Guest Jack Holt Posted May 15, 2014 Posted May 15, 2014 One of the most frustrating things about being an Android user — regardless of how popular the OS is — is that app developers tend to flock to iOS first. A prime example of this would be the finally released Baldur’s Gate. Android users are seeing the first of the series where iOS users have access to the more popular Baldur’s Gate II. Someone much smarter — or with better understanding — than I would have to explain why this happens but the reality is, iOS users get a chance at certain apps before Android users. Well that may no longer be the case as an iOS compatibility layer has surfaced, allowing for users to run both Android and iOS apps at the same time. However before you run off to try it, I must warn you, it takes a bit of tinkering to get it to work, and even then it’s not a flawless experiment. In the video we have for you after the break, you can see that the architecture is a bit slow and it requires a bit more work. As the developers describe the project: Cider is an operating system compatibility architecture that can run applications built for different mobile ecosystems, iOS or Android, together on the same smartphone or tablet. Cider enhances the domestic operating system, Android, of a device with kernel-managed, per-thread personas to mimic the application binary interface of a foreign operating system, iOS, enabling it to run unmodified foreign binaries. This is accomplished using a novel combination of binary compatibility techniques including two new mechanisms: compile-time code adaptation, and diplomatic functions. Compile-time code adaptation enables existing unmodified foreign source code to be reused in the domestic kernel, reducing implementation effort required to support multiple binary interfaces for executing domestic and foreign applications. Diplomatic functions leverage per-thread personas, and allow foreign applications to use domestic libraries to access proprietary software and hardware interfaces. The project may never make it further than the experimental stage that it’s in, but the point is, is that there is a possibility of running Android and iOS apps together side-by-side. While fanboys and purists alike may scoff at the idea, the possibilities make this iPad Air and Nexus 7 carrying blogger a happy camper. Click here to view the embedded video. source: TechnoBuffalo Come comment on this article: Compatibility layer project brings iOS and Android apps together Visit TalkAndroid for Android news, Android guides, and much more! News via TalkAndroid
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