One of the great debts of all modern platforms is interoperability. Each operating system is a kind of private world that forces the user to move from one environment to another to access the best programs. Fortunately, there are projects that challenge this problem, and one of them is CrossOver, a compatibility layer for running Windows programs on OS X and Linux. The next step? Bringing that same resource to Android.
If you need to run a Windows application on a Linux environment, the first option on the list is Wine. With more than twenty years of development under its belt, Wine has come a long way, but no one in their right mind would say its development is finished. There are still many rough edges to smooth out, and Microsoft doesn't make things easy, but its state is advanced enough to serve as a base for other initiatives. One of the most important is CrossOver, which modifies Wine's original code, adds compatibility patches, and offers a more elaborate interface.
CrossOver brings Windows programs to OS X and Linux, but its battle plan includes a great challenge: doing the same on Android. Google's mobile system has an impressive number of apps in its official store, although productivity has never been one of its strong points. With the intervention of software designed for Windows and the presence of CrossOver, Android's potential would be much greater. CrossOver for Android is little more than a technical preview right now, but those interested can register to get an invitation.
Now... CrossOver can't do magic. All the architecture restrictions are still there, so its Android version will only work on an x86 SoC. At the same time, the issue of mouse and keyboard arises. Android is an operating system with a clear emphasis on touch screens, but it's hard to imagine someone editing cells in spreadsheets with touches on the screen. CrossOver for Android has a lot of work ahead, and we must do our part with a little patience.
