Ever wanted to try out an Android app but don’t have an actual Android device handy? An iOS user and often wondered how the other half lives? If the answer is yes, then BlueStacks is for you.

What BlueStacks does is fairly simple. It’s basically virtualization for Android. Install BlueStacks on your Windows machine and the software allows you to run an instance of Android right inside the app. From here the experience is just like having an Android device – except the phone calling thing.

Virtualization is nothing new, we’ve been doing it for years with VMware or Parallels but this is the first time a mobile operating system has been invited to the party.

Right now the BlueStacks website isn’t quite behaving itself and downloading the virtualization software is easier said than done, but if Android on Windows is your particular bag then keep trying, we’re assured it does work eventually!

(via CrunchGear)

You may also like to check out Test Drive Google Android OS on Windows 7

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Technology
March 17, 2011
App Review: U.S. Cop (Android)
Mark Brooks' app is chock full of information for the working cop, and it's organized in a logical manner.
by Tim Meacham

Mark Brooks, a software developer and working police officer, developed U.S. Cop, which is one of the best apps on the Android platform for officers. This app is chock full of information for the working cop, and it's organized in a logical manner.

When you launch the app, you'll see tabs labeled Index, Case Law, Training, and Messages. Under Index, you'll find links for updates to his program, News and Alerts, Traffic, DUI, Drugs, Spanish, and Miranda Warning.

As one example, the Traffic section has subsections for information concerning states that require front license plates, accident investigation helps, traffic-stop case law, a tire's size-speed difference, window tint laws, CMV (Commercial Moving Vehicle) out-of-service orders, CMV company snapshots, and LIDAR instructions.

There are subsections within the accident investigation section that provide interview reminders, as well as equations for speed, braking, and friction. The DUI section provides information and instructions on Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST).

Planned updates for this program include a report template, work calendar, photo evidence, state ID card security features, field interview cards, and Spanish voice translation. This app will be the patrolman's best friend once the developer completes his updates.

Link to article

COPYRIGHT © 2011   POLICE Magazine. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The Ohio Cop app only exists because it was the first app created for my home state. U.S. Cop was a derivative of Ohio Cop, with all the same content short of Ohio-specific material. There will be no other state-specific apps created (unless I move there).

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