Getting the Android-x86 emulator networked properly from within VirtualBox has proven to be more of a challenge than I'd anticipated. Fortunately, I've figured out exactly which steps need to be taken in order to successfully get Android-x86 to connect to the Internet from within VirtualBox...
1. Get rid of long distance calls.
With an Android emulator installed on your PC you have the ability to make all your calls using your Internet connection and various Android apps. Skype, Tango, and Google Voice all allow for placing calls directly through your Android emulator of choice. By using this method you'll never have to buy a calling card or wait for "off-peak" minutes again!
2. Get rid of your texting plan.
Using your Android emulator there are several options available to you that allow you to send texts from your computer. You can use the built-in texting features of Google Voice through your emulator and do away with your texting plan entirely. Or if your friends and family members are using a smartphone-specific app such as Kik Messenger, you can install Kik on your Android emulator to send and receive BBM-style messages to anyone with an Internet connection.
3. Turn off your phone while at your desk.
Historically, Android devices have not always been the best at keeping a charge. With an Android emulator installed on your PC you can have all your favorite apps running through your computer and turn off your phone while sitting at your desk. This way you'll save battery and save yourself the hassle of charging your phone later in the day when you most need it.
4. Use Android widgets on your PC.
There are countless Android widgets available on the market that do everything from tell you the temperature to give you live stock quotes. Most of these widgets are not available for Windows 7, so with an Android emulator you can install the widgets and have access to all your important, custom-tailored information without ever opening a web browser.
5. Avoid buying an expensive Android device.
If you're in the unique position where having an Android device would be greatly beneficial for you, but you can't afford to buy an Android phone plus a cell phone plan, you're in luck. If you have a computer you can install an Android emulator and get all the benefits that any Android device would offer -- for free! With an Android emulator installed on your PC you can simply launch the Android operating system and download any fully working, Android-specific apps you'd like.
Obviously, installing a free Android emulator on your PC such as Android-x86 or BlueStacks makes it easy to save time and money. So, what are you waiting for? Check out this video to install Android-x86 on your PC in less than 5 minutes, then get saving!
While BlueStacks is probably the easiest way to go about testing Android apps in an emulator on your PC, it does not allow you to play around with the core settings that make up the Android operating system. The Android-x86 project takes it one step further to give you the full Android experience through an emulator. In order to get the Android-x86 emulator for your PC, you'll have to do a few things first...
Ever since the advent of BlackBerry's BBM alternative messenger apps have been extremely popular. Kik Messenger is one such Android app that is immensely popular. Kik is currently available for Android, iPhone, and BlackBerry, but there is no native way to install Kik Messenger for your PC. Fortunately, there's a workaround...
BlueStacks is the simplest Android Emulator you can install on your PC. It does not run a traditional Android OS interface, installs directly onto a Windows PC, and allows you to run any app you have installed on your existing Android device. With BlueStacks you can install games like Angry Birds Space, social apps like Facebook and Seesmic, or free, internet-based messaging apps like Skype and Whatsapp messenger. BlueStacks is the winner of C|Net's "Best Software at CES 2012" award, so you really have nothing to lose by trying it out.
There are plenty of Android emulators out there that you can install for your PC. Picking the right one is a matter of personal preference, desired features, and current system requirements. If you have an older Windows computer, you'll probably want an Android emulator that is not dependent on many system resources. However, if you have a newer Windows PC you'll probably want something that makes use of your existing resources and runs quickly on your machine. Fortunately, there are currently a few options available.
You've already read what an Android Emulator is, but that may not explain why you should install one. Obviously, the more software you install on your PC the slower it processes in the long run. So, why would you want to install an Android Emulator for your PC? Here are a few reasons...
If you've stumbled upon this site you probably already know what an Android emulator is and why you might need an Android emulator for your PC. However, for those of you that don't I'm happy to explain it to you.
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