a good choice since no 3G connectivity (WiFi is not available everywhere, okay?).

Okay, here is the teardown, enjoy!


If you prefer to read it at ifixit, here is the link:
Amazon Kindle Fire Teardown at iFixIt


Btw, I am trying out Android apps using BlueStacks on my Windows 7. BlueStacks is an Android emulator. Stay tune for the tutorial of it, or subscribe to RSS or follow me in blogger.

p/s: I found out the ifixit embed code always show up as 2 same ifixit windows, I have tried IE, FireFox and Chrome, all show same problem. I have no time to debug it, just ignore the 2nd one, it is the same ifixit.

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source: iFixIt for the teardown, I wrote the rest, okay?

Motorola Droid RAZR Teardown

How can this blog complete without any teardown? I haven't post any teardown this month, so let's do it on this weekend. :)

Motorola DROID Razr, is also know as DROID HD, is a new release from Motorola. It supports GSM/CDMA/HSDPA/HSUPA/EV-DO/LTE/WiFi b/g/n, meaning it is a world phone, you can use in most of the countries in this world, except North Korea. :P

Okay, cut the crap and see the teardown yourself here:


Or if you prefer, go directly to ifixit website at link below:
Motorola Droid RAZR Teardown at iFixit.

And if you like to see the spec of this phone, go to gmsarena:
Motorola DROID RAZR spec at gsmarena

Have a nice weekend. :)

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source: ifixit