One of my complaints (which in fact are only two) with Linux-based operating systems is their poor compatibility with some programs. For example, as you all know there is no official version of Photoshop for Linux, for which you have to resort to other programs such as PlayOnLinux and the latest versions do not always work. Actually, you can do almost everything, but you have to know the way and that is my second complaint: some things are not intuitive at all in Linux. But there are always shortcuts and one of them can be run Android apps on Ubuntu.
Google's mobile operating system can run many applications. It is true that the aforementioned desktop Photoshop will not be for Android, at least for several years, but it does have tons of applications that can get us out of trouble. For example, if we can't find a decent Twitter client for Ubuntu, we can always simulate an application of Android in Ubuntu and run it as if it were a desktop application. In this post we will show you how to do just that.
Before starting with the guide I would like to remind you that, as with any simulation, some apps may not work. Without going any further, I wanted to install Apple Music, but it didn't work for me. The next application that I have tried, Twitter has worked perfectly for me.
How to run Android apps on Ubuntu
- We make sure we have the latest version of Google Chrome installed. If we do not have the browser installed, we go to the web www.google.com/chrome/browser/desktop/ and we install it. If we already had a previous version installed, we can update by writing in a Terminal «sudo apt-get install google-chrome-stable»(Without the quotes).
- We install ARC Welder. Logically, we install the extension in Chrome.
- We seek and we download the .apk files that we want to execute. Logically, we cannot say from where to download them.
- We open ARC Welder. At first it will be in the Chrome applications. Once opened, it can be kept in the Ubuntu launcher.
- ARC Welder is very intuitive. We only have to indicate the main folder (where it will save the applications) and choose the .apk file.
- We can indicate if we want to give it access to the clipboard and if we want it to run as a version for mobile, tablet, full screen or expanded.
- As if by magic and that simple, we can now run a simulation of the Android application in our Chrome browser.
An important note: if we keep the Android application in the launcher and when we run the next one we tell it not to overwrite it, when we enter everything will be saved. Or at least that's how it has been in my case with the applications I've tried. And, with what is described in this guide, we can still do much more with our Ubuntu PC.
I think it is better to specify that some programs are incompatible with Lignux.
These proprietary or commercial programs have been designed only for proprietary or commercial operating systems that are not interested in being compatible with others because their business model is based on being closed to keep their users captive and maintain dominance positions.
With regard to the fact that Lignux is not "intuitive" it seems to me that it is more than when you have known only one way of doing things, it makes it seem less intuitive to do them differently.
Hello, Untal So-and-so. Yes, but I use Mac, Linux and Windows and on Mac and Windows I never have to add a repository. It is to give you an example. In Linux, sometimes it is with a "simple" command, sometimes it is from the Software Center (or Synaptic) and sometimes you have to write much more in a Terminal.
I have edited audio with Ubuntu and using Midi on the one hand and a wave sequencer on the other is much simpler and more intuitive on Mac or Windows. With the video, the same.
On the other hand, I am just saying that it is incompatible with many programs because they are what we all know. These days I want to install iTunes just to listen to Apple Music when I write articles on Ubuntu and nothing, there is no simple way. It is more intuitive to download the installer and install it than to search for alternatives.
A greeting.
Hi Pablo, the problem is when you get too used to an operating system that is not so good in itself, it will be difficult for you to see the changes or differences and you will always see them negative, if it is true that in Linux there is no photoshop that is fault Of the people of adobe by not creating the program that can be executed in all operating systems you end up buying it for mac or windows, the same happens with itunes or microsof programs that do not exist for mac or linux, then linux that is the better operating system for more reasons than the programs you have to look for alternatives such as gimp, inkscape or blender, which are even better than those of adobe the same with audio programs to others of a community that if it helps to make the programs better, with emulators or virtualizers you can run those very necessary programs at the end you have to adapt linux to your needs and you will see how intuitive it can be, «It is more intuitive to download the installer and install it than to look for alternate active. » that's just easier, not necessarily better. and the same as your use linux, windows and mac.
Hi Wender. I agree, but I also disagree a bit: I went from Windows to Linux, not to Mac. I started Audio editing on Linux and the programs like Ardor are not intuitive. When I decided to make the leap to Mac, with GarageBand I did everything and without thinking about it.
What I do agree on is that there are more and even better things in Linux. In fact, I always say it and always will say it: Linux is better, but it is less straightforward. At the user level I will always recommend it.
A greeting.
Hello one question. Why is an article published with today's date using the latest version of the chrome browser if there are no updates for ubuntu? I have missed any news, if anyone knows of something, publish it, I am using firefox and it takes me to 90 degrees permanently (with piperlight, siverlight plugin, to see Netfix) a disappointment.
Hi, Pablo. I honestly don't use Chrome to navigate. I'm a bit clueless as to its development. In any case, it can be installed from the link and the web says that the Google repository is added and only updated. If not, you simply need the latest version available.
A greeting.
I proved to install Google Chrom with the command and I get that it did not find the packages ... I have Chromium installed from the factory and look for the add-on and it does not come out either ... I tried to download from the official google website and when I installed I got «Error: Invalid architecture ... I don't know why it doesn't allow me
The problem with Chrome is that they recently removed the update for 32-bit systems and are only updating it for 64-bit systems. That may be your problem, Pablo Malinovsky and Gabriel.
One note, the APKs can be obtained simply from your mobile if you have root, which by the way is not illegal.
They are in:
/ System / app
/ Data / app
normally
It does not support 32 bits. It's not the best option.
An operating system is not its programs because these are made by third parties ... if Ubuntu does not have (I don't know) intuitive video or audio editing programs, it is simply because the programmers have not made them that way, but they would 😉
all the best
in ubuntu 18, with chorme it doesn't work.
try to install alfred and it doesn't work for me.
In ubuntu 20.04 it doesn't work. Since you want to install ARC Welder in chrome it tells you that it is not running in chrome. As it does not identify it, and indicates that the apk may not run correctly. But he never actually opens them… Can you help me to see if something can be done?
The same happens to me. The extension is installed but it sends you indefinitely to other supposedly download pages.
Digoo cloud with linux Pop did not work for me
First, Linux is an operating system. Windows does not come to that, it is just a program and of very low quality. If you do not know the characteristics that an operating system must meet, there are many COMPUTER books where you can see it.
On the other hand Photoshop is nothing more than a tool and, by the way, you have to pay for it. In Linux you have GIMP.
Regarding your second complaint "some things are not intuitive at all in Linux". No, they are not for people who do not know what an operating system is.