The idea of bringing Android to the desktop is not new. In the past we have come across more than one project, but the general problems of the platform are always the same. Both its overall interface and its applications are optimized for touch screens, and to that we must add the natural limits in hardware support. Remix OS is a modified version of Android in alpha state that seeks to smooth those rough edges and provide a superior Android experience on our PCs.
Why bring Android to the desktop?
Why is there so much interest in moving Android to a conventional computer? On one hand, it is an operating system present in hundreds of millions of devices, which translates into hundreds of thousands of developers creating apps for that ecosystem. On the other hand, its leap to the desktop would allow it to receive specific benefits that are critical for security and stability. There are many rumors indicating that Google will eventually choose to merge Chrome OS with Android, though we will have to wait at least until 2017. Today, what we need is a viable version of Android on the desktop and by that I mean one that has fundamental elements, such as better optimization for keyboard and mouse, as well as a multitasking mode much more complete than anything we have seen so far. With all this on our list, we arrive at the doors of Remix OS.
Remix OS: features and limitations
Remix OS was built from the well-known Android-x86 project, and its goal is to 'revitalize' computers with a relatively lightweight operating system, taking advantage of the million and a half applications that exist in the Google store. Its interface reminds us of Chrome OS, a bit of OS X, and also Windows 10, something that cannot be criticized if we think about desktop systems. An integrated file manager and support for context menus are two steps in the right direction, but the most notable difficulties appear when manipulating apps. Although they run without problems in 'phone format', the fact of being able to open them in a window causes that in many cases the final result is not pleasing to the eye.
Technical requirements
Finally, it is necessary to make a special mention of the technical details of Remix OS. According to the official site, the operating system's compatibility focuses mainly on Intel computers, and its execution requires a relatively fast USB drive, with a minimum capacity of eight gigabytes, and formatted in FAT32. The creators of Remix OS acknowledge the alpha state of their software, and recommend downloading it to developers or enthusiasts who don't mind if it 'explodes in their face'. Do you have an Intel netbook at hand that needs an operating system? Why not try it...
