Arm processors Archives

AppWizard

October 7, 2026

Will Android apps struggle on Intel Googlebooks? Google and Intel offer different answers

Support for independent tech journalism is emphasized, with Chrome Unboxed encouraging contributions through its membership program. The text discusses the challenges of running Android applications on Intel versus ARM processors in the context of the new Googlebook OS, which is built on Android 17. Google has warned that Intel-based Googlebooks may face challenges with certain Android apps, particularly those designed for ARM processors, although 96.6% of the top 10,000 Android apps reportedly run well on Intel devices. Intel disputes the need for developer adjustments, promoting its Intel Bridge Technology as a solution for application compatibility and performance. The ongoing public disagreement highlights concerns for potential buyers regarding the performance of Intel-powered Googlebooks, especially for resource-intensive applications.

AppWizard

October 7, 2026

Googlebooks and Intel: Google’s Android app caveat

Google confirmed that most Android applications work well on both Intel and Qualcomm-powered Googlebooks, but some complex applications may need adjustments for optimal performance on Intel architecture. This need for tuning arises because many Android apps were originally designed for Arm processors. Google introduced five Googlebook models, three with Intel processors and two with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processors. The application binary interface (ABI) distinguishes how compiled code relates to specific processor platforms, with arm64-v8a for Arm CPUs and x86_64 for x86-64 CPUs, explaining why some complex apps may require tuning for Intel-based devices.

AppWizard

October 5, 2026

Some Android apps may struggle on Intel Googlebooks

Five brands launched Googlebook laptops in early October, with three models using Intel processors (Acer Googlebook 14, ASUS Googlebook 14, Lenovo Googlebook 15) and two using Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips (Dell XPS and HP models). The laptops became available for purchase on October 4 in the U.S. and October 5 in the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, and Australia. The Acer model is priced starting at 9 in the U.S. Initial demand has been strong, particularly for the Acer model. Google acknowledged that while most applications run smoothly on both platforms, some complex applications may require optimization on Intel. Users reliant on resource-intensive applications may want to consider waiting for reviews or choosing a Snapdragon model.

BetaBeacon

May 11, 2026

How to play Steam PC games on Android phones and tablets (for real)

Valve released Proton in 2018, a fork of Wine that improves Linux compatibility with Windows games. By 2024, it became possible to run full-blown PC games from 1997 to 2005 on phones with Snapdragon processors. In 2025, GameSir released GameHub, allowing users to play Steam games on Android devices. Other open-source projects like GameNative and GameHub Lite have since improved the gaming experience on Android devices.

BetaBeacon

April 20, 2026

Now you can run Steam games in Linux on some handhelds that ship with Android

- Valve has released Proton 11 beta 1, which allows you to run Windows games designed for x86 architecture on devices with Arm processors running Linux. - ROCKNIX, a Linux-based gaming operating system, has added support for Steam on handheld game consoles, allowing you to play PC games on these devices. - Not all PC games will work on these devices, especially those that require NVIDIA RTX graphics or use DirectX 12. - ROCKNIX can be installed on an SD card to use on Android handhelds without overwriting the original operating system, but performance may be better if installed on the internal storage.

Winsage

February 20, 2026

Hands on with Windows 11 26H1 and why this update is not meant for your PC

Microsoft has announced Windows 11 26H1, a release intended exclusively for new ARM devices launching in 2026, specifically those powered by the Snapdragon X2 series. This version is not a feature update for existing PCs and will not appear in Windows Update notifications for users on Intel or AMD hardware. Windows 11 26H1 is based on a new internal core designed for ARM silicon, referred to as a "hardware-optimized release," and may carry the codename Bromine. The OS Build number for 26H1 is 28020.1611, distinguishing it from previous updates. Key enhancements include full integration of semantic natural-language search within Settings, an increase in the FAT32 format limit from 32 GB to 2 TB, and UI refinements. Notable omissions include the removal of .NET Framework 3.5 as an optional feature and a safeguard preventing the System Preparation Tool from running in Safe Mode. Windows 11 26H2 is expected later in 2026 for existing PCs.

Winsage

February 11, 2026

“Windows 11 26H1” is a special version of Windows exclusively for new Arm PCs

The recent developments in Windows versions present challenges for app developers and IT professionals, particularly with the introduction of a new Windows version designed exclusively for the latest Arm PCs. This shift highlights Microsoft's commitment to Arm processors, moving away from its historical focus on x86 versions. The 24H2 update for Windows 10 and 11 introduced significant enhancements for Arm PCs, including an optimized x86-to-Arm translation layer called Prism, improving compatibility and performance for applications not originally designed for Arm. This update coincided with the launch of Qualcomm's Snapdragon X-series processors, leading to more Arm-native Windows applications being released by third-party developers. Microsoft's hardware strategy has shifted, as the new Surface PCs launched in mid-2024 now exclusively use Qualcomm processors, moving away from Intel chips. Since the 24H2 update, development on Arm and x86 versions of Windows has progressed at different rates, with certain features available on Arm versions earlier than on x86 systems. Windows 11 24H2 was also available on Arm PCs in retail stores months before being released to the broader PC ecosystem. Microsoft has been contacted for details on the upcoming Windows 11 26H1 update and its potential enhancements.

Winsage

January 12, 2026

VLC gets native support for Snapdragon-powered PCs — but its devs haven’t forgotten your ancient Windows XP rig

The latest update to VLC, versions 3.0.22 and 3.0.23, introduces native support for Arm processors, specifically for Windows ARM64, requiring a minimum of Windows 10 RS5 17763 / 1809. This update improves playback across various formats, enhances subtitle rendering, includes codec updates, introduces a Dark Mode user interface, allows users to manage playing files, and addresses multiple security issues. The Snapdragon X2 Plus chip outperforms Intel's Core Ultra 7 265U and 256V processors, delivering up to 3.5 times the CPU performance of the former and a 52% increase in multi-core performance compared to the latter. Microsoft reported that 90% of usage time on Arm-based PCs is dedicated to natively compiled applications.

BetaBeacon

November 17, 2025

Android games will appear on Steam

Valve has expanded the Steam ecosystem to support Android games with the introduction of the Steam Frame device, which allows developers to host their APKs on Steam.

BetaBeacon

November 13, 2025

Valve to add Android game support on Steam

Valve will soon support Android games and applications on Steam, allowing developers to publish Android builds directly on the platform without requiring heavy modifications.