Run mobile apps and games on your computer with customizable emulation and testing features
Run mobile apps and games on your computer with customizable emulation and testing features
Vote (621 votes)
Program license Free
Developer YouWave Inc
Version 5.11
Works under Windows
Vote
(621 votes)
Developer
YouWave Inc
Works under
Windows
Program license
Free
Version
5.11
Pros
- Virtual SD Card
- Android UI Emulation
- Test Apps for Android on PC
Cons
- Minor Stability Problems
- Not Fully Compatible
YouWave is a piece of software that lets you try out apps for the Android operating system on your PC via Android OS emulation. Using this software, you can play mobile games that were meant for Android directly on your PC. It also lets you try out social apps and other software for the Android before you actually install it on your physical Android device.
There are several other apps on the market that do the same thing YouWave does, including Andy OS and BlueStacks App Player. When you take advantage of one of these apps, you'll be able to preview both the functionality and aesthetic of any app through the desktop system before the software is transferred to the mobile device.
In the home version of YouWave, you'll get support for Android's Ice Cream Sandwich OS instead of the newest KitKat version. If you have an SD card reader hooked to your PC, the system can use that card to create a virtual SD card for the emulated Android device. The software also includes individual volume controls, dynamic rotations, and online multiplayer support.
When you first download and install YouWave, it will come with all the same apps as any other Android device. These include the settings, music, browser, and many others. You can download and install the Google Play app within the emulated software, and that will allow you to visit the store and install more apps. You can also install APKs to load new apps. While this process is certainly doable, it could be quite a bit easier. Other Android emulation apps make it a bit easier to download and install apps.
One of the biggest complaints about YouWave is the user interface. The control panel features a clunky, almost disorganized design, and the UI in general has an older aesthetic that many would find dull, boring, and outdated.
While there are a few issues with the overall stability of YouWave, the app works well enough to make it worth the download. External apps can be loaded onto the emulated phone, and they are usually simulated with exceptional quality. Of course, not every app runs well with the software, and apps designed for Android KitKat or any other system past Ice Cream Sandwich probably won't be compatible.
It's hard to say if the software is worth the effort it would take to download and install. At its core, YouWave is more than capable of performing that tasks it was designed to perform, but there are other free apps that perform the same functions with equal or greater quality. If you simply need to double or triple check a new app you've developed against several emulators, YouWave will provide a stable preview so you can be sure you've found all the bugs.
Pros
- Virtual SD Card
- Android UI Emulation
- Test Apps for Android on PC
Cons
- Minor Stability Problems
- Not Fully Compatible
Pros
- Creates an emulator on your computer that supports Android apps
- Works with many of the more popular apps, including paid and free apps
- Lets you test your own apps on your computer
- Includes a virtual SD card
- Looks exactly like the Android interface
Cons
- Only supports apps from your computer or the Google Play Store
- Is not compatible with all Android apps
- Doesn't work well with apps that have a lot of graphics
- Larger apps may suffer buffering and other problems
- Some apps may have serious stability issues
YouWave is one of the only programs around that lets you play games and access apps previously only available for Android devices on almost any computer.
Phones today typically feature a Windows, Apple, or Android operating system, but Apple and Android are the two most popular operating systems. When you have an Android phone, you might use apps every day that let you get driving directions, chat with friends and family, watch movies, and even play games. Many of those apps are not available for computers, but you can now use YouWave to access all those apps on your computer.
YouWave comes with an installation wizard that helps you easily install the program on your computer, and the wizard also gives you some help in regards to using it with your favorite apps. It comes loaded with some of the same apps that you use daily, including music players, games, video players, and even software apps.
Before you dream of using all your favorite apps though, keep in mind that YouWave is not compatible with all apps. Even if it runs some of your favorites, you may encounter some stability issues that cause the program to crash. Some users also experience buffering that makes those apps run slower than they would on a smartphone.
As it offers full support and integration with the Google Play Store, you can use the program to access popular apps, including both free and premium or paid apps. Many use YouWave because it functions as an emulator and lets them see how those apps will look and run on their computers. This gives you the chance to determine whether you should download and use those apps on a computer or if you should stick to using those apps on your phone.
You can even use this program to test some of the apps that you develop on your own. After designing an app on your computer, you can run it through this program to see how well it will work on a tablet or phone that uses an Android operating system. This helps you avoid issues and problems that might lead to poor or bad reviews and help you increase the popularity of your app. Whether you design apps or just want to use Android apps on your computer, YouWave can do both.
Pros
- Creates an emulator on your computer that supports Android apps
- Works with many of the more popular apps, including paid and free apps
- Lets you test your own apps on your computer
- Includes a virtual SD card
- Looks exactly like the Android interface
Cons
- Only supports apps from your computer or the Google Play Store
- Is not compatible with all Android apps
- Doesn't work well with apps that have a lot of graphics
- Larger apps may suffer buffering and other problems
- Some apps may have serious stability issues
