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Review of ARC Welder powered by the Slant community.
ARC Welder converts APK files to ARC-powered Chrome apps.
- Android version: 4.4
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Developed by Google
Even though it's a developer preview, it's likely to evolve quickly as Google is developing it. Since Google is also behind Android, it makes sense to use a more official way of running APK. If they don't work, you may check with the developer so it may eventually work.
Pro Cross-platform
Works on Chrome 41+ on Windows, Mac, Chrome OS and Linux.
Pro Allows running apps in a Chrome web browser
It installs as a Chrome App and runs on most operating systems (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS), even thought x86 support will be put in maintenance mode soon.
Cons
Con Discontinued
Discontinued after December 2020.
Con Not all Google Play services are yet supported
ARC Welder supports OAuth2, Google Cloud Messaging , Google+ sign-in, Maps, Location, and Ads APIs from Google Play services.
Con Only supports "arm" apk files
"x86" apk files don't work as of 20150422.
Con Keyboard input is spotty
Con No accelerometer emulation
Con Orientation mode has to be selected before running the app
Con A single app can be loaded at a time
Commonly Compared
ARC Welder
vs